As a child, Brian Pinkney loved drawing pictures on every piece of paper he could find. He also loved watching his father, Jerry Pinkney, illustrate books for children. Brian couldn't wait to grow up and do the same thing.
Today Brian Pinkney is a New York Times bestselling illustrator who has illustrated numerous books for young readers, including two Caldecott Honor Books, The Faithful Friend by Robert D. San Souci and Duke Ellington by Andrea Davis Pinkney, his wife and frequent collaborator.
Brian has been awarded the Coretta Scott King Honor Award for illustration on three occasions, and the Coretta Scott King medal for In the Time of the Drums by Kim Siegelson. He is a five-time NAACP Image Award nominee, and was named among the “25 Most Influential People in our Children’s Lives” by Children’s Health magazine.
In addition to being a visual artist, Brian is also a writer, who has authored several acclaimed picture books based on his own experiences and interests. These include The Adventures of Sparrowboy, winner of the Boston Globe/Horn Book Award, Max Found Two Sticks, hailed by The Horn Book as one of the classic children’s books of all time. On the Ball, Cosmo and the Robot, JoJo’s Flying Side Kick, Puppy Truck and Time for Kenny. Brian’s books have been translated into numerous languages, thus reaching a broad and diverse mix of children.
As a fine artist, Brian’s paintings are exhibited vastly in museums and select gallery showings, and are also part of many distinguished private collections.
He has served on the faculty in the Master’s Degree of Illustration department at the School of Visual Arts. He is a former chairperson for the Society of Illustrators Original Art Show.
Brian Pinkney lives in Brooklyn, New York, with his wife, author Andrea Davis Pinkney.
June 1 – July 31
Preregistration starts May 5
To find out more about other activities for youth, teens, and adults visit the Boulder Public Library's Summer of Discovery website. Be sure to track your reading and activities to collect your prizes by July 31, 2022.
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