Here at Read-Aloud Revival, we’re in the thick of getting a huge project together for you. We are launching our own publishing imprint, Waxwing Books.
Our first release is a picture book, written by me, and illustrated by none other than the gorgeously talented artist, Breezy Brookshire.
It’s calledA Little More Beautiful: The Story of a Garden. August 10th is the big day. That’s the day you’ll be able to pre-order the book on Kickstarter and get some pre-order exclusives, like a brand new book bag and some other goodies.
Make sure you’re on our email list so you don’t miss it!
While we get those pre-orders ready for you, we’re revisiting some Special Edition podcasts. These are my all-time favorites.
This one is fabulous to listen to as a family, so if you happen to be road tripping together, play it in the car. Enjoy!
Meet Robert McCloskey
In today’s Special Edition of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast, you’ll meet the man behind Make Way for Ducklings. Robert McCloskey was the first to win two Caldecott Awards, and his books are arguably among the most celebrated picture books of all time.
His most popular picture book wouldn’t stay on the page, either. His ducks became permanent sculptures fixed in Boston Public Garden, and even made a way for international diplomacy as part of the START Treaty between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. in 1991.
A picture book is a powerful piece of art.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- what it was like having Robert McCloskey for a Dad
- one of the hardest parts of his life as a successful artist
- what his picture books gave the world
Think you love Make Way for Ducklings? Just wait till you meet the man who wrote them onto the page.
Sal McCloskey and Paul Zelinksy at Boston Public Garden
Duckling Day Parade! (That’s Paul Zelinsky in the hat, and Sal McCloskey in the overalls)
Sarah’s daughter, Allison, paying a visit to the ducks in Boston Public Garden, June 2021
Sarah with the ducklings, June 2021
Sarah and daughter, Allison, with sculptor Nancy Schön, June 2021
Listener Guide
Use the time stamps below to skip to any part of the podcast:
02:52Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey08:01Let’s meet Robert McCloskey12:48Bob goes to New York17:14The fame was hard for him. So hard.21:40Jane McCloskey remembers her dad23:02Nancy Schön’s sculptures in Boston Public Garden30:46What was he like?32:54‘I just forgot to fill it in.’35:57The affirmation of home38:57Take a farewell look…
Links from this episode:
- The biography about Robert McCloskey by Gary D. Schmidt
- Weston Woods video about Robert McCloskey (20 min)
- Robert McCloskey: A Private Life in Words and Pictures by Jane McCloskey
- The website of Nancy Schön, sculptor
- Make Way for Nancy, by Nancy Schön
- Ducks on Parade! edited by Nancy Schön
Don't Miss these Books by Robert McCloskey: Nothing Found
More free resources and booklists
Get the best episodes and reources from the Read-Aloud Revival
Keep an eye on your inbox! We'll keep you posted whenever we have a new podcast episode or a great free booklist or resource for you.
There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.
Email Address
I'd like to receive the free email course.
Yes!
Powered by ConvertKit
/ Layout / .ck_form.ck_minimal { / divider image / background: #f9f9f9; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em; overflow: hidden; color: #666; font-size: 16px; border: solid 1px #d1d1d1; -webkit-box-shadow: none; -moz-box-shadow: none; box-shadow: none; clear: both; margin: 20px 0px; text-align: center; }
.ck_form.ck_minimal h3.ck_form_title { text-align: center; margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-size: 28px; }
.ck_form.ck_minimal h4 { text-align: center; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-transform: uppercase; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; padding-top: 0px; margin-top: 0px; }
.ck_form.ck_minimal p { padding: 0px; }
.ck_form, .ck_form * { -webkit-box-sizing: border-box; -moz-box-sizing: border-box; box-sizing: border-box; }
.ck_form.ck_minimal .ck_form_fields { width: 100%; float: left; padding: 5%; } / Form fields /
.ck_errorArea { display: none; / temporary / }
ck_success_msg {
padding: 10px 10px 0px; border: solid 1px #ddd; background: #eee; }
.ck_form.ck_minimal input[type="text"], .ck_form.ck_minimal input[type="email"] { font-size: 18px; padding: 10px 8px; width: 68%; border: 1px solid #d6d6d6; / stroke / -moz-border-radius: 3px; -webkit-border-radius: 3px; border-radius: 3px; / border radius / background-color: #fff; / layer fill content / margin-bottom: 5px; height: auto; float: left; margin: 0px; margin-right: 2%; height: 42px; }
.ck_form input[type="text"]:focus, .ck_form input[type="email"]:focus { outline: none; border-color: #aaa; }
.ck_form.ck_minimal .ck_subscribe_button { width: 100%; color: #fff; margin: 0px; padding: 11px 0px; font-size: 18px; background: #6fc171; -moz-border-radius: 3px; -webkit-border-radius: 3px; border-radius: 3px; / border radius / cursor: pointer; border: none; text-shadow: none; width: 30%; float: left; height: 42px; }
.ck_form.ck_minimal .ck_guarantee { color: #626262; font-size: 12px; text-align: center; padding: 15px 0px 0px; display: block; clear: both; } .ck_form .ck_powered_by { display: block; color: #aaa; font-size: 12px; }
.ck_form .ck_powered_by:hover { display: block; color: #444; }
.ck_converted_content { display: none; padding: 5%; background: #fff; }
.ck_form.ck_minimal.width400 .ck_subscribe_button, .ck_form.ck_minimal.width400 input[type="email"] { width: 100%; float: none; margin-top: 5px; }
.ck_slide_up, .ck_modal, .ck_slide_up .ck_minimal, .ck_modal .ck_minimal { min-width: 400px; }
.page .ck_form.ck_minimal { margin: 50px auto; max-width: 600px; }
Love this episode?
Share it with a friend. Thank you!
Visit Read-Aloud Revival ® with Sarah Mackenzie
