Celebrating the Artistry of Black Illustrators
One of the key goals of Books for Our Children is to introduce affirmative children’s literature that features high quality art. In honor of Black History Month and the artistry that Black illustrators bring to children’s literature, this week’s books feature the work of artists who have received the Caldecott Medal, awarded to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children. The Caldecott is considered the highest honor presented to a children’s book illustrator. Established in 1938, only five Black illustrators have been awarded the Caldecott Medal: Vashti Harrison, the first woman to receive the Medal (2024), Kadir Nelson (2020), Javaka Steptoe (2017), Jerry Pinkney (2010), and Leo Dillon with his wife Diane Dillon (1976 and 1977).
Joyful Reading!
Big
Written and Illustrated by Vashti Harrison
2024 Caldecott Medal
2024 Coretta Scott King Book Award Author and Illustrator Honors
2023 National Book Award Finalist
As a baby and young child the central character of this book was praised for being a “big girl” who always put her toys away and said, “please” and “thank you.” She was a “kind,” “caring,” “compassionate” child, and all was good. As she grew older, being a “big girl” became a negative thing – adults criticized her, children teased and taunted her. As time went on, she felt, “out of place,” “judged,” and “invisible.” The illustrations complement the shift in mood, moving from pinks to grey and exaggerating the girl’s size in comparison to her peers. The climax of the story comes when in several wordless double-page spreads the little girl’s body takes up more and more space. She begins to cry and within the puddle of her tears are all the words used to describe her, both positive and negative. In a show of courage, she returns the negative words to those who used them against her. A powerful book about the impact of marginalization on young children and the transformation that can emerge from self-acceptance. In her author’s note, Vashti Harrison reflects on her own experiences with anti-fat bias during her childhood.
School Library Journal: “A ‘Big’ Moment for the Caldecott: Vashti Harrison is First Black Woman to Win Medal?”
The Undefeated
Written by Kwame Alexander, Illustrated by Kadir Nelson
2017 Caldecott Medal
2017 Coretta Scott King Book Illustrator Award
2017 Newbery Honor
The Undefeated is a brilliant collaboration between award-winning poet and author Kwame Alexander and illustrator Kadir Nelson. Alexander’s lyrical poem chronicles the trails, tribulations, and triumphs of people of African descent in the United States from slavery to the present day, honoring the “unforgettable,” “unflappable,” “undeniable,” and the “unspeakable” events in Black history. Nelson’s richly textured paintings capture the emotion evoked in Alexander’s prose, featuring well known figures in Black history (artists, musicians, athletes, civil right activists, inventors, and innovators), as well as everyday people. The end of the book contains information about the people featured in the book (the majority of whom are unnamed in the prose). Alexander provides an afterward in which he reminds his readers that “Black. Lives. Matter.” and encourages them to “keep rising” like the cranes that are featured in Nelson’s illustrations.
Radiant Child : The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat
Written and Illustrated by Javaka Steptoe
2017 Caldecott Medal
2017 Coretta Scott King Book Illustrator Award
This book chronicles the events and experiences that shaped Jean-Michel Basquiat’s (1960-1988) early life and development as an artist. Steptoe explores his relationships with his parents – his father’s love of jazz, and is mother’s love of art and encouragement of her son’s interest in making art. The book also reveals how being struck by a car as a child and the long recouperation in the hospital, resulted in Basquiat’s development of art focused on the mechanics of the human body, as well as the impact of his mother’s mental illness, institutionalization, and separation from her son. Steptoe’s bold, richly textured mixed media collage illustrations pay tribute to Basquiat’s artistic style and inspiration.
To learn more about Jean-Michel Basquiat visit basquiat.com. The site includes images of his work, links to films about his life, upcoming exhibitions of his work, and more.
The Lion and the Mouse
Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney (1939-2021)
2010 Caldecott Medal
In this nearly wordless rendition of the classic Aesop fable, a mouse escapes an owl, only to find itself climbing up the tale and back of a male lion. Somewhat bewildered, the lion lets the mouse go. The lion is later ensnared in a rope and is rescued by the mouse. In this wordless format, this book provides endless opportunities to explore the moral to this beloved fable. Jerry Pinkney’s illustrations are magnificent, capturing the details of the lion and mouse, and imparting a bit of human emotion into their expressions.
Learn about Pinkney family contribution to children’s literature: The Pinkney Family: In the Tradition.
Why Mosquitos Buzz in People’s Ears: A West African Tale
Written by Verna Aardema (1911 -2000)
Illustrated by Leo Dillon (1933 - 2012) - and Diane Dillon
1977 Caldecott Medal
This delightful, African pourquoi tale traces the history of why mosquitoes buzz in people's ears. The mosquito tells a tall tale to the Iguana, who plugs his ears upon hearing such nonsense. This sets off a chain reaction of events and misunderstandings between the creatures of the jungle, with the result of Mother Owl’s refusal to hoot to wake the sun. Eventually all is resolved, but the mosquito, worried that the animals are still angry at her, whines in people’s ears asking, “Zeee! Is everyone still angry at me?” The Dillons’ vibrant watercolor, pastel, and ink illustrations provide a magnificent backdrop for this often humorous tale.
Beyond the Books
Art plays a profound role in children’s development and well-being. Creating opportunities for children to express themselves through art fosters creativity and reduces stress. As we see with some of the Caldecott award winners, art can be created with non-traditional materials (found objects, fabric, and papers scraps, etc.). Exposing children to art is also important to communicate its importance in our lives. Many art museums have special exhibits and activities for children, and larger museums have special programming for children.
The National Gallery of Art has prepared an interactive website Black History Month: Celebrate Black Art & Artists featuring virtual exhibits, artist interviews, videos of prominent artists creating art, poets responding to visual arts and much more. The National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) has selected “African Americans and the Arts” as the theme for the museum’s online and in-person offerings in celebration of Black History month. Visit the NMAAHC website and explore the range of activities available online and at the museum. For people in the Washington, DC area, a visit to the exhibits and events would be a great opportunity to inspire young artists. Here is a directory of Art Museums in the United States that allows you to search by state.