Peter Parnall facts for kids

Peter Kommer Parnall, born on May 23, 1936, is an American artist and writer. He is famous for his work on books for young readers. His art and stories have won many awards. Some of his books are now special collector's items.

About Peter Parnall

Peter Parnall was born in Syracuse, New York, on May 23, 1936. He grew up in a small town called Willow Springs. This town was in the Mojave Desert.

His Journey to Art

In 1954, Peter went to Cornell University. He wanted to become a veterinarian, which is an animal doctor. But he got sick and had to leave school. After leaving Cornell, he moved west to train horses.

For his father's birthday, Peter drew a picture of a horse. His father loved it and hung it on the wall. He told Peter he should go back to school for art. So, Peter went to the Pratt Institute for two years. He left because he got bored.

From Ads to Books

Later, Peter started his own advertising business. He worked on ads for famous toys like Mr. Potato Head and G.I. Joe. He enjoyed this work for a while. But he eventually "got tired of convincing people they should buy stuff they don’t need." This made him want to do something different.

Peter Parnall's Creative Works

Peter Parnall has illustrated over eighty books written by other authors. He has also written and illustrated several of his own books. These books often focus on different natural places, called habitats.

His favorite way to create art is using pen and ink. He loves to draw subjects from the natural world. Many of his artworks have been sold as special, limited edition prints. These are signed and numbered by him.

Books Written and Illustrated by Peter Parnall

• 1973: The Great Fish (Doubleday)
• 1975: Alfalfa Hill (Doubleday)
• 1977: A Dog's Book of Birds (Scribner)
• 1984: Daywatchers (Macmillan)
• 1986: Winter Barn (Macmillan)
• 1988: Apple Tree (Macmillan)
• 1988: Feet! (Macmillan)
• 1989: Quiet (Morrow)
• 1989: Cats from Away (Macmillan)
• 1990: Woodpile (Macmillan)
• 1991: The Rock (Macmillan)
• 1991: Marsh Cat (Macmillan)
• 1991: Mountain (Doubleday)
• 1992: Stuffer (Macmillan)
• 1993: Spaces (Millbrook)
• 1993: Waterpup (Macmillan)

Books Illustrated by Peter Parnall

• 1960: A Picture Book of Interesting Words, text: Judith Klugman (Hart)
• 1962: Beyond Your Doorstep, text Hal Borland (Knopf)
• 1965: Of House and Cats, text Eunice De Chazeau (Random House)
• 1966: A Tale of Middle Length, text: Mary Francis Shura (Atheneum)
• 1967: A Dog's Book of Bugs, text: Elizabeth Griffen (Atheneum)
• 1967: Knee-Deep in Thunder, text: Sheila Moon (Atheneum)
• 1968: Desert Solitaire, text: Edward Abbey (McGraw-Hill)
• 1968: Tall Tales of the Catskills, text: Frank L. DuMond (Atheneum)
• 1969: A Beastly Circus, text: Peggy Parish (Simon & Schuster)
• 1969: Apricot ABC, text: Miska Miles (Little, Brown)
• 1970: But Ostriches, text: Aileen Fisher (Crowell)
• 1970: Doctor Rabbit, text: Jan Wahl (Delacorte)
• 1971: A Squirrel of One's Own, text: Douglas Fairbairn (McCall)
• 1971: Big Frog, Little Pond, text: George Mendoza (McCall)
• 1971: Annie and The Old One, text: Miska Miles (Little, Brown)
• 1971: The Nightwatchers, text Anugus Cameron (Four Winds Press)
• 1973: A Little Book of Beasts, text: Mary Ann Hoberman (Simon & Schuster)
• 1974: Everybody Needs A Rock, text: Byrd Baylor (Scribner)
• 1976: The Desert is Theirs, text: Byrd Baylor (Scribner) (Caldecott Honor)
• 1976: A Natural History of Marine Mammals, text: Victor Blanchard Scheffer (Scribner)
• 1977: Hawk, I'm Your Brother, text: Byrd Baylor (Scribner) (Caldecott Honor)
• 1978: The Other Way to Listen , text: Byrd Baylor (Scribner)
• 1979: The Way to Start a Day, text: Byrd Baylor (Scribner) (Caldecott Honor)
• 1980: If You Are a Hunter of Fossils, text: Byrd Baylor (Scribner)
• 1981: Desert Voices, text: Byrd Baylor (Scribner)
• 1985: Between Cattails, text: Terry Tempest Williams (Atheneum)
• 1986: I'm In Charge of Celebrations, text: Byrd Baylor (Scribner)
• 1986: Cat Will Rhyme With Hat, text: Jean Chapman (Scribner)
• 1992: Become A Bird And Fly, text: Michael E. Ross (Millbrook)
• 1994: The Table Where Rich People Sit, text: Byrd Baylor (Scribner)