paul o. zelinskyPaul O. Zelinsky grew up in Wilmette, Illinois, the son of a mathematics professor father and a medical illustrator mother. He drew compulsively from an early age, but did not know until college that this would be his career. As a Sophomore in Yale College he enrolled in a course on the history and practice of the picture book, co-taught by an English professor and Maurice Sendak. This experience inspired Paul to point himself in the direction of children's books. His first book appeared in 1978, since which time he has become recognized as one of the most inventive and critically successful artists in the field.

He now lives with his wife in Brooklyn, New York. They have two grown daughters.

Among many other awards and prizes, he received the 1998 Caldecott Medal for his illustrated retelling of Rapunzel, as well as Caldecott Honors for three of his books: Hansel and Gretel (1985), Rumpelstiltskin (1987), and Swamp Angel (1995). In 2018, Paul was given the Carle Honor Award for Illustration.

 

Toys Go Out rapunzel swamp angel wheels on the bus
TOYS GO OUT
By Emily Jenkins
RAPUNZEL
Retold by Paul O. Zelinsky
SWAMP ANGEL
By Anne Isaacs
THE WHEELS ON THE BUS,
Adapted by Paul O. Zelinsky
rumpelstiltskin hansel and gretel dear mr. henshaw AOAKFH
RUMPELSTILTSKIN,
Retold by Paul O. Zelinsky
HANSEL AND GRETEL
Retold by Rika Lesser
DEAR MR. HENSHAW
By Beverly Cleary

ALL-OF-A-KIND FAMILY HANNUKAH
by Emily Jenkins

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For a Complete Book List, click here

Paul Zelinsky is available to visit schools, libraries, and other venues. Click here for information about Paul's appearances

If you wish to request a speaking date, please send an email to appearances@paulozelinsky.com.

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