E. B. Lewis (illustrator) facts for kids

Earl Bradley Lewis, born on December 16, 1956, is an American artist and illustrator. He is famous for his beautiful watercolor pictures in children's books. Some of his well-known works include The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson and Preaching to the Chickens: The Story of Young John Lewis by Jabari Asim.

Lewis has won many awards for his illustrations. These include the 2016 New York Times Best Illustrated Book Award for Preaching to the Chickens. He also received the 2005 Caldecott Honor Award for Jacqueline Woodson's book Coming on Home Soon.

Today, Lewis lives in Folsom, New Jersey. He also teaches art at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia.

Early Life and Education

Earl Bradley Lewis was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This was on December 16, 1956.

He showed a talent for art from a young age. Two of his uncles were artists, and they inspired him. By the sixth grade, he was already taking art classes. These classes were held on Saturday mornings at the School of Art League. This school was part of Temple University.

Later, Lewis went to the Tyler School of Art at Temple University. There, he discovered his love for painting with watercolors. He studied illustration, graphic design, and art education. After college, he taught art for twelve years. He worked in public schools and at a hospital. Now, he teaches at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. He also continues his own painting and illustration work.

Career as an Illustrator

E.B. Lewis has illustrated more than seventy books for children. His journey as a children's book illustrator began in 1992.

His watercolor paintings were featured in Artist Magazine. Two agents, Elizabeth O’Grady and Jeff Dwyer, saw his work. They knew an art director at Simon & Schuster. This director was looking for African American artists. Lewis talked with them and soon joined their team. Within a year, he left his teaching job. He then completed the pictures for his first book. This book was Fire On The Mountain by Jane Kurtz.

Since then, Lewis has illustrated many popular books. These include Talkin' About Bessie: The Story of Aviator Elizabeth Coleman by Nikki Grimes. He also illustrated Down the Road by Alice Schertle. Other books are My Rows and Piles of Coins by Tolowa M. Mollel. He also worked on Bat Boy and His Violin by Gavin Curtis. And My Best Friend by Mary Ann Rodman. Of course, there is also The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson.

One special book he illustrated is Circle Unbroken. This book was written by Margot Theis Raven. In 2007, parts of the book were set to music. The music was by the famous composer William Grant Still. Members of Chamber Music Charleston performed it. They used it for educational shows. A short film was also made. It showed these performances along with Lewis's illustrations.

In 2003, a large collection of Lewis’s original watercolors was bought. These were from the first fifty children's books he illustrated. They are now kept at The Kerlan Collection. This collection is at the University of Minnesota. His artwork is also owned by many private collectors across the United States.

Around 2011, Lewis took a break from illustrating for about two and a half years. He wanted to focus on his fine art. He said he wanted his art to "speak to what’s happening in our society." This led to his "Lotto Icons" series. These paintings were made on lottery tickets. He covered them with gold leaf. Then he scratched parts away to show sad faces of children.

Lewis is currently on the board of the Hall of Fame of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. He is also a member of The Society of Illustrators in New York City.

Awards and Recognitions

E.B. Lewis has received many awards for his amazing illustrations:

• 1996 - ALA Notable Children's Book Award for Down the Road by Alice Schertle.
• 1999 - Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor for The Bat Boy and His Violin by Gavin Curtis.
• 2002 - Notable Book for the Language Arts Award for The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson.
• 2003 - Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award Winner for Talkin’ About Bessie: The Story of Aviator Elizabeth Coleman by Nikki Grimes.
• 2005 - Caldecott Honor Award for Coming on Home Soon by Jacqueline Woodson.
• 2006 - Charlotte Zolotow Award for My Best Friend by Mary Ann Rodman.
• 2009 - Orbis Picture Award for The Secret World of Walter Anderson by Hester Bass.
• 2016 - New York Times Best Illustrated Book Award. He also won the Kirkus Best Illustrated Book Award. And the Golden Kite Honor Award for Preaching to the Chickens: The Story of Young John Lewis by Jabari Asim.