By Nicole Della-cava
Contributing Writer
Many University students and Lewisburg children got their versions of “How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World” signed by a popular author last Friday evening.
Marjorie Priceman, children’s book writer and illustrator, held a book signing at the Barnes & Noble at Bucknell University bookstore last week. Priceman, originally from Long Island, now lives in downtown Lewisburg.
“How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World” features an array of colors, and the informative yet fun plot makes this children’s book enjoyable for all readers. A little girl travels around the world looking for ingredients to make an apple pie. On the inside cover, a printed map shows the destinations the little girl visits throughout her travels. Each destination shows the ingredient that is native to and available in that area.
Priceman has been illustrating children’s books for 20 years and is still in the business. Some of her other illustrated books include “Paris in the Spring with Picasso,” “Hot Air,” “Emeline at the Circus” and “The Brand New Kid.”
“Illustrating has a lot of freedom in it–the authors hand me a manuscript, then I use my imagination to draw the sketches,” Priceman said.
According to Priceman, the illustration process takes a long time; after Priceman sends the writers her illustrations, the authors send back the sketches with Post-It note comments. More and more illustrators are turning to the computer to save time in the work process, but Priceman draws her illustrations freehand.
Her hand sketches make the books look vibrant and robust. She thinks illustrations done on the computer look flatter.
The Barnes & Noble Bookstore at Bucknell University frequently holds book signings. On Family Weekend, the University welcomed two other authors.