Anne Rockwell

I was born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1934 but spent much of my childhood traveling throughout the United States. From the farmlands of northern Mississippi where my grandparents lived, to the magnificent landscape of the American Southwest, I learned to look, the most important skill an artist can develop. People used to say I was born reading. I can’t remember when I learned to draw and paint but I never dreamed of becoming anything but an artist.

By the time I was 18, I was living on my own in New York City, working and attending art classes at night, and learning from masters in museums. In 1955 I married Harlow Rockwell, an advertising art director and illustrator. When our daughter Hannah was born in 1958, I bought picture books. Sharing the joy of reading with her was one of the greatest pleasures I’ve ever had. I was sure that creating books for children was what I was meant to do. By some strange miracle, the first publisher who saw it published my first effort, Paul and Arthur Search for the Egg (Doubleday, 1964).

By 1966 we had two more children, Elizabeth (Lizzy) and Oliver. I was fascinated by the different ways individual babies used their developing language to make sense of the world, and the way books helped them find their way. I think I learned as much about making books for young children by reading to our three as was possible.

We soon needed more space and moved to Old Greenwich, Connecticut, a community on the shore of Long Island Sound, where we could walk and sail and sketch by the beach, feed birds, have a garden and a dog. I was gaining confidence as a writer. Some books I wanted to write struck me as suited to my husband’s style of artwork, particularly those having to do with the real world, which he was able to present with simplicity, grace, and charm, as well as uncanny accuracy. By 1977, we were collaborating on books full-time.

After he died in 1988, our daughter Lizzy illustrated a picture book I’d written for him, Apples and Pumpkins. This book has become a classic, enjoyed in homes, schoolrooms, and library story hours as soon as there’s a nip of fall in the air. Since its publication Lizzy and I have done 14 books together, with more in the works! Leonard Marcus, that fine historian of children’s books has done a chapter on us in his book, Pass It Down.

My own illustration style continues to evolve. Two of my recent picture books are Here Comes the Night and My Preschool. For these books I wanted the soft and painterly effects you get with monoprints. My granddaughter Julianna, who is a wonderful painter, helped me with the printing.

It’s thrilling to see these gifts continuing through generations of the family!


					The First Day of School written by Anne Rockwell illustrated by Lizzy Rockwell HarperCollins, 2011 ISBN 978-0060501914 (hardcover) The kids from Mrs. Madoff's classroom are preparing for a brand-new school year! The first day of school is full of new things. New is exciting! But it can also be scary. What will school be like this year? Get ready to share in the excitement of the first day of school with friends old and new!



					Whoo! Whoo! Goes the Train written by Anne Rockwell illustrated by Anne Rockwell, Vanessa van der Baan HarperCollins, 2009 ISBN 978-0060562281 (hardcover) On Allan’s first train ride, every twist and turn brings a new sound. Clickety-clack! The train goes over a bridge. Clang! Clang! It nears a crossing. Whoosh! The doors slide open at a station. But Allan’s favorite sound—Whoo! Whoo!—doesn’t come until the very last stop, when he gets the best surprise of all.



					What’s So Bad About Gasoline? Fossil Fuels and What They Do written by Anne Rockwell illustrated by Paul Meisel HarperCollins, 2009 ISBN 978-0061575273 (hardcover) The world is dependent on oil as its main source of energy. Although oil is plentiful right now, the supply will eventually run out, and even worse, burning oil is very damaging to the environment. What alternatives can help us use less oil and how can we protect the environment?



					Open the Door to Liberty! a Biography of Toussaint L’Ouverture written by Anne Rockwell illustrated by R. Gregory Christie Houghton Mifflin, 2009 ISBN 978-0618605705 (hardcover) The island now known as Haiti was once a French colony called St. Domingue, where white plantation owners forced hundreds of thousands of African slaves to farm sugar cane. Toussaint L’Ouverture was one of those slaves ... but not for long. The day would come when L’Ouverture would lead his island’s slaves into a revolution for freedom, and his efforts would influence the course of history.



					Big George: How a Shy Boy Became President Washington written by Anne Rockwell illustrated by Matt Phelan Houghton Mifflin, 2008 ISBN 978-0152165833 (hardcover) Before he was the face on the dollar bill, George Washington was a shy boy with a hot temper. But George had character and adaptability. He taught himself courage and self-control. At an early age, and without really realizing it, George Washington gathered the qualities he'd need to become one of the greatest leaders America has ever known.



					My Preschool written and illustrated by Anne Rockwell Henry Holt & Co, 2008 ISBN 978-0805079555 (hardcover) Join a happy little boy during a day at preschool, from cheerful hellos during circle time, to painting colorful pictures and playing at the water table before snack time. This is where friendships are made and tested, in the midst of all the fun and interesting work. And before this little boy knows it, it’s time to go home. But the best part of saying good-bye at the end of the day is that the little boy knows he will come back to his preschool tomorrow.



					Clouds written by Anne Rockwell illustrated by Frane Lessac HarperCollins, 2008 ISBN 978-0060291013 (hardcover) ISBN 978-0064452205 (paperback) Watching clouds move and make shapes is fascinating and gives us important information. This book teaches the youngest listeners and readers the names and shapes of clouds they see. It explains which clouds bring good weather and which ones bring storms. Children can become weather forecasters for their family and neighbors!



					Brendan and Belinda and the Slam Dunk! written by Anne Rockwell illustrated by Paul Meisel HarperCollins, 2007 ISBN 978-0060284435 (hardcover) When Brendan and Belinda join the elite Jump Shot Juniors League, they don't have time for anything but basketball. But how can they disappoint Dad, their biggest fan? Two young athletes learn that playing for the top team isn't as important as enjoying the game.



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