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Illustrating a Classic—Bringing New Life to an Old Tale
My well-worn desk dictionary includes in its twenty definitions of the word "classic" the following: "adj. of enduring interest,
quality, or style" and "n. an author or a literary work of the first rank, esp. one of demonstrably enduring quality."
While accurate, these meanings lack a certain human dimension caused by trying to define the undefinable (it's a word; I looked it up in my
dictionary). You may as well try to define "good poetry" or "good art"—or just "good." You just can't do it.
Subsequently, I don't have a formula for reinventing classics. I'm not even sure what a "classic" is . . . despite the twenty
definitions at my disposal. I suppose it has something to do with the quality that the average man has in common with others of his kind. The author (and illustrator) have to strike a chord in harmony with many
ordinary people across time. Most successful authors/illustrators must become actors as they assume the roles of the various characters in their stories. They have to literally become the characters in their
imaginations. They must become method authors and illustrators.
As for myself, I look at each project as a new challenge. I don't set out to create a classic—I just do what seems right to me at the time. I
always look for ways to expand the plot beyond the obvious. The characters surrounding the major actors in my stories are not limited to the story line. They achieve their own identities. In their own subplots,
they compete with the main characters for the readers' attention.
My alligators frolic through Cajun Night Before Christmas, my cats and mice pursue their own activities in the original Night Before Christmas,
a mouse and the family dog vie with Buh Rabbit and Buh Fox for page time in Gullah Night Before Christmas, my latest effort, and so on and on with my unnamed characters in my other books. They go their own ways,
oblivious to—and sometimes in direct contradiction to—the main plot.
These characters are people I have known in some form or another in my own life. I transfer them to their new settings unidealized, with all
their weaknesses and foibles intact.
I also research the backgrounds and settings carefully to make them as accurate as I can. I find that the contrast of reality and fantasy
contributes to the humor and appeal of the stories.
So, once again I must admit that I have no magic formula for converting or re-interpreting classic works. I can only tell you what works for me.
Each artist will have to find his own way, his own method. And he should NEVER stop practicing.
Of course, that advice isn't exactly revolutionary. I guess you'd call it classic. •
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About the Author:
Widely acclaimed as the South's leading illustrator of juvenile books, James Rice now has a total of more than one million books in
print—a record that ranks him with top children's authors and illustrators nationally.
Cajun Night Before Christmas (1973), Rice's first book, with more than 435,000 hardcover copies in print, been nationally recognized as a
classic in its genre. Rice has since lent his talents to Pelican Publishing Company's Night Before Christmas series, which includes the tremendously popular An Irish Night Before Christmas, with more than 45,000
in print, Redneck Night Before Christmas, and the new Gullah Night Before Christmas.
James Rice's other books are too numerous to list, but several are set in his home state of Texas. Trail Drive is just one of his books
that teaches children about cowboys and Western life as it entertains them.
James Rice was born on a farm in Coleman County, Texas, and currently resides in Hico, Texas. He holds degrees in art from the University
of Texas and Howard Payne College and has taught art and music at both the high school and college levels.
When not working on new books, Rice enjoys visiting schools throughout the country to teach children the joys of writing and
illustrating.
Readers may order toll free from Pelican at 1-800-843-1724 or 1-888-5-PELICAN.
To contact this author or illustrator, please use the information for his or her publisher provided on our list of CBC member publishers.
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