Ann Jonas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ann Jonas
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| Born | January 28, 1932 New York City
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| Died | September 29, 2013 (aged 81) Rhinebeck, NY
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| Nationality | American |
| Education | Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art |
| Known for | Illustration, Writing |
| Spouse(s) | Donald Crews |
Ann Jonas (born January 28, 1932 – died September 29, 2013) was a talented American writer and illustrator. She created many popular picture books for children. Her books often featured unique and imaginative pictures that made kids think and wonder.
Ann Jonas's Life Story
Ann Jonas spent most of her childhood on Long Island, New York. She loved horseback riding. To earn money for her rides, she worked as a babysitter. Her parents noticed her interest in art and helped her develop her skills. Her teachers also encouraged her. They even let her design and paint sets for school plays.
After working several jobs she didn't enjoy, Ann decided to study art. She attended Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art. After graduating, she started working in graphic design. This means she created designs for things like advertisements or magazines. She also married another artist named Donald Crews.
In 1963, her husband joined the army. They moved to Frankfurt, Germany. Their first daughter, Nina Crews, was born there. Their second daughter, Amy, was born a year later in New York.
When they returned to the United States, Ann continued her graphic design work. Her husband, Donald, began focusing on illustrating children's books. Many years later, when their daughters were almost ready for college, Ann wrote her first children's book. It was called When You Were a Baby and was written in 1982. However, it wasn't published until nine years later.
Her 1983 book, Round Trip, received special recognition. It was named an ALA Notable Book by the American Library Association. It was also called a "Best Illustrated Book" by New York Times. In 1985, Ann Jonas won a Caldecott Honor for her book Holes and Peeks. This is a very important award for children's picture books.
Ann Jonas and her husband lived in New York state. They had an old, restored farmhouse. It overlooked the beautiful Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains.
Books by Ann Jonas
Here are some of the books Ann Jonas wrote and illustrated:
- Two Bear Cubs (1982)
- When You Were a Baby (1982)
- Round Trip (1983)
- Holes and Peeks (1984) – This book won a Caldecott Honor in 1985.
- The Quilt (1984)
- The Trek (1985)
- Where Can It Be? (1986)
- Now We Can Go (1986)
- Reflections (1987)
- Color Dance (1989)
- Aardvarks, Disembark! (1990)
- The 13th Clue (1992)
- Splash! (1995)
- Watch William Walk (1997)
- Bird Talk (1998)
As an Illustrator for Other Authors
Ann Jonas also illustrated books written by other authors:
- Stars Beneath Your Bed: The Surprising Story of Dust, written by April Pulley Sayre (2005)
See Also
- Betty Debnam, Meet Author/Illustrator Ann Jonas, The Mini Page, October 13, 1998
