Drawing From Memory
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/4/9/13491848/2559836.jpg?147)
Written & Illustrated by: Allen Say
Publisher: Scholastic Press Copyright Date: 2011
ISBN: 978-0-545-17686-6
Genre: Biography Format: Picture Book
Major Awards Received:
Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal , 2012 Honor Book U.S.
School Library Journal's Battle of the Kids' Books, 2012 Nominee
Summary: How would you feel if all you wanted to do was draw and your father told you that you couldn't because artists were lazy and scruffy people? This was the way of life for Allen Say until he decided he would put his drawing aside to study for a position at the Aoyama Middle School. He lived on his own at age 12 and made some life changing decisions.
Personal response: After reading this book, I realized how hard life must have been for Allen Say. He wanted to do what he loved but knew it would not please his father. Living on his own when he was 12 is an incredibly brave thing to do. I admire the fact that he knew he wanted to be artist from a very young age. The fact that this book had illustrations that Allen drew from memory was fascinating.
Classroom connections: I would introduce this book to the class by saying that it is a biography. I would explain what a biography is and that you can write one at anytime in your life. I would then read the book to the class. After this I would ask the class to write a biography about themselves. I would also ask them to draw some pictures that go along with their biography. I will save these until the end of the year and repeat the process. Then I would have the students compare the biographies to show how much they have grown in the school year.
Publisher: Scholastic Press Copyright Date: 2011
ISBN: 978-0-545-17686-6
Genre: Biography Format: Picture Book
Major Awards Received:
Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal , 2012 Honor Book U.S.
School Library Journal's Battle of the Kids' Books, 2012 Nominee
Summary: How would you feel if all you wanted to do was draw and your father told you that you couldn't because artists were lazy and scruffy people? This was the way of life for Allen Say until he decided he would put his drawing aside to study for a position at the Aoyama Middle School. He lived on his own at age 12 and made some life changing decisions.
Personal response: After reading this book, I realized how hard life must have been for Allen Say. He wanted to do what he loved but knew it would not please his father. Living on his own when he was 12 is an incredibly brave thing to do. I admire the fact that he knew he wanted to be artist from a very young age. The fact that this book had illustrations that Allen drew from memory was fascinating.
Classroom connections: I would introduce this book to the class by saying that it is a biography. I would explain what a biography is and that you can write one at anytime in your life. I would then read the book to the class. After this I would ask the class to write a biography about themselves. I would also ask them to draw some pictures that go along with their biography. I will save these until the end of the year and repeat the process. Then I would have the students compare the biographies to show how much they have grown in the school year.