Today marks the birthday of one of the most versatile and accomplished illustrators working today, Paul O. Zelinsky. My major problem in writing about Paul was deciding which of his many superb books to feature.
Born in 1953 in Evanston, Illinois, Paul lived in several locations because his father was a college professor. He discovered that by being “class artist” he had a skill that allowed him to connect with other students.
While at Yale Paul became a student of Maurice Sendak, who was teaching there at the time. Although I missed Paul’s first book, I became aware of his talent with The Maid and the Mouse and the Odd-Shaped House, published in 1981, still fresh and original today. Paul began to make frequent appearances on the New York Times best illustrated list and won Caldecott Honors for Rika Lesser’s Hansel and Gretel, Anne Isaac’s Swamp Angel, and his own adaptation of Rumplestiltskin. Paul would eventually win illustration’s top award for Rapunzel.
Paul’s very popular The Wheels on the Bus, a book with movable parts, has gone sailing into classic status. In the hands of Paul Zelinsky the novelty format is never gimmicky or cheap. Wheels turn and doors open; wipers go swish, swish; and riders go bumpety, bump. The final double page spread shows the trip made by the bus. The jaunty text of the song keeps children reading and singing along.
Part of Paul’s great skill has been his ability to adapt his style to fit the project. One book simply does not look like another. As he said in The Essential Guide to Children’s Books and Their Creators, the Wheels on the Bus song reminded him of bubble gum: “The pictures needed plenty of rhythm, and the sense of sinking your teeth into something. I thought thick oil paint might give that chewy feeling. And the palette of colors I eventually came up with does, I think, give some of the same kind of pleasure that sweets do.”
The book certainly has given pleasure to thousands of preliterate readers and their parents. Although the book has been manufactured with thick, sturdy pages, I always recommend buying two copies of this book. One will probably be worn out before long.
Happy birthday Paul. You have created one great book after another – all made with care, attention to detail, and a belief that children deserve the best.
Here’s a page from The Wheels on the Bus:
