Big Machines: The Story of Virginia Lee Burton - Hardcover

★ "The beautiful symbiosis of text and art works on several levels--as a biography, a study of the artist's creative process, and a demonstration of the themes of change and survival evident in Burton's picture books. Alive, bursting with color and action, this volume introduces Virginia Lee Burton to a new generation of big machine enthusiasts." --Kirkus, starred review

★ ". . . [E]nchanting portrayal of Virginia Lee Burton . . . Prime material for classroom author studies and a lively, imaginative introduction to Burton's classic picture books." --Booklist, starred review

"Burton's fans will enjoy teasing out the visual references to her work, both in Rocco's use of color and form (including several circular vignettes), while feeling intimately connected to how these treasured stories came into being." --Publishers Weekly

"Anyone even passingly familiar with the Burton canon will appreciate Rocco's close emulation of Burton's work; he goes a step further, though, by casting Jinnee and the boys as players in a story done in her visual style." --Bulletin

"This is a lovely tribute, both to a marvelous creator of books for children as well as the creative process itself. -Recommended for most -picture book -biography collections." -School Library Journal

"Rocco's paintings of the artist at work and his replicas of her illustrations are masterful... [Big Machines] provides an intriguing, loving introduction to a picture-book icon." -Horn Book

In this loving tribute to Virginia Lee Burton, the New York Times best-selling creators Sherri Duskey Rinker and John Rocco pay homage to the storied life of one of the most beloved creators in children’s literature.  Everyone in Folly Cove knows Virginia Lee as “Jinnee.” With her magical wands she can draw whatever she imagines, but for her sons Aris and Michael, she draws the most wonderful characters of all: BIG MACHINES with friendly names like Mary Anne, Maybelle, and Katy. Her marvelous magical wands can make anything move—even a cheerful Little House.