Andrea Davis Pinkney has been named the 2022 Kerlan Award winner. The Kerlan Award is given each year in recognition of an author or illustrator’s exceptional attainments in the creation of children’s literature and their generous contributions and support of the University of Minnesota Libraries’ Kerlan Collection of Children’s Literature
Summer learning loss is a concern for many parents and educators as students finish the school year and spend time away from the classroom during summer break. Lack of access to reading materials and continued education are two factors that often contribute to this loss of learning, but families can take steps on their own to support reading development this summer. Lisa Von Drasek, curator of the Kerlan Collection of Children’s Literature at the University of Minnesota, answers questions about how to keep kids reading this summer.
The classic children’s book Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, Illustrated by Clement Hurd was published 75 years ago. The Kerlan holds Clement Hurd’s papers focusing on his work as an illustrator and author of children’s books. The collection contains production material for 89 published and unpublished titles generously donated by himself and his son Thatcher.
The series of Mr. Men and Little Miss books for children started 50 years ago with a tickle, as described by Liza Weisstuch in an…
Advice for would-be illustrators: “When in doubt, choose purple,” says renowned children’s book illustrator Ariane Dewey, who recently received the 2021 Kerlan Award — and long-delayed recognition for work early in her career.
To create her illustrations, Margaret Chodos-Irvine transferred color from one surface to another, building the images up gradually from flat layers of color. For her linoleum block prints (linocuts), she cut the image into sheets of battleship linoleum, rolled ink onto the surface, and printed the image onto paper using an etching press.
Illustrator Dan Santat’s style ranges from detailed to quite spare, but always seems to have a freshness and snap, in part because of his lively linework, rich colors, and loose, painterly textures. Santat used to paint in acrylics. He moved into a process of starting pieces in acrylic and developing the finish in Photoshop; and now does many of his illustrations directly in Photoshop.
James McMullan, illustrator of “I Stink,” was born in China. He went to elementary school in India and loved to draw. He staved off the tough kids by being able to draw Wonder Woman. When McMullan was 17, he and his mother immigrated to the United States. He studied for a year at the Cornish School of Allied Arts in Seattle and then volunteered for the United States Army (where he illustrated diagrams of where to position propaganda loudspeakers on Sherman tanks.) After his service, McMullan moved to New York City and continued his art education at Pratt Institute.
Virginia Lee Burton was the author and illustrator of classic picture books. The winner of the 1942 Caldecott Medal for The Little House, Burton’s books include heroes and happy endings, lively illustrations, and a dash of nostalgia.
“The Very Hungry Caterpillar”: “Like the caterpillar in the story, this well-loved picture book underwent a major metamorphosis, having begun life as a manuscript of uncertain promise titled A Week with Willi Worm.” —Leonard Marcus.
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