Wendell Minor
Born and raised in Aurora, Illinois, Wendell Minor has created over sixty award-winning children’s books. He is also the cover artist and designer for books by David McCullough and Pat Conroy, and has created covers for the young adult editions of Nathaniel Philbrick’s books.
His newest books are Smitten With Kittens; Breaking Waves: Winslow Homer Paints the Sea; Wilbur Wright Meets Lady Liberty; Tiny Bird: A Hummingbird’s Amazing Journey; Southwest Sunrise; The Magic of Letters; Hi, I’m Norman: The Story of American Illustrator Norman Rockwell; Crowbar: The World’s Smartest Bird; The Leather Apron Club: Benjamin Franklin, His Son Billy & America’s First Circulating Library and a new edition of the classic Pumpkin Heads!
Wendell’s books are frequently used in classrooms, and The Seashore Book was featured on the PBS-TV program “The Reading Rainbow.” Awards have included: The Norton Juster Award, Cook Prize, New England Independent Booksellers Association (NEIBA) President’s Award for lifetime achievement in arts and letters, Notable Children’s Trade Books in Social Studies, ALA Booklist Children’s Choices, International Reading Association Teacher’s Choices, Parents Choice Foundation “Silver Honor,” Smithsonian’s Notable Books for Children, the John Burroughs List of Nature Books For Young Readers, Bank Street College of Education’s Best Children’s Books of the Year, Pennsylvania’s “One Book, Every Young Child” Early Literacy Initiative selection, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library selection(s), and Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year.
Among the many authors he has collaborated with are Jean Craighead George, Charlotte Zolotow, Robert Burleigh, Mary Higgins Clark, astronaut Buzz Aldrin, and his wife Florence Minor.
Wendell has twice spoken and signed his books at the National Book Festival in Washington, DC. His work has been exhibited widely throughout the country in various venues including the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, Bruce Museum in Greenwich, Connecticut, Art Institute of Chicago, New Britain Museum of American Art, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Maritime Gallery at Mystic Seaport, Boston Public Library, and Chautauqua Institution’s Center for the Visual Arts. He has received Honorary Doctorates of Humane Letters from the University of Connecticut and Aurora University in Illinois.
Wendell lives and works with his wife Florence, and their cat Cinder, in Washington, Connecticut. You can visit them at www.minorart.com, and on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Reviews
The Great Zombie Pumpkin Parade
“In propulsive rhyming verse and spooky watercolor and gouache illustrations (“mixed with digital”), readers are introduced to the participants in a parade of zombies with jack-o’-lanterns for heads—Slime-Faces Sumpkin, Ghoul-Eyed Gumpkins, Crush-Headed Cumpkins, etc.—who march through the countryside on Halloween night. They return to the pumpkin graveyard at dawn, but “watch out, my friend, / beware, be wise! / This isn’t the end-- / the zombies will rise.” Burleigh and Minor’s latest collaboration (Breaking Waves and Wilbur Wright Meets Lady-Liberty, both rev. 5/21) is perfect for young readers who enjoy a bit of “shiver and quiver” in their picture books.”—The Horn Book
Smitten with Kittens
“Who isn’t smitten / with a kitten’s sweet MEW / and all the cute things / that kittens will DO?” Certainly not the Minors, who explore these appealing creatures in lilting verse and digitally enhanced graphite artwork. They note kittens’ penchant for posing, fondness for mischief, and inclination to hide in tight spaces, as well as their need for naps after a busy day. The verses are playful and skillfully rhymed, highlighting behaviors most young readers will recognize. Wendell Minor’s lifelike, mostly black-and-white illustrations eschew backgrounds in order to focus on his tabby subjects. He is particularly adept at capturing feline expressions: cross-eyed with a butterfly on its nose; staring at a mirror, back arched in fierceness; wide-eyed innocence peeking out of a pile of toilet paper; and dreaming of chasing colorful balls. Most scenes are brightened by a small spot of color: an orange butterfly, a red cardinal, or a blue ball of yarn. Appended with additional information about cat behavior, this will be welcomed by cat-lovers everywhere.”
—Booklist
“Delicate graphite illustrations and gentle rhymes extol playful curiosity in this kitten-smitten picture book by the married collaborators. The cuddle factor is high as the animals’ smudgy heads peek around the edges of the book’s opening pages: "Who isn’t smitten/ with a kitten’s sweet MEW//and all the cute things/ that kittens will DO?" Accented with occasional pops of color (a tongue, a nose, a bowl, a bird), sketches show various gray kitties observing a red cardinal, gazing cross-eyed at a monarch butterfly, peering out from a jumble of unspooled toilet paper, and otherwise exploring. A final close-up of one fuzzy feline "all curled up in a cozy lap" is practically pettable. Back matter includes 10 "fun facts" about cat development and care.”—Publishers Weekly
Crowbar: The Smartest Bird in the World
"This fascinating story, based on a real George family experience, is lovingly told. While the text is uncomplicated and educational, the graphite-and-gouache illustrations, rendered by one of George’s longtime collaborators, charmingly capture Crowbar’s amazing and amusing antics. A wonderful examination of human compassion and animal intelligence."—Booklist
"Penned by late Newbery Medalist Jean Craighead George and adapted by her children, this picture book follows the family’s real experience of rescuing and raising a baby crow foundling they named Crowbar, seamlessly incorporating facts about crows. Minor’s art, done in graphite and gouache and enhanced digitally, offers realistic, meticulous snapshots of the crow and family, forming a tender interspecies familial portrait. Back matter includes more about crows, with a list of additional resources. "—Publishers Weekly
The Leather Apron Club: Benjamin Franklin, His Son Billy & America's First Circulating Library
“Inspired by the life of William “Billy” Franklin, son of Benjamin Franklin, this first-person account conveyed in lengthy free verse opens in Philadelphia, 1739, when rowdy Billy is eight years old; eventually, a new tutor inspires a love of reading, and the elder Franklin allows the younger to bear witness to a meeting of the Leather Apron Club, 12 friends who meet “weekly to discuss issues of morality, philosophy, and politics,” as well as read at the Club’s library, “the first free lending library in the United States,” per an author’s note. Interspersing quotes from Poor Richard’s Almanack, Yolen makes Billy’s emotions relatable to young audiences: “Pappy... has written the best-known Book/ in all of Philadelphia,/ printed on his own Press—/Poor Richard’s Almanack./ It is full of sayings to make people wise,/ though if you ask me, I think it is a little boring.” Muted watercolors by Minor offer sketch-like, realistic white figures in this historical fiction, which may appeal more to adults. Front matter includes a note about capitalizations; back matter includes more historical context and information, as well as an author’s note.” —Publishers Weekly
Breaking Waves: Winslow Homer Paints the Sea
“Burleigh portrays a disciplined, patient Homer over the course of five seasons, relentlessly observing storms from perilous vantage points, making notes and sketches to aid memory, and refusing to still his brush after completing fine paintings that didn’t quite rise to his own expectations.” —Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“Both the style and the palette choice are effective creative decisions, delivering to the story a cumulative ambiance of an artist at work indoors and out, sketching, planning, seeing, and trying . . . Quite authentically Homer.” —Kirkus Reviews
“The watercolor and pencil illustrations are beautiful and capture the different feelings the sea can conjure. These illustrations are reason enough to add this book to collections but, in addition to the gorgeous visuals, this work is rich with sensory language . . . A beautiful and rich work of literary nonfiction.” —School Library Journal, Starred Review
“With quiet intensity, the book’s words and pictures set Homer’s work and self-sufficient style of living within the frame of this fascination. Children ages 4-8 may almost feel that they have joined in the artist’s creative process: standing with him in suspended moments of concentration; leaping into action with him as he swiftly mixes paints and sends his brush skimming across the paper.” —The Wall Street Journal
“It takes a special talent to convey the essence of an artist to children in an understandable way. Burleigh does so expertly, highlighting Winslow Homer’s fascination and love for the ocean and its waves . . . The beautiful whites, grays, and blues are typical of New England, ably showing the power of places where sea meets land.” —Booklist
Tiny Bird
“Burleigh and Minor combine their talents to dramatic effect in this lightly fictionalized account of a ruby-throated hummingbird’s fall migration south to Central America. Kids will be mesmerized by this dynamic portrait of one of nature’s winged wonders.” —Booklist, Starred Review
"The simple narrative is set in short, poetic lines. There's suspense . . . And, there's expressive language, with alliteration, occasional rhyme, and plentiful imagery. A fine addition to ‘sense of wonder’ collections." —Kirkus Reviews
Edward Hooper Paints His World
"Well-researched and carefully paced, this is an enduring and inspiring book that will help kids to understand the why and the how of an artist at work." —Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
"From the boyhood room in which Hopper paints a lone sailboat on the Hudson River to the country gas station he captures at dusk in his famous painting, Gas, the illustrations convey the solitary tone of Hopper’s work. In many scenes, readers peer over Hopper’s shoulder as he works, seeing what he sees."—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
Southwest Sunrise
“A young black child reluctantly moves from New York City to New Mexico. How glorious: a story about a black child experiencing the outdoors that is beautiful in every way.” —Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
“Evocative and engaging.” —School Library Journal, Starred Review
Wild Orca: The Oldest, Wisest Whale in the World
“Minor's full-bleed paintings of the orcas and their admirers, especially the underwater scenes, are stunning. An intriguing, visually appealing introduction to a remarkable animal.” —Booklist
“An informative and entertaining introduction to this intriguing endangered species." —Kirkus Reviews
“Loosely based on an actual ‘superpod’ episode in 2008, this sweet tale of waiting to welcome pods J, K, and L, led by Granny, the matriarch, serves as a framework to introduce the largest species in the dolphin family.” —School Library Journal
Daylight Starlight Wildlife
“Appealing, realistic illustrations. This lovely title should find a spot in all collections and will likely inspire greater outdoor observation and appreciation.” — School Library Journal, Starred Review
“Wendell Minor creates a field guide of sorts for youngest children, often drawing visual parallels between the creatures of the day and night, in breathtakingly realistic renderings. This is nature in all its glory.” —Shelf Awareness, Starred Review
Galapagos George
“In a posthumously published story from award-winning author George, the author personalizes an evolutionary tale by spotlighting one species, the saddleback tortoises of Pinta Island . . . Skillfully capturing the concept of adaptation in natural selection, this succinct story continues its creators’ tradition of inspiring awe and appreciation for the natural world.” —Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
“Minor's closing portrait is so expressive that children will feel as if Lonesome George somehow knew there would be no others after him. This beautiful homage conveys complex ideas in concrete ways so children can witness how these extraordinary tortoises survived so long in their particular habitats. Splendid.” —Shelf Awareness, Starred Review
Hi, I’m Norman
“An inviting and admiring introduction to an important American artist.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Unlike other biographies narrated in the first person, this engaging book about artist Norman Rockwell asks questions and forms a solid connection between reader and narrator. This important addition to biography collections is aimed at young readers with little to no knowledge of the artist. It will interest and hopefully inspire early elementary students who love art.” —School Library Journal
The Magic of Letters
“Journey through a land where words take flight and spark creativity. A fantastical bespectacled rabbit is readers’ guide into a top hat and through Johnston and Minor’s wonderland of words as they celebrate the power of language to instruct, inspire, and delight children.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Minor’s sketchbook-style illustrations have an immediacy and energy that will make readers feel that they’re peering over his shoulder as the drawings take shape.” —Publishers Weekly
Trapped
“This is an enchanting portrayal that demonstrates the positive impact that humans can have upon the natural world, and few readers will come away unaffected. The inviting language, gorgeous images, and uplifting tone make this an excellent addition to any collection.” —School Library Journal, Starred Review
“In Minor's beautifully composed gouache paintings, the whale is a silent but enormously empathetic character. Like the stately illustrations, the precise prose has a dignity that is worthy of its subject and unusual in a picture book for preschool and primary-grade children.” —Booklist, Starred Review
The Last Train
" 'If you close your eyes and listen,/you can almost hear the sound/Of those big iron horses rolling into town.' Based on musician Titcomb's 2005 song, this stunning book both celebrates and eulogizes the golden era of railway travel." —Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
“A treasure for train enthusiasts." —Kirkus Reviews
The Wolves Are Back
“This timely, beautiful picture book appears just as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service prepares to remove the Northern Rocky Mountain population of gray wolves from the list of endangered and protected species, a hopeful indicator of a wrong made right. For reading aloud or reading alone, this is a splendid way to share an appreciation for the natural world” —Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
“George writes about each of the changes caused by the wolves’ return in simple, rhythmic, informative prose. Adding to the book’s appeal are Minor’s finely detailed illustrations, featuring spectacularly rendered animals in the foreground of the bold, western landscapes. Together the words and pictures make for a highly effective and enjoyable explanation of how the presence of one animal can profoundly affect an ecosystem.”—Booklist, Starred Review
“An uplifting, lyrical story of how Minor's realistic illustrations in natural tones give depth to the sense of joy one experiences through seeing the wolves and other animals restored to a balance of nature.” —School Library Journal
The Eagles Are Back
"In this inspiring companion to The Wolves Are Back and The Buffalo Are Back, Minor and the late George complete a trio of 'environmental success stories that show us it is possible to preserve nature for future generations.' Minor’s gouache and watercolor are characteristically majestic." —Publishers Weekly
"Readers will be cheered by this inspiring picture book." —Kirkus Reviews
Reaching for the Moon
“Minor's light-infused art balances lifelike, affecting portraiture and images of various spacecraft in motion, rendered with an almost dizzying clarity. Author and artist clearly aimed high here and easily hit their mark.” —Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
“A readable autobiography by the Apollo 11 astronaut who was the second man to walk on the Moon. Excellent, realistic paintings help describe the events mentioned in the text. Those depicting the space flights are particularly dramatic.” —School Library Journal, Starred Review
Night Train, Night Train
“Minor's black-and-white graphite illustrations intimately capture the shadows and shapes of the train's night ride, ending in a beautiful full-color double-page spread as night turns to day and the ride is completed.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Young children who are fascinated with trains will absolutely love this book and ask to read it again and again.”—School Library Journal
Wilbur Wright Meets Lady Liberty
“Minor’s splendid illustrations offer numerous grand perspectives and are rendered in lush watercolors, providing appropriate airiness and lending nostalgia. This high-flying book will send readers’ imaginations soaring.”—Kirkus Reviews
The Seashore Book
“Zolotow effectively describes the colors, sounds, and sights of the seashore including watching the sun break through the morning mist, picking up shells at the water's edge, and listening to the sounds of the wind and waves. Detailed illustrations perfectly depict the activities enjoyed during a visit to the beach.” —Children’s Literature
How to Be a Bigger Bunny
“The soft visual texture is appealing and well befits the gentle narrative with its encouraging message to ‘never give up.’ A happy ending for a little bunny whose reading helps her do big things.” —Kirkus Reviews
“The gouache illustrations are simply stunning, with a bold, glowing yellow appearing throughout, visually relaying the warmth and strength of the book.” —School Library Journal
This is the Earth
“This noteworthy picture book—a mix of verse, paintings, history, and environmental science—demonstrates the impact humans have had upon Earth. A fine selection for reading and sharing, with curriculum connections to science, social studies, and language arts.” —School Library Journal
“Shore, Alexander, and Minor have created an ode to the earth.” —Booklist
Sequoia
"A giant sequoia experiences the world around ‘him’ in Johnston's romantic, image-laden, anthropomorphic rendering of the life experiences of the largest tree on the planet . . . Minor's paintings are glorious." —Kirkus
How Big Could Your Pumpkin Grow?
"The artist’s proven talent for classic landscapes here gets a wink with the STUPENDOUS jack-o’-lanterns plomping their grinning selves down like they owned the place. Facts about each place depicted are appended." —The Horn Book
"Minor's watercolor and gouache paintings are well composed, richly colored, and (best of all) just plain fun. With a text that asks leading questions, this picture book makes a fine, imaginative read-aloud choice for classrooms in the fall." —Booklist
If You Were a Panda Bear
“The textured brushstrokes create realistic and expressive images, while playful and colorful variations in the type add to the appeal. A lovely title to engage the imaginations and interest of budding animal enthusiasts.”—Kirkus Reviews
My Farm Friends
“Inspired by childhood visits to family farms, Minor shares descriptions and facts about different farm animals and their behaviors. This book begs to be read aloud, individually or with a group. Multiple readings may be in order, as young listeners will want to visit this iconic farm over and over.” —Kirkus Reviews
If You Were a Penguin
“Children will love the upbeat rhyming text. The spreads are eye-catching and fun. An excellent storytime addition."—School Library Journal