Bill Peet: an Autobiography/Bill Peet/190 pages

While this is a childrens book and was a Caldecott Honor Book, it will also be enjoyed by adult readers. Bill Peet, illustrator of many beloved children's books, tells his story from boyhood to parenthood with an emphasis on the time he worked for Walt Disney. He starts out telling about his life as a boy in Indiana, fun on his taciturn grandfather's farm, an absentee father who just showed up when he needed money, a mom who taught to support her family, making it through the Depression, struggling as a student, surviving the 27 years in the Walt Disney studios and finally his achievement as a reknowned illustrator of books. The story of the years with Walt Disney are highly revealing...almost cathartic in nature. What every reader will gain is how we are constantly recreated by our lives but also formed by our childhood. And the best thing of all, the book is filled with wonderful Bill Peet illustrations on each and every page. I am sooooo glad I read this!