Javaka Steptoe

Javaka Steptoe (born April 19, 1971[1]) is an American author and illustrator.[2] He won the 2017 Caldecott Medal as well as the Americas Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature, and the Coretta Scott King Book Award from the American Library Association for his picture book Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat.[3]

Steptoe at the 2017 Texas Book Festival
Born (1971-04-19) 19 April 1971
Notable worksRadiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat
Notable awardsCaldecott Medal
Coretta Scott King Book Award
ParentsJohn Steptoe (father)
Website
javaka.com

Early life

Javaka Steptoe was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York.[4] He is the son of John Steptoe, who twice won Caldecott Honors (for his book The Story of Jumping Mouse in 1985 and Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters in 1988.)[3] Growing up, Javaka Steptoe served as a model for his father's books. He then attended Cooper Union, earning a BFA.[5]

Career

Steptoe's Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat was initially inspired by an exhibit he saw of American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat's artwork at the Brooklyn Museum in 2005.[6] The resulting picture book won the 2017 Caldecott Medal as well as the Americas Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature and the Coretta Scott King Book Award from the American Library Association.[3]

Steptoe's other works include illustrating Jimi Sounds Like a Rainbow: A Story of the Young Jimi Hendrix (Clarion Books, 2010)[7][8] and writing and illustrating In Daddy’s Arms I Am Tall: African Americans Celebrating Fathers (Lee & Low Books, 1997),[9] which also won the Coretta Scott King Book Award.[2]

Personal life

Steptoe lives in Brooklyn.[10]

References
  1. "Steptoe, Javaka, 1971-". Library of Congress Authorities. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  2. Monique, Porsha (11 March 2017). "Caldecott Medal winner Javaka Steptoe likens his writing to music". Rolling Out. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
  3. Isaacs, Mike (28 June 2017). "Caldecott Medal winner for best picture book visits Skokie". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
  4. Smith, Henrietta M. (29 June 2009). The Coretta Scott King Awards, 1970-2009. American Library Association. p. 101. ISBN 978-0-8389-3584-2.
  5. "Javaka Steptoe | Biography". www.javaka.com. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
  6. Gish, Sarah (23 April 2017). "Basquiat for kids: Caldecott winner Javaka Steptoe brings 'Radiant Child' to LitFestKC". Kansas City Star. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
  7. NPR Staff (23 October 2010). "Jimi Sounds Like A Rainbow: Hendrix For Kids". NPR. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
  8. "Children's Book Review: Jimi Sounds Like a Rainbow: A Story of the Young Jimi Hendrix by Gary Golio, illus. by Javaka Steptoe, Clarion, $16.99 (32p) ISBN 978-0-618-85279-6". Publishers Weekly. 4 October 2010. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
  9. "Children's Book Review: In Daddy's Arms I Am Tall: African Americans Celebrating Fathers by Javaka Steptoe, Author, Javaka Steptoe, Illustrator Lee & Low Books $16.95 (32p) ISBN 978-1-880000-31-1". Publishers Weekly. 3 November 1997. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
  10. Maughan, Shannon (23 January 2017). "'A Very Incredible Day': Javaka Steptoe on His 2017 Caldecott Medal". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
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