Petra Mathers facts for kids

Petra Mathers, born in 1945, is an American author and artist. She is well-known for writing and drawing pictures for children's picture books.

Petra Mathers: Her Life and Creative Journey

Petra Mathers was born in the Black Forest region of Germany in 1945. This was right at the end of the Second World War. Instead of going to university, she chose to learn about the book business. She completed a three-year apprenticeship.

Later, wanting to explore the world, Petra and her husband moved to the United States. They made their home in Portland, Oregon. She first worked as a waitress. Then, she got a job in a children's bookstore. It was there that she began painting. She started by creating pictures for her son's room.

Over time, her artwork was shown in art galleries. These galleries were located in Oregon and Washington. In 1983, she got her first job illustrating a children's book. Two years later, in 1985, she wrote and illustrated her very first book. Petra Mathers has now illustrated more than 40 books. She also wrote 12 of those books herself. Today, she lives in Astoria, Oregon.

Her Unique Artistic Style

Petra Mathers is a self-taught artist. This means she learned to draw and paint on her own. She has a very special and easy-to-recognize artistic style.

One art critic, H. Nichols B. Clark, described her art. He said she creates "simplified forms that comprise flat shapes." This means her drawings often use simple, flat shapes. She carefully arranges these shapes. The way she puts them together is just as important as the story the pictures tell.

Another expert, Linnea Hendricks, explained more about Mathers' picture books. She said they mix a "flat, naive, folklike style with wit." This means her art looks simple and charming, like folk art. But it also has cleverness and a strong sense of design. Her books are often praised for being fresh, original, and full of real feeling.

Awards and Special Honors

Petra Mathers' work has received many awards and much praise. Here are some of the honors she has earned:

• 1985—Ezra Jack Keats Award for Maria Theresa
• 1986—New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book of the Year for Molly's New Washing Machine (written by Laura Geringer)
• 1988—New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book of the Year for Theodor and Mr. Balbini
• 1990—New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book of the Year for I'm Flying (written by Alan Wade)
• 1991—Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Sophie and Lou
• 1995—Society of Illustrators Silver Medal for Kisses from Rosa
• 1999—New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book of the Year for Lottie's New Friend
• 1999—Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Award for Illustration for Lottie's New Friend
• 1999—Society of Illustrators Silver Medal for Lottie's New Friend