Brian Pinkney

Brian Pinkney photo

As a child, Brian Pinkney loved drawing pictures on every piece of paper he could find. He also loved watching his father, Jerry Pinkney, illustrate books for children. Brian couldn’t wait to grow up and do the same thing. Today Brian Pinkney is a New York Times bestselling illustrator who has illustrated numerous books for young readers, including two Caldecott Honor Books, The Faithful Friend by Robert D. San Souci and Duke Ellington by Andrea Davis Pinkney, his wife and frequent collaborator.

Brian has been awarded the Coretta Scott King Honor Award for illustration on three occasions, and the Coretta Scott King medal for In the Time of the Drums by Kim Siegelson. He is a five-time NAACP Image Award nominee, the recipient of many American Library Association Notable Book citations, and was acknowledged by National Council for Teachers of English for his vast contribution to the field of children’s literature.

Brian’s recent [2020] illustrated books include Martin Rising: Requiem for a King by Andrea Davis Pinkney. Additional recent works include In Your Hands by Carole Boston Weatherford, and Let’s Clap, Jump, Sing, and Shout by Patricia C. McKissack.

Not only is Brian a visual artist. He is also a writer who has authored several acclaimed picture books based on his own experiences and interests — books such as The Adventures of Sparrowboy, winner of the Boston Globe/Horn Book Award, Max Found Two Sticks, hailed by The Horn Book as one of the classic children’s books of all time. Brian’s books have been translated into several languages, thus reaching a broad and diverse mix of children.

As a fine artist, Brian’s paintings are exhibited vastly in museums and select gallery showings, and are also part of many distinguished private collections.

Brian was named among the “25 Most Influential People in our Children’s Lives” by Children’s Health magazine. He has served on the faculty in the Master’s Degree of Illustration department at the School of Visual Arts. He is a former chairperson for the Society of Illustrators Original Art Show.

Brian Pinkney lives in Brooklyn, New York, with his wife and frequent collaborator, author Andrea Davis Pinkney, their two children.

Brian’s daughter, Charnelle Pinkney Barlow is also a children’s book illustrator.

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26 Books by Brian Pinkney