J. Brian Pinkney

As a child, Brian Pinkney loved drawing pictures on every piece of paper he could find. He also loved watching his father, Caldecott medalist, 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 created 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, as well as the Coretta Scott King medal. He is a five-time NAACP Image Award nominee, and winner of the Boston Globe/Horn Book Award, as well as the recipient of many American Library Association Notable Book citations. 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; 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, and JoJo’s Flying Side Kick. Brian’s books have been translated into numerous languages, reaching a broad and diverse mix of children. Brian has been named among the “25 Most Influential People in our Children’s Lives” by Children’s Health magazine. 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 and frequent collaborator, New York Times bestselling author Andrea Davis Pinkney.