kids encyclopedia robot

Ed Young (illustrator) facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Ed Young
Young at the Mazza Museum 2013 conference
Young at the Mazza Museum 2013 conference
Born Ed (Tse-chun) Young
(1931-11-28)November 28, 1931
Tianjin, China
Died September 29, 2023(2023-09-29) (aged 91)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Occupation Illustrator, writer, tai chi teacher
Nationality American
Period 1962–2023
Genre Children's picture books
Notable awards Caldecott Medal
1990
Carle Honors 2017

Ed Tse-chun Young (Chinese: 杨志成; pinyin: Yáng Zhìchéng; November 28, 1931 – September 29, 2023) was an amazing American artist and writer. He was born in China and became famous for illustrating children's picture books. Ed Young won many important awards, like the Caldecott Medal. He also received Lifetime Achievement awards for his big impact on children's books.

Ed Young's Early Life and Journey

Ed Young was born in Tianjin, China, on November 28, 1931. When he was three, his family moved to Shanghai. Ed loved making up stories and drawing from a young age. He felt like he could "disappear" into his own creative world. His father often told him stories, which helped spark his imagination.

In 1951, Young moved to the United States. He first planned to study architecture. But he soon became more interested in art and changed his studies. His first job was at an advertising agency in New York. During his lunch breaks, he would draw animals at the Central Park Zoo.

Ed's father once wrote him a letter. It said that a truly successful life is about helping others. It's not just about what you do for yourself. This message deeply inspired Ed. He realized his art could also inspire others. He wanted his work to help people live happier lives. He found that creating children's books was the perfect way to do this.

Creating Wonderful Books

Ed Young's first book was The Mean Mouse and Other Mean Stories. It came out in 1962. He thought it would be his only book. But it won an award and started his long career. He went on to create over one hundred books for children!

His books are known for their beautiful pictures. He used many different art styles and materials. These included pencil, pastels, cut paper, and even photos. He often used colors and images to share hidden meanings.

Ed believed that words and pictures work together. He said that some things words can't describe, and some things pictures can't show. He wanted his stories to be exciting for kids. He hoped his books would make readers think and grow. He felt that if a book made you feel something, it did its job.

When he worked on a book, he always did a lot of research. This was true whether he was drawing fantasy or real-life stories. He wanted his art to be accurate and believable. Through his unique images, he hoped to capture readers' attention. He also wanted to help them learn new things.

Awards for His Art

Ed Young won the famous Caldecott Medal in 1990. This was for his illustrations in Lon Po Po. This book was his version of a Red-Riding Hood story from China. The Caldecott Medal is a big award from the American Library Association. It honors the best picture book for children each year.

He was also a runner-up for the Caldecott Medal twice. This was for his books The Emperor and the Kite and Seven Blind Mice. Ed Young was also nominated for the international Hans Christian Andersen Award. This award is one of the highest honors for children's book creators. In 2016, he received Lifetime Achievement Awards. These came from the Eric Carle Museum and the Society of Illustrators.

Exhibits of His Work

Ed Young's original artwork has been shown in many places. His solo exhibit, "Journey Without End," was in Texas. He also took part in group shows. These included the Michaelson Gallery's Children’s Illustration Celebration. His art was also displayed at the Eric Carle Museum.

Ed Young and T'ai Chi

In 1964, Ed Young met a famous t'ai chi master named Cheng Man-ch'ing. T'ai chi is a Chinese way of exercising. It uses slow, gentle movements and deep breathing. Ed Young became one of Cheng's best students. He even helped translate Cheng's teachings.

Cheng Man-ch'ing was also a master of Chinese painting and poetry. Because Ed Young was Chinese and an artist, he learned a lot from Cheng. Ed Young became a respected t'ai chi teacher himself. He taught t'ai chi for over forty years. He taught in his hometown and at places like Yale University.

Awards and Honors

Ed Young received more than fifty awards for his work. Here are some of them:

Many of his books have been translated into other languages. These include Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish.

Works

Self-Illustrated Books for Children

  • (With Hilary Beckett) The Rooster's Horns: A Chinese Puppet Play to Make and Perform, 1978.
  • (Reteller) The Terrible Nung Gwama: A Chinese Folktale, 1978.
  • (Adaptor) The Lion and the Mouse: An Aesop Fable, 1979.
  • High on a Hill: A Book of Chinese Riddles, 1980.
  • Up a Tree, 1983.
  • The Other Bone, 1984.
  • (Translator) Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story from China, 1989.
  • (Reteller) Seven Blind Mice, 1992 (a version of The Blind men and an elephant).
  • (Reteller) Moon Mother: A Narrative American Creation Tale, 1993.
  • (Reteller) Red Thread, 1993.
  • (Reteller) Little Plum, 1994.
  • (Reteller) Donkey Trouble, 1995.
  • (Adaptor) Pinocchio, 1995.
  • (Reteller) Night Visitors, 1995.
  • Cat and Rat: The Legend of the Chinese zodiac, 1995.
  • (Reteller) Mouse Match: A Chinese Folktale, 1997 (a version of The Mouse Turned into a Maid).
  • (Adaptor) Genesis, 1997.
  • Voices of the Heart, 1997.
  • (Reteller) The Lost Horse: A Chinese Folktale, 1998.
  • Monkey King, 2001.
  • What About Me?, 2002.
  • I, Doko: The Tale of the Basket, 2004.
  • Sons of the Dragon King, 2004.
  • Beyond the Great Mountains, 2005.
  • My Mei Mei, 2006.
  • Tiger of the Snows, 2006.
  • Hook, 2009.
  • The House Baba Built, 2011.
  • Should You Be a River, 2015.
  • Cat From Hunger Mountain, 2016.
  • Voices of the Heart, 2019. (New edition).
  • (Reteller, with Stephen Cowan)The Weather’s Bet, 2020 (a version of Aesop The Wind and the Sun).

Books He Illustrated for Other Authors

  • Janice May Udry, The Mean Mouse and Other Mean Stories, 1962.
  • Leland B. Jacobs and Sally Nohelty, editors, Poetry for Young Scientists, 1964.
  • Margaret Hillert, The Yellow Boat, 1966.
  • Jane Yolen, The Emperor and the Kite, 1967.
  • Robert Wyndam, editor, Chinese Mother Goose Rhymes, 1968.
  • Kermit Krueger, The Golden Swans: A Picture Story from Thailand, 1969.
  • Mel Evans, The Tiniest Sound, 1969.
  • Jane Yolen, The Seventh Mandarin, 1970.
  • Renee K. Weiss, The Bird from the Sea, 1970.
  • Diane Wolkstein, Eight Thousand Stones: A Chinese Folktale, 1972.
  • Jane Yolen, The Girl Who Loved the Wind, 1972.
  • L. C. Hunt, editor, The Horse from Nowhere, 1973.
  • Donnarae MacCann and Olga Richard, The Child's First Books, 1973.
  • Elizabeth Foreman Lewis, Young Fu of the Upper Yangtze, 1973.
  • Diane Wolkstein, The Red Lion: A Tale of Ancient Persia, 1977.
  • Feenie Ziner, Cricket Boy: A Chinese Tale, 1977.
  • N. J. Dawood, Tales from the Arabian Nights, 1978.
  • Diane Wolkstein, White Wave: A Chinese Tale, 1979.
  • Priscilla Jaquith, Bo Rabbit Smart for True: Folktales from the Gullah, 1981.
  • Al-Ling Louie, Yeh-Shen: A Cinderella Story from China, 1982.
  • Mary Scioscia, Bicycle Rider, 1983.
  • Rafe Martin, Foolish Rabbit's Big Mistake, 1985.
  • Jean Fritz, The Double Life of Pocahontas, 1985.
  • Margaret Leaf, Eyes of the Dragon, 1987.
  • James Howe, I Wish I Were a Butterfly, 1987.
  • Tony Johnston, Whale Song, 1987.
  • Richard Lewis, In the Night, Still Dark, 1988.
  • Nancy Larrick, editor, Cats Are Cats, 1988.
  • Robert Frost, Birches, 1988.
  • Oscar Wilde, The Happy Prince, 1989.
  • Lafcadio Hearn, The Voice of the Great Bell, retold by Margaret Hodges, 1989.
  • Ruth Y. Radin, High in the Mountains, 1989.
  • Nancy Larrick, editor, Mice Are Nice, 1990.
  • Richard Lewis, All of You Was Singing, 1991.
  • Nancy White Carlstrom, Goodbye, Geese, 1991.
  • Barabara Savage Horton, What Comes in Spring?, 1992.
  • Mary Calhoun, While I Sleep, 1992.
  • Audrey Osofsky, Dreamcatcher, 1992.
  • Laura Krauss Melmed, The First Song Ever Sung, 1993.
  • Eleanor Coerr, Sadako and The Thousand Paper Cranes, 1993.
  • Isaac Olaleye, Bitter Bananas, 1994.
  • Shulamith Levey Oppenheim, reteller, Iblis, 1994.
  • Penny Pollock, reteller, The Turkey Girl: A Zuni Cinderella Story, 1996 ( a Native American version of Cinderella)
  • Lisa Westberg Peters, October Smiled Back, 1996.
  • Jack London, White Fang, 1999.
  • Mary Casanova, The Hunter: A Chinese Folktale, 2000.
  • Dorothea P. Seeber, A Pup Just for Me—A Boy Just for Me, 2000.
  • Tony Johnston, Desert Song, 2000.
  • Nikki Grimes, Tai Chi Morning: Snapshots of China, 2004.
  • Andrea Cheng, Shanghai Messenger, 2005.
  • Dennis Haseley, Twenty Heartbeats, 2008.
  • Mark Reibstein, Wabi Sabi, 2008.
  • Kimiko Kajikawa, Tsunami!, 2009.
  • Brenda Z. Guiberson, Moon Bear, 2010.
  • Robert Burleigh, Tiger of the Snows: Tenzing Norgay: The Boy Whose Dream Was Everest, 2010.
  • Ashley Ramsden, Seven Fathers 2011.
  • Michelle Cuevas, The Masterwork of a Painting Elephant 2011.
  • Marilyn Singer, A Strange Place to Call Home: The World's Most Dangerous Habitats & the Animals That Call Them Home, 2012.
  • Barbara DaCosta, Nighttime Ninja, 2012.
  • Gary Golio, Bird and Diz, 2015.
  • Barbara DaCosta, Mighty Moby, 2017.
  • Gary Golio, Smile: How Young Charlie Chaplin Taught the World to Laugh (and Cry), 2019.
  • Mark Reibstein, Yugen, 2019.
  • Brenda Peterson, Catastrophe by the Sea, 2019.
  • Barbara DaCosta, Night Shadows, 2020.

Film

kids search engine
All content from Kiddle encyclopedia articles (including the article images and facts) can be freely used under Attribution-ShareAlike license, unless stated otherwise. Cite this article:
Ed Young (illustrator) Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.