Review: Some Writer! The Story of E.B. White by Melissa Sweet

Goodreads Blurb

“SOME PIG,” Charlotte the spider’s praise for Wilbur, is just one fondly remembered snippet from E. B. White’s Charlotte’s Web. In Some Writer!, the two-time Caldecott Honor winner Melissa Sweet mixes White’s personal letters, photos, and family ephemera with her own exquisite artwork to tell his story, from his birth in 1899 to his death in 1985. Budding young writers will be fascinated and inspired by the journalist, New Yorker contributor, and children’s book author who loved words his whole life. This authorized tribute is the first fully illustrated biography of E. B. White and includes an afterword by Martha White, E. B. White’s granddaughter.  

My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars

When art is combined with a biography, it becomes a work of art. It is absolutely the most spectacular biography I have ever read with pictures of E.B. White and beautifully created scrapbooks with vivid illustrations. Any lover of E.B. White books and poems should definitely read this wonderful book. Melissa worked very hard to create a book that simply gave us Mr. White’s true meaning of life through his thoughts, stories, pictures, and most of all, his wonderful children’s books. White was a free spirit who loved animals, the environment, and calmness. He loved to share with others his poems and stories while not looking to receive anything in return. He was a person who lived simply and enjoyed sharing life. I highly recommend this book to everyone.

Author Biography

Melissa Sweet grew up in a suburban neighborhood that had lots of kids, kick-the-can games on summer nights, and Percy’s candy store right nearby.

Later she received her Associate’s Degree from Endicott Junior College in Beverly, Massachusetts, and studied art at the Kansas City Art Institute.

Sweet began began illustrating children’s books in 1986 and has illustrated more than 60 books. Her work can also be seen in magazines, on posters, children’s toys and food packaging.

Sweet’s signature style of whimsical watercolors is often enhanced by collage art when she finds objects and details that are appropriate to the story.

Sweet lives with her husband and step-daughter in a small coastal Maine village near a working harbor. Above her drafting table there’s a quote from the poet Mary Oliver: “To pay attention, this is our endless and proper work.”

Sweet says “That’s good, because I often find myself taking walks, gardening, biking, but I’m taking it all in and it somehow shows up in my books.

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