Multicultural Children's Literature Author Studies: John Steptoe

John Steptoe

Born September 15th, 1950 in Brooklyn.

Started working on his first picture book when he was 16 years old.

First book was published when he was 18 years old.

Has illustrated 16 books, 10 that he wrote himself.

Has the John Steptoe New Talent Award given in his honor for authors and illustrators.

Steptoe wrote and illustrated books that dealt with issues and important events in the African American community. He had 2 Caldecott honor books, won the Gold Medal from the Society of Illustrators, A Coretta Scott King Award, and more.

Quotes from John Steptoe
"I am not an exception to the rule among my race of people. I am the rule. By that I mean there are a great many others like me where I come from."

"When I give teacher workshops I am not afraid to say I am racist. We are all racist. When I talk to librarians I tell them to write letters to editors saying, we are tired of what they are publishing because all the kids we're teaching are not Dick and Jane. They don't live in that world, they don't look like that, they don't talk like that, and they are being hurt and need something better."

"What I try to create are all the things I didn't have as a kid that I would have liked to read. I'm in a position to do them now and if they're worth while I share them."

Books

Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters (1987)	Creativity (1997)	Stevie (1971)	She Come Bringing Me That Little Baby Girl (1993)
Thank You, Jackie Robinson (1997)	Daddy is a Monster…Sometimes (1983)	Birthday (1997)	All the Colors of the Race (1992).