Review for "Drawing from Memory" by Allen Say

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Say, Allen. Drawing from Memory. New York: Scholastic Press, 2011.  ISBN 9780545176866

PLOT SUMMARY

This book is an autobiography of famous artist and illustrator, Allen Say. His story is one of a young boy, struggling to grow as an artist in a post-WWII Japanese society where drawing was viewed as frivolous and childish. When his family chooses to send him to live on his own to attend prep school and become a “serious student,” Say’s artistic journey truly begins. He manages to do well in school as well as learn under Noro Shinpei, a famous Japanese cartoonist.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Say takes a graphic novel approach to tell the story of his life as an artist. He uses a combination of pencil sketches, line drawings, paintings and photographs to give the reader a first-hand look into his world and Japanese culture. The book almost takes on the appearance of an artist’s sketchbook or scrapbook. 

These illustrations provide cultural insights that cannot be expressed through text alone. For example, when Say moves out to go to school, his grandmother “hired a man to move [his] things.” Without an illustration, one would assume a moving truck was involved, but Say’s drawing of a man pulling a two-wheeled cart of his belongings tells the reader more about Japanese society in the 1940s. 

In this story, Say uses a voice that is very personal and sometimes even comical so that the reader feels as if he/she is sitting at a table listening to his stories unfold. At the end of the book, he leaves the reader wanting to know what came next when he moved to America. This is the sign of an author who understands how to form a relationship with his reader.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

ALA Notable Children’s Book 2012

2012 Robert F. Sibert Medal Honor

From School Library Journal 2011: “Readers of all ages will be inspired by the young Say's drive and determination that set him on a successful career path.”

From Booklist 2011: “this is a powerful title that is both culturally and personally resonant”

CONNECTIONS

Gather other artist biography books to read such as:

•                    Steptoe, Javaka. Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat.  ISBN 978-0316213882

•                      O’Connor, Jane. Henri Matisse: Drawing with Scissors. ISBN 978-0448425191

Gather other Allen Say books to read such as:

•                      The Inker’s Shadow. ISBN 978-0545437769

•                      Grandfather’s Journey. ISBN 978-0547076805

Use the story to compliment a unit on Japanese Cultural or during a unit about World War II.

Use this story as an example of an alternative way to write an autobiography. Assign students to write their own autobiography using a graphic novel approach.

Read this book as a part of an artist study or at the beginning of a Cartooning Unit.