This past year marked the passing of several beloved children’s book illustrators:
Eric Carle (June 25, 1929 – May 23, 2021)
Lois Ehlert (November 9, 1934 – May 25, 2021)
Floyd Cooper (January 8, 1956 – July 16, 2021)
In celebration of beloved illustrators, the following Illustrator Cards provide an overview of accomplishments as well as personal reflections on the contributions to children’s literature by these illustrators. A brief listing of resources also suggest further paths of exploration. You might even engage students in art activities inspired by Eric Carle, Lois Ehlert, and Floyd Cooper. What a wonderful way for students to pay tribute to remarkable visual storytellers.
Eric Carle Resources
- Eric Carle Website: Downloads and Art Activities
- Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
- Eric Carle Video Interview (Reading Rockets)
- Eric Carle photo from Teaching Books.net
Lois Ehlert Resources
- Lois Ehlert Article (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
- Lois Ehlert Interview (Teaching Books.net)
- Lois Ehlert Video Interview (Reading Rockets)
- Lois Ehlert photo from Teaching Books.net
Floyd Cooper Resources
- Floyd Cooper Tribute Article (The Brown Bookshelf)
- Floyd Cooper Interview About Book Unspeakable (School Library Journal)
- Floyd Cooper Describes Erasure Technique (The Mackin Community)
- Floyd Cooper and Jerry Pinkney Video Demonstrations of Art Techniques
(New York Times.com) - Floyd Cooper photo from Teaching Books.net