The Art of Ramona Quimby

Since Beverly Cleary published the first Ramona Quimby book in 1955, the adventures of her iconic heroine have been brought to life by five different artists: Louis Darling, Alan Tiegreen, Joanne Scribner, Tracy Dockray, and Jacqueline Rogers. This book celebrates their timeless work. Readers can compare multiple interpretations of iconic scenes (remember the infamous egg-cracking incident?), read letters between Darling and Cleary, and learn the stories behind the illustrations. Excerpts from the books and three essays illuminate the series’ narrative and artistic impact. Packed with rich content and nostalgia, this is a gorgeous homage to a classic of children’s literature.

“"This fascinating book presents scenes from the Beezus and Ramona books and then shows how each artist interpreted them. With this book you can relive your favorite Ramona moments and get a lesson in art appreciation at the same time." -- Minneapolis Star-Tribune -- -”

"Chances are, if you ask a Beverley Cleary fan to picture Ramona Quimby, they've got a strong image in mind. Well, their Ramona may be different than mine, and that's perfectly fine! There have been no fewer than five major illustrators over the course of our beloved heroine's 65-year reign--from Louis Darling's elegant ink drawings to Tracy Dockray's flat gray-shaded cartoons--and their diversity reemphasizes the timelessness of the stories. Featuring full-color illustrations and insightful essays by Annie Barrows and Jacqueline Rogers, The Art of Ramona Quimby is a must-have for fans of all stripes." --Kirkus Reviews
"The true pleasure of this retrospective is that it highlights key moments from the books, in chronological order, and compares the various illustrators' ways of depicting them. We see the same sequence drawn in different eras (with different fashions and hairstyles); we see varying unscripted reactions on the characters' faces, and a wide range of demeanors. We see situations from different angles and perspectives." --the New York Times
"This fascinating book presents scenes from the Beezus and Ramona books and then shows how each artist interpreted them. With this book you can relive your favorite Ramona moments and get a lesson in art appreciation at the same time." --Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Anna Katz is a writer based in Seattle.

Jacqueline Rogers illustrated the Ramona Quimby series in 2013-14. She lives in Spencertown, NY.

Annie Barrows is the author of the Ivy + Bean series, among other bestsellers. She lives in Northern California.

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