This month, California School Library Foundation shines the spotlight on award-winning picture book illustrator Steve Gray. Gray has been a freelance illustrator for over twenty years. Prior to that, he worked in advertising for such clients as Disney, Warner Bros., McDonalds, Coca Cola, Sea World, and Knott’s Berry Farm.
Gray holds a BA in Graphic Communications from SDSU and a BA in Illustration from the Art Center College of Design. He originally created his illustrations mostly in pen and ink but now works primarily in Photoshop, at which he has been described by colleagues as a master. His drawings are, in his own words, “fun, humorous, detailed, colorful and wacky!”
Since becoming an illustrator, Gray has collaborated with numerous authors, including Ken Baker, Andy Hardie-Brown, and Nora Gaydos. He teamed with Jennifer Ward on a series of books based off the classic nursery rhyme “I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly.” With her playful words and fascinating characters, and Steve’s vivid and kooky graphics, the books are both memorable and highly entertaining.
He is also responsible for the delightful illustrations in Katy Duffield’s Farmer McPeepers and his Missing Milk Cows, which was chosen by CTA to promote Read Across America two years in a row and recognized as an Arkansas Diamond Primary Honor Book. In addition to his children’s book achievements, Gray’s animated film Santa’s Camels has been shown in over 70 film festivals around the world.
Steve resides in southern California. Learn more about his work on his website or on Facebook. Gray is currently booking in-person or virtual school visits for fall 2022. To schedule, PM him via Facebook.
You can also purchase a variety of products with two of Steve Gray’s illustrations, Moonlight Cows and Farm Cows, from the CSLA Library Advocacy Store. A portion of each purchase is donated to the
California School Library Foundation.
Lori Stevens
CSLF Treasurer
District Librarian
Rialto Unified School District
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