Barbara Reid facts for kids

Barbara Reid is a famous Canadian artist and writer. She creates amazing children's books. Many people say she is one of Canada's most important literary figures. In 2012, she won a special honour called the Vicky Metcalf Award for Literature for Young People. This award celebrates authors or illustrators whose work has inspired young people in Canada.

About Barbara Reid

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

After finishing art school, Barbara started her career. She first made pictures for textbooks. Then, she began illustrating children's books. She is well-known for her special way of making pictures. She uses sculpted-clay to create her unique images.

Her clay art style became famous with her illustrations for The New Baby Calf (1984). To make her pictures, Barbara starts with a pencil drawing. Then, she builds up the image using coloured modelling clay. This makes the pictures look three-dimensional. After the clay art is ready, it is photographed. These photos become the illustrations in her books. Her pictures are full of details and often make readers laugh or feel wonder.

Barbara Reid's books have been published in many countries. You can find her work in over 21 places around the world. This includes Canada, the United States, and many countries in Europe and Asia.

Awards and Special Honours

Barbara Reid has won many awards for her wonderful books. In 2006, she won the Children's Illustrator of the Year award. This award came from the Canadian Library Association. The next year, she won their Children's Author of the Year award. In 2012, she also won the Libris Award for Picture Book.

In 2012, Barbara received the important Vicky Metcalf Award for Literature for Young People. This award is given every year. It celebrates a writer or illustrator whose work has truly inspired Canadian youth. Her books have also won other major awards. These include the Governor General's Award for English-language children's illustration and the Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award.

Books by Barbara Reid

Barbara Reid has written and illustrated many books. She has also illustrated books written by other authors.

Books She Wrote and Illustrated

• Sing a Song of Mother Goose (1987)
• Playing with Plasticine (1988) - This book teaches you about clay!
• Two By Two (1992)
• Zoe's Year (1992)
• The Party (1997)
• Fun with Modeling Clay (1998) - Another book about using 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 Others

• 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)