I'd like to introduce you to one of my favorite Chicago authors, Matthew Cordell.
Why is he my favorite? Let's play a little game:
Q: What does the author do?
A: Write the words!
Q: What does an illustrator do?
A: Make the pictures!
Q: What does Matthew Cordell do?
A: Both!
That's right, Matthew Cordell is an author and an illustrator.
When Cordell writes and illustrates, he often chooses to use his words and images to tell stories about families.
In Wish, he tells the heartwarming story of two elephants whose greatest wish is for a baby of their own. Another Brother is the story of a young sheep who wishes he were the only baby in his family. And in Hello! Hello!, all Lydia wants is for her family to put down their electronic devices and step outside.
When Matthew Cordell illustrates, he uses his images to help an author tell their story.
In Bob, Not Bob!, his zany illustrations make this readaloud about Little Louie and his terrible cold laugh-out-loud funny. In The Only Fish in the Sea, the illustrations expand the story of two kids who set out on a quest to rescue an unwanted goldfish. In Gone Fishing, a novel in verse, his illustrations add extra bounce to the rollicking text.
And, sometimes, Matthew Cordell can tell a story with no words at all.
Wolf in the Snow is a wordless picture book that tells the story of a little girl and a wolf cub who are lost in a blizzard.
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