David Díaz (illustrator) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
David Díaz
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Díaz at the Mazza Museum 2012 conference
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| Born | 1960 (age 64–65) Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
| Occupation | Illustrator, graphic designer |
| Alma mater | Fort Lauderdale Art Institute |
| Period | 1992–present |
| Genre | Children's picture books |
| Notable works |
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| Notable awards | Caldecott Medal 1995 |
David Díaz (born in 1960) is a talented American artist. He is famous for illustrating children's books. In 1995, he won the prestigious Caldecott Medal for his amazing artwork in the book Smoky Night, written by Eve Bunting. He currently lives in Carlsbad, California.
About David Díaz
David Díaz grew up in southern Florida. He discovered his love for drawing very early, in first grade! His parents were a bit worried about him becoming an artist. They knew it could be a tough career.
When David was sixteen, he went through a very sad time. He used drawing to help him cope with his feelings. It became a way for him to express himself. In high school, a wonderful teacher helped him develop his artistic skills. This teacher even encouraged him to enter art competitions, where he won awards.
Later, David moved to southern California. He worked as a graphic designer for a while. Eventually, he started his own design and illustration business called Diaz Icon. This allowed him to create his own unique art.
Awards and Exhibitions
David Díaz has received many important awards for his work. His art has also been shown in special exhibitions.
Awards
- 1995 Caldecott Medal: This is a very important award for children's picture book illustration in the U.S. David won it for Smoky Night by Eve Bunting.
- 1995 School Library Journal Best Book of the Year: Also for Smoky Night.
- 2009 Parents' Choice Award: For the book Ocean's Child.
He was also a runner-up for the Pura Belpré Award several times. This award honors Latino writers and illustrators whose work best portrays the Latino cultural experience.
- 2004 Pura Belpré Award runner-up for The Pot That Juan Built.
- 2006 Pura Belpré Award runner-up for César: ¡Sí, Se Puede! Yes, We Can!.
- 2010 Pura Belpré Award runner-up for Diego: Bigger Than Life.
Exhibitions
David's art has been displayed in special shows.
- 1997: "Going Home" art exhibit at the National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature in Abilene, Texas.
- 2010: "Golden Kite, Golden Dream" art exhibit, also at the National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature. This show celebrated art from books that won the Golden Kite Award.
Books Illustrated by David Díaz
David Díaz has illustrated many wonderful children's books. Here are some of them:
- Yes! We are Latinos by Alma Flor Ada and Isabel Campoy, Charlesbridge (2013)
- Martín de Porres: The Rose in the Desert by Gary Schmidt, Clarion (2012)
- Before You Came by Patricia MacLachlan & Emily MacLachlan Charest, HarperCollins (2011)
- Me, Frida by Amy Novesky, Harry N. Abrams Inc. (2010)
- Sharing the Seasons: A Book of Poems by Lee Bennett Hopkins, Simon & Schuster (2010)
- Let There Be Peace on Earth: And Let it Begin with Me by Jill Jackson and Sy Miller, Tricycle Press (2009)
- Ocean's Child by Christine Ford and Trish Holland, Golden Books (2009)
- Diego: Bigger Than Life by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand, Marshall Cavendish Corporation (2009)
- El Barrio by Deborah M. Newton Chocolate, Henry Holt & Company (2009)
- Build A Burrito by Denise Vega, Cartwheel Books (2008)
- De Colores: Bright With Colors, traditional folk song, Marshall Cavendish Corporation (2008)
- Castle Corona by Sharon Creech, HarperCollins (2007)
- Pocahontas: Princess of the New World by Kathleen Krull, Walker Books for Young Readers (2007)
- Counting Ovejas by Sarah Weeks, Atheneum (2006)
- Cesar: Si, Se Puede!/Yes, We Can! by Carmen Bernier-Grand, Marshall Cavendish Corporation (2006)
- Rin, Rin, Rin/Do, Re, Mi by José-Luis Orozco, Cartwheel Books (2005)
- Who's That Baby by Sharon Creech, HarperCollins (2005)
- Feliz Navidad: Two Stories Celebrating Christmas by José Feliciano, Cartwheel Books (2003)
- Angel Face by Sarah Weeks, Atheneum (2002)
- The Pot That Juan Built by Nancy Andrew-Goebel, Lee & Low Books (2002)
- Road Runner's Dance by Rudolfo A. Anaya, Disney Press (2000)
- Gospel Cinderella by Joyce Carol Thomas, HarperCollins (2000)
- Jump Rope Magic by Afi Scruggs and Afi-Odelia Scruggs, Scholastic (2000)
- The Wanderer by Sharon Creech, HarperCollins (1999)
- Shadow Story by Nancy Willard, HarperCollins (1999)
- The Little Scarecrow Boy by Margaret Wise Brown, HarperCollins (1999)
- Mother Goose Around the World: Big Book, Volume 4 by Lee Bennett Hopkins, William H. Sadlier, Inc. (1999)
- The Disappearing Alphabet by Richard Wilbur, Harcourt (1998)
- Be Not Far From Me by Eric A. Kimmel, Simon & Schuster (1998)
- December by Eve Bunting, Harcourt (1997)
- Wilma Unlimited: How Wilma Rudolph Became the World’s Fastest Woman by Kathleen Krull, Harcourt (1996)
- Passing Strange: True Tales of New England Hauntings and Horrors by Joseph Citro, Chapters Pub Ltd. (1996)
- The Inner City Mother Goose by Eve Merriam, Simon & Schuster (1996)
- Just One Flick of the Finger by Marybeth Lorbiecki, Dial (1996)
- Anansi's Narrow Waist by Len Cabral, Good Year Books (1994); translated as La Cintuita de Anansi (1995)
- Going Home by Eve Bunting, HarperCollins (1994)
- Smoky Night by Eve Bunting, Harcourt (1994)
- Neighborhood Odes by Gary Soto, Harcourt (1992)
