Barbara Reid facts for kids

Barbara Reid (born November 16, 1957) is a famous Canadian artist and writer. She creates amazing children's books. People often call her "one of Canada's major literary figures" because her work is so important. In 2012, she won the Vicky Metcalf Award for Literature for Young People. This award is given every year to a writer or artist whose work has inspired young Canadians.

About Barbara Reid

Barbara Reid was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on November 16, 1957. She studied art at the Ontario College of Art.

After finishing her studies, Barbara started her career by drawing pictures for school textbooks. Soon after, she began illustrating children's books. She is well-known for her special way of creating pictures using sculpted clay. She first used this unique style in 1984 for Elizabeth Clark's book, The New Baby Calf.

How She Creates Her Art

Barbara starts her illustrations with a pencil drawing. Then, she builds up the picture using colorful modelling clay. This makes the images look three-dimensional, almost like sculptures! Once the clay art is finished, it is photographed and used as the illustration in the book. Her clay pictures are full of tiny details and often make readers laugh or feel amazed.

Barbara Reid's books have been published in many countries around the world. You can find her work in over 21 different countries. These include Canada, the United States, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and many more.

Awards and Special Recognition

Barbara Reid has received many awards for her wonderful books and illustrations.

• In 2006, she won the Children's Illustrator of the Year award from the Canadian Library Association.
• The next year, in 2007, she won the Children's Author of the Year award from the same organization.
• In 2012, she won the Libris Award for Picture Book.

Also in 2012, Barbara received the important Vicky Metcalf Award for Literature for Young People. This award celebrates authors or illustrators whose work has truly inspired young people in Canada.

A School Named After Her

In 2017, the York Region District School Board honored Barbara Reid in a very special way. They named a brand new school after her! Barbara Reid Public School is in Stouffville, Ontario. This elementary school teaches students from Kindergarten to Grade 8.

Key Awards for Her Books

Barbara Reid's books have won many important awards over the years. Here are some of them:

• Have You Seen Birds? won the Canada Council Children's Literature Prize and the IODE Book Award in 1986. It also won the Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award in 1987.
• Her Zoe series won the Mr. Christie's Book Award for English - Illustration in 1992.
• Two By Two won the Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award in 1993.
• Gifts won the Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator's Award in 1995.
• The Party won the Governor General's Award for English-language children's illustration and the Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator's Award in 1997.
• The Subway Mouse won the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Award in 2004.
• Perfect Snow won the Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator's Award in 2010.
• The Night Before Christmas won the Libris Award for Picture Book in 2014.

Barbara Reid's Books

Barbara Reid has written and illustrated many popular books for children.

Books She Wrote and Illustrated

• Sing a Song of Mother Goose (1987)
• Playing with Plasticine (1988) - This book teaches you how to play with modeling clay!
• Two By Two (1992)
• Zoe's Year (1992)
• The Party (1997)
• Fun with Modeling Clay (1998) - Another book about how to use modeling clay.
• The Golden Goose (2000)
• Read Me a Book (2004)
• The Subway Mouse (2004)
• Fox Walked Alone (2009)
• Perfect Snow (2009)
• Picture a Tree (2011)
• Welcome Baby (2013)
• The Night Before Christmas (2013)

Books She Illustrated for Other Authors

• The New Baby Calf by Edith Newlin Chase (1984)
• Have You Seen Birds? by Joanne Oppenheim (1986)
• Effie by Bev Allinson (1990)
• Gifts by Jo Ellen Bogart (1994)