Conclusion

Background image retreived from: Ivoryspring.wordpress.com

While Richard Scarry and Paul O. Zelinsky are both successful in their own right, each saw success manifest itself in very different ways. RS created a brand for himself, selling millions of copies of his books. He reached the very youngest readers in a way to not only underscore what was important to them, but in an engaging and innovative way. Scarry looked at his own struggles in school and, understanding the importance of literacy, synthesized his experiences into an entirely new format of children’s books. Through this, he helped publishers understand that toddlers and preschoolers had not yet been targeted with their own sub-genre of books, thereby opening up an entirely new division in children’s literature, illustration and publishing. Through his creativity and ability to enchant children, he built an empire, selling over 100 million copies of his books, spurring the development of an animated show, and countless branded items such as shirts, plush toys, and board games. Scarry became a millionaire many times over, but never won any awards for his illustrations.

Image retrieved from PaulOZelinsky.com

Zelinsky, on the other hand, has won countless awards and accolades. He continues to stretch himself to new heights with each and every new book he illustrates. As a result of his supportive and enriching upbringing, he has developed the courage to explore various techniques, utilize unusual materials, and innovate new methods. His innate curiosity gives him the impetus to not just study the visual aspects of an item so that he can incorporate it into his art, but to truly understand its mechanics, uses, history, and reasoning. This holistic approach gives his art, whether it is realistic or imaginative in nature, incredible depth and emotion; it brings the text to life and helps his viewers develop a much deeper relationship with the plots, the characters, and the setting.

It is important to recognize how both Zelinsky and Scarry symbiotically utilized their talent, innovation and adoration of their craft to create such different, yet equally impactful, illustrations. Each harnessed their backgrounds, influences and perspectives to create their visions, to share their creativity with the world, to become successful illustrators. But perhaps what speaks most strongly to their success is that both Richard Scarry and Paul O. Zelinsky are beloved by their viewers.