The illustrator I chose for my illustrator focus is Steven Kellogg. As part of the reading for the booklist for Children's Literature I have borrowed a few of his books from the library. Some of the most recent ones that I have read are The Mysterious Tadpole and The Missing Mitten. I think that his creativity in the creation of his characters in a story make the book the joy that it is. I can remember the pictures from his books from when I was in elementary school and the librarian would read us the stories. Now that I have read them for myself I am even more interested in Kellogg's work.

Steven Kellogg lives in a small farmhouse in Conneticut with his wife, Helen and his pets who are the characters in many of his books. He began drawing at an early age when he told his two sisters stories, he would tell the story and draw pictures to go along with them. Many of his books are also dedicated to his six step children. All of these things is where he draws his inspiration for childrens stories. Kellogg has illustrated more than 100 children's books and has authored more than 30.

This illustrators work is amazing and his pictures really appeal to young children. When I was trying to decide on an illustrator to look for my illustrator focus I was having a hard time because so many authors pictures have interested me, but when I looked at the few books I have added to my book list, I knew this was the illustrator I wanted to know more about. I think it is very fascinating that this man takes so many things from the world around him and makes it into the characters for his stories. My favorite illustrations of his are the tadpole, Pinkerton, and how he does the humans faces in his books.

Books by Steven Kellogg

• A Hunting We Will Go
• Is Your Mama a Llama?
• The Mysterious Tadpole
• How Much is a Million?
• The Missing Mitten Mystery
• The Baby BeeBee Bird
• Pecos Bill: A Tall Tale
• Paul Bunyan
• Pinkerton, Behave!
• Island of the Skog
• Johnny Appleseed
• Yankee Doodle
• The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate the Wash
• A Rose for Pinkerton
• Jack and the Beanstalk
• The Christmas Witch
• Library Lil
• Among Many others.......

Sources

Author website: www.stevenkellogg.com
Meet Authors and Illustrators: www.childrenslit.com/stevenkellogg
Reading is Fundamental: www.rif.org/art/illustrators/kellogg
Harper Collins Publishing: www.harperchildrens.com