Jerry Pinkney
Jerry Pinkney was born in
Philadelphia in 1939.
Pinkney suffered from
learning disabilities which
made school difficult. He
compensated with his art and
with incredible support from
his family and the community.
At age 11 he was drawing
while working at a newspaper
stand. A local cartoonist
befriended him and showed
Jerry that it was possible to
make a living as an artist.
Pinkney earned a scholarship
to attend the Philadelphia
Museum College of Art.
Pinkney illustrated his first of
over 100 children’s books in
1964. He is known for his
watercolor paintings, created
with pencil, colored pencils
and watercolor. His style is
realistic and is characterized
by rich details. In addition to
children’s books, Pinkney’s
art has appeared in museums,
magazines, greeting cards,
record album covers and a
series of U.S. postage stamps.
Pinkney has often
collaborated with his wife,
writer and artist Gloria Jean
Pinkney. They raised their
four children surrounded by
music and art and encouraged
their interests. One son is an
artist specializing in scratch
art and another is a
photographer. Both
collaborate with their wives
on books projects.
Goin’ Someplace Special (2001)
By Patricia C. McKissack
Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney
‘Tricia Ann braves a number of obstacles to
get to the public library which is one of the
few integrated places in town.
(Coretta Scott King Award, 2002)
The Ugly Duckling (1999)
Adapted and Illustrated
by Jerry Pinkey
The poor baby spends a year isolated as
“the ugly duckling” until he turns into a
beautiful swan.
(Caldecott Honor Book, 2000)
Black Cowboy Wild Horses: A true story
(1998)
By Julius Lester
Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney
Based upon the chronicles of Bob Lemons,
a former slave, as he tracks wild horses
across the plains.
On his craft:
“My father loved wood and carpentry. What I remember most
fondly about him is the joy he took in the things he made. If you
look at how I work, it’s very much like woodworking. I need to
touch things. I approach my work as a craft. He worked with
tools and wood. I work with a pencil or brush and paper. But it’s
one and the same.”
On working outside of book illustration:
“I wanted to show that an African-American artist could
certainly make it in this country on a national level in the visual
graphic arts. And I wanted to show my children the possibilities
that lay ahead for them. That was very important. I wanted to
be a strong role model for my family and for other African
Americans.
On his commitment to multicultural works:
“These books are needed and are my contribution in terms of my
concern for this country and the issue of racism.”
Jerry Pinkney Selected Works
ILLUSTRATED
ADAPTED AND ILLUSTRATED
God Bless the Child (2003) by Arthur Herzog Jr.
and Billie Holiday
Noah’s Ark (2002)
Aesop’s Fables (2000)
Minty: A Story of Young Harriet Tubman (1996)
by Alan Schroeder
Rikki-Tikki-Tavi (1997) from Rudyard Kipling
Back Home (1992) by Gloria Jean Pinkney
The Talking Eggs (1989) by Robert D. San Souci
Rabbit Makes a Monkey of Lion (1989) by Verna
Aardema
Mirandy and Brother Wind (1988) by Pat McKissack
Half a Moon and One Whole Star (1986) by Crescent
Dragonwagon
The Patchwork Quilt (1985) by Valerie Flournoy
Count on Your Fingers African Style (1980) by
Claudia Zaslavshy
ILLUSTRATED WITH WRITER AND RETELLER
JULIUS LESTER
Albidaro and the Mischievous Dream (2000)
Sam and the Tigers: A New Telling of Little Black
Sambo (1996)
John Henry (1994)
Further Tales of Uncle Remus: The Misadventures of
Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox, Brer Wolf, the Doodang and
Other Creatures (1990)
The Tales of Uncle Remus (1987)
Resources Used:
"Books and Authors; Video Interviews; Jerry Pinkney." Reading Rockets. Public Television Station WETA Washington, D.C. 15 Apr. 2007 <http://www.readingrockets.org>.
Cummings, Pat, comp. Talking with Artists. New York: Bradbury P, 1992. 60-65.
Marcus, Leonard S. Pass It Down: Five Picture-Book Families Make Their Mark. New York: Walker
Publishing, 2007. 32-40.
"Meet the Authors and Illustrators." Reading is Fundamental. 15 Apr. 2007 <http://www.rif.org>.
"Meet Authors and Illustrators: Jerry Pinkney." Children's Literature. 1 Feb. 2003. 15 Apr. 2007
<http://www.childrenslit.com>.
Sarkissian, Adeke, ed. Something About the Author Autobiography Series. Vol. 12. Detroit, MI: Gale
Research, 1991.
Something About the Author. Vol. 151. Detroit, MI: Gale Research. 157-163.
Connie Rogers
LIS 721
Spring 2007