Jeannie Baker facts for kids

Jeannie Baker is an amazing artist and author from England who now lives in Australia. She's famous for her unique picture books for kids, which are illustrated with incredible collages. Her work often shows how much she cares about nature and the environment. Many of her books have won special awards!

About Jeannie Baker

Jeannie Baker was born in London, England, on November 2, 1950. She loved art and studied graphic design at Croydon School of Art and Brighton Polytechnic. In 1975, she moved to Australia, which became her new home.

Jeannie is known for her special way of making art. She creates detailed collages using many different textures. Imagine using real bark, feathers, or even rusty tin in a picture! She likes to use materials that match what she's showing. This makes her artwork feel very real and alive.

Her collages are not just for her books. They are also seen as individual pieces of art. You can find them in many public art collections. Her work has been shown in art galleries in London, New York, and all over Australia.

Jeannie Baker writes and illustrates her own award-winning picture books. Some of her famous books include Where The Forest Meets the Sea, which is about the Daintree Rainforest. This book won several awards, including an honour from the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY). Her books Window and Mirror both won the Children’s Book Council of Australia Picture Book of the Year Award.

Jeannie's books often explore important topics. She writes about family, society, and how we can live in a way that helps the planet (this is called sustainability). She also explores ideas like urban spaces without cars, how cities grow, and how land can be damaged. Her books also celebrate the wonder of nature and the Australian outback. She was even nominated for the important Hans Christian Andersen Award for Illustration in 2018.

Jeannie Baker's Books

Jeannie Baker has created many wonderful picture books:

• Polar (1975)
• Grandfather (1977)
• Grandmother (1978)
• Millicent (1980)
• One Hungry Spider (1982)
• Home in the Sky (1984)
• Where the Forest Meets the Sea (1988)
• Window (1991)
• The Story of Rosy Dock (1995)
• The Hidden Forest (2000)
• Belonging (also called Home in the United States) (2004)
• Mirror (2010)
• Circle (2016)
• Playing with Collage (2019)
• Desert Jungle (2023)

Art Exhibitions

Jeannie Baker's artworks are displayed in many important places. These include the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney and the National Library of Australia in Canberra.

Her exhibition called Circle has traveled to many museums and galleries. It follows the journey of special birds called Godwits.

• Australian National Maritime Museum (Sydney) - May to July 2016
• Newcastle Museum - August to October 2016
• Canberra Museum & Gallery - November 2016 to February 2017
• Royal Botanic Gardens of Victoria (Melbourne) - March to May 2017
• Botanic Gardens of South Australia (Adelaide) - June to August 2017
• Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (Hobart) - September to November 2017
• Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens (Brisbane) - December 2017 to February 2018
• Bundaberg Art Gallery - March to May 2018

Another traveling exhibition is called Desert Jungle.

• Penrith Performing and Visual Arts Gallery - May to July 2023
• State Library of South Australia (Adelaide) - December 2023 to February 2024
• Shoalhaven Regional Art Gallery (Nowra) - March to May 2024
• Royal Botanic Gardens (Sydney) - May to June 2024

Animated Films

Jeannie Baker has also directed animated films based on her books:

• Where the Forest Meets the Sea (a 10-minute film)
• The Story of Rosy Dock (a 10-minute film)

Awards and Recognition

Jeannie Baker's books have won many awards and honours. This shows how much her stories and art are loved and respected.

• Circle
  • Indie Award Best Children's Book 2017
  • Riverby Award Natural History Writing for Children 2017

• Mirror
  • Children’s Book Council of Australia Picture Book of the Year Award Joint Winner 2011
  • Indies (Independent Booksellers Association Awards) Children’s Book of the Year Winner 2011

• Belonging
  • The Wilderness Society Fiction Award for Children’s Books 2005
  • ALA Notable Book USA 2005

• The Hidden Forest
  • Australian Wilderness Society Fiction Award for Children’s Books 2001

• The Story of Rosy Dock
  • Children’s Book Council of Australia Picture book of the Year Honour Book Award 1990
  • The Australian Wilderness Society Fiction Award for Children’s books 1996

• Window
  • Children’s Book Council of Australia Picture Book of the Year Award 1992
  • Young Australian’s Best Book Award Picture Books 1992

• Where the Forest Meets the Sea
  • Australian Children’s Book Council Picture Book of the Year Honour Book 1988
  • Earthworm Book Award Friends of the Earth UK 1988

• Home in the Sky
  • The American Library Association Notable Book 1984