Adrienne Adams (illustrator) facts for kids

Adrienne Adams (born February 10, 1906 – died December 3, 2002) was an American artist. She was famous for illustrating children's books. She also wrote and illustrated her own books for kids. Adrienne Adams won several important awards for her work. These included two Caldecott Honors in 1960 and 1962. She also received the Rutgers Award in 1973 for her overall contributions to children's literature. In 1977, she was given the University of Southern Mississippi Medallion.

Life and Career

Adrienne Adams was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas. She grew up in Oklahoma. She went to Stephens College and later the University of Missouri. Stephens College honored her with an award in 1964. She also received the University of Southern Mississippi's Medallion in 1977.

In 1929, she moved to New York City. There, she studied at the American School of Design. Until 1949, she worked as a freelance designer. She created displays, murals, textiles, and greeting cards. On August 17, 1934, she married John Lonzo Anderson. He was also a children's book writer.

Her career as an illustrator began in 1942. She illustrated her husband's first book, Bag of Smoke. By 1952, she became a full-time illustrator. She illustrated over 30 books for other authors. These included books by Rumer Godden, Irwin Shapiro, and Aileen Fisher. She also illustrated classic fairy tales. These were stories by Hans Christian Andersen and the Brothers Grimm. Besides illustrating, she wrote and illustrated six children's books of her own.

Adams and Anderson lived together in Lebanon Township, New Jersey.

Selected Works

Books Illustrated for Other Writers

• 1954 – Impunity Jane: The Story of a Pocket Doll by Rumer Godden (Viking Press)
• 1957 – Mouse House by Godden (Viking)
• 1957 – The Easter Bunny That Overslept by Priscilla and Otto Friedrich (Lothrop, Lee & Shepard)
• 1958 – The Story of Holly and Ivy by Godden (Viking)
• 1959 – Houses from the Sea by Alice E. Goudey (Charles Scribner's Sons) – This book was a runner-up for the 1960 Caldecott Medal.
• 1960 – The Shoemaker and the Elves by the Brothers Grimm (Scribner's) – This was an ALA Notable Book.
• 1961 – The Day We Saw the Sun Come Up by Alice E. Goudey (Scribner's) – This book was a runner-up for the 1962 Caldecott Medal.
• 1961 – Thumbelina by Hans Christian Andersen (Scribner's) – This was an ALA Notable Book.
• 1963 – Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabella by W. Saboly (Scribner's) – This was an ALA Notable Book.
• 1964 – Snow-White and Rose-Red by Grimm (Scribner's)
• 1968 – Jorinde and Joringel by Grimm (Scribner's) – This was an ALA Notable Book.
• 1973 – Twice Upon a Time by Irwin Shapiro (Xerox Family Education)
• 1975 – Hansel and Gretel by Grimm (Scribner's)
• 1977 – The River Bank from The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame (Scribner's)
• 1983 – The Easter Bunny That Overslept by Priscilla and Otto Friedrich (Lothrop, Lee & Shepard) – This was a revised edition of the 1957 book.

Books Written and Illustrated by Adrienne Adams

The Library of Congress lists five children's picture books that Adrienne Adams both wrote and illustrated.

• 1971 – A Woggle of Witches (Charles Scribner's Sons)
• 1976 – The Easter Egg Artists (Scribner's)
• 1978 – The Christmas Party (The Scribner Book Company)
• 1980 – The Great Valentine's Day Balloon Race (Scribner)
• 1981 – A Halloween Happening (Scribner)