Just Jerry, How Drawing Shaped My Life

Little Brown Books for Young Readers, 2023

160 pages, Grades 3^rd – 7^th

ISBN-13:  978-0316383851

Jerry Pinkney is an acclaimed children’s book illustrator and Caldecott winner.  He shares his inspiring journey of his life-long passion for art and how art helped him make sense of the world.  He was a hard-working boy growing up in a time of deep segregation. He overcame many challenges and did not give up on his dreams. He includes vivid memories of significant times in his life illustrated in lively sketchbook drawings.  Artists of every age will identify with Jerry’s passion for drawing. Written before Jerry died in 2021 and published in2023.   

About the Author:

Jerry Pinkney’s art career spanned 69 years until he died in 2021.  His books have been translated into 16 languages.  He had won the Caldecott Medal and five Caldecott Honors, five New York Times Best Illustrated books, five Coretta Scott King awards, and four Coretta Scott King Honors. He has won numerous other awards and is a beloved and admired contributor to the world of children’s literature.  His son, Brian Pinkney, is also an author and illustrator, and collaborator. Jerry’s wife, Gloria Pinkney, and his daughter-in-law, Andrea Davis Pinkney are both artistic collaborators with Jerry and Brian. Checkout his website at https://www.justjerrypinkney.com/.

 Pathways connections: Friends and Family, Personal Feelings and Growth, Yesterday

Reviewed by Cheryl The, PhD

Professor of Education

Southwestern Adventist University