Exploring the Great Outdoors - Meridian International Center

Barbara Cooney
Ms. Cooney was born on August 6, 1917 in Brooklyn, New York. Her father worked as a stockbroker and
her mother was an amateur impressionist painter. She served as second lieutenant in the Women’s Army
Corps during World War II, and has been a freelance author and illustrator since 1938. She was twice
awarded the Caldecott metal (1959, 1980) and was proclaimed an official state treasure of Maine in 1996.
Selected books illustrated by Barbara Cooney:
Eleanor by Barbara Cooney, 1996
Ox-Cart Man by Donald Hall, 1979
Palmer Cox (1840-1924)
Palmer Cox was born in the Scottish community of Granby, Quebec. After moving to San Francisco, he
worked as a ship carpenter and railroad worker. In 1875, he moved to New York City and devoted all of his
time to writing and illustrating. Inspired by the legends of his Scottish family, he wrote and illustrated many
books about elf-like creatures call “Brownies”, winning himself financial and critical success.
Selected books illustrated by Palmer Cox:
The Brownies Merry Adventures by Palmer Cox, 1993
Brownies at Home by Palmer Cox, 1968
Donald Crews
As Donald Crews prepared to leave army life and get a job as a graphic artist, he put together an alphabet
book to use in his portfolio. The book, We Read: A to Z, launched his career as a picture book illustrator.
Crews graduated from Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, where he met his future wife,
the artist Ann Jonas. Crews is best known for his popular “transportation” books.
Selected books illustrated by Donald Crews:
Big Mama’s by Donald Crews, 1998
Freight Train by Donald Crews, 1996
Nina Crews
The daughter of graphic artists Donald Crews and Ann Jonas, Nina Crews grew up in a world of picture
books. Her father is a picture book illustrator, and later her mother began to illustrate as well. Photography
became Nina’s focus when she attended Yale University. Her first picture book, One Hot Summer Day,
was published in 1995. She enjoys photographing children and assembling photo collages for her books.
Selected books illustrated by Nina Crews:
You Are Here by Nina Crews, 1998
One Hot Summer Day by Nina Crews, 1995
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