Michael Allen Austin facts for kids
Michael Allen Austin (born August 30, 1965) is an American artist who draws pictures for children's books. He is really good at bringing stories to life with his illustrations! Some of the books he has illustrated include Cowpoke Clyde and Dirty Dawg, The Horned Toad Prince, and Railroad John and the Red Rock Run. You might have also seen his drawings in popular magazines like Highlights for Children, Spider, and Cricket. His art has even been shown in galleries and museums across the United States.
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Becoming an Artist
Michael Allen Austin grew up in Florida. He was the older of two brothers. Even as a kid, he loved to draw his favorite characters from shows like The Addams Family and Scooby-Doo, and from Disney movies. When he first went to college, he started studying to become a Medical Technologist. But he soon realized that his true passion was art! So, he changed his major to follow his dream.
After college, Michael moved to New Orleans. This is where he began his career as an illustrator. He started by creating cool displays for the music industry. Today, he lives in Georgia with his wife, Kim, and their sheepdog, Riley. Guess what? Kim and Riley often appear as characters in his books! Michael is represented by Portfolio Solutions in New York. He has also helped judge the Young Georgia Authors Competition, which encourages young writers.
Michael gets inspiration from other famous artists like Charles Addams, Chris VanAllsburg, C.F. Payne, Edward Gorey, and Peter de Séve.
His Amazing Artwork
Michael Allen Austin's illustrations are known for being very special. Critics have praised his work, calling it "luminous" and "stunning." Publishers Weekly described his drawings as "whimsical, haunting and dynamic," meaning they can be playful, mysterious, and full of energy all at once. Children's Literature noted that his characters look almost like "sculptures," showing how much detail and depth he puts into them. Kirkus Reviews even called his compositions "clever," highlighting how smartly he arranges his pictures.
You might have seen Michael on TV programs like The Author in You on GCPSTV. He has also been part of The Georgia Department of Education’s Georgia Read More Literacy Program, which helps kids love reading. A famous author and host from PBS's Between the Lions, Fred Newman, even read one of Michael's books on PBS!
Awards and Honors
Michael Allen Austin's books have received many awards and honors from different groups. These awards show that his work is recognized as some of the best in children's literature. Some of the organizations that have honored his books include the Society of Illustrators, the IRC/CBC Children’s Choice Awards, and the Pura Belpre Medal. His books have also been recognized by Parent’s Guide to Media Awards and Bank Street College of Education.
Two of his books, Railroad John and the Redrock Run and Martina the Beautiful Cockroach, were even nominated for the Georgia Children's Picture Book Award in 2010-2011. Teachers and media specialists from Georgia choose the books for these awards.
Here are some of the specific honors his books have received:
Sam Patch; Daredevil Jumper
- Won a Gold Award from the Society of Illustrators Los Angeles.
- Received a Storytelling World Resource Award.
Martina the Beautiful Cockroach
This book has won many awards!
- It was an honor book for the Pura Belpre Medal.
- It was recognized by the NCSS/CBC Notable Trade Books for Young People in the Field of Social Studies.
- It was on the Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List.
- It was named one of The Best Children’s Books of the Year by Bank Street College of Education.
- It was an honor book for the Irma Simonton and James H. Black Award for the Best Picture Book of the Year.
- It won an International Latino Book Award for Best Children’s Picture Book (English).
- It received an Américas Award for Children’s and Young Adult Literature.
- It was selected for Read On Wisconsin! and the Volunteer State Book Awards.
- It was a Junior Library Guild Selection.
- It received a starred review from Criticas Magazine.
- It won awards from the Society of School Librarians International Book Awards and the Odyssey Award (honor book).
- It also won a Storytelling World Resource Award, the Children's Book Award (Florida), the Texas Bluebonnet Award, and the Virginia Reader's Choice Awards.
Railroad John and the Red Rock Run
- Chosen by the Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles for their exhibition and annual book.
- Received a Storytelling World Award for stories for pre-adolescent listeners.
Late For School
- Selected by the Society of Illustrators for their Annual Exhibition.
- Won a Children's Choice award.
- Received a Parent's Guide to Children's Media Award.
- Was on the Reader/Selector List for the Show Me Readers Award (Missouri) and the Master Reading List for the Volunteer State Book Award (Tennessee).
The Horned Toad Prince
- Selected by the Society of Illustrators for their Original Art exhibition.
- Included on the 2 x 2 Reading List by the Children’s Round Table, Texas Library Association.
- Was on the Masterlist for the Land of Enchantment Award, New Mexico Library Association.
- Received a Willa Award.
