An inspiring memoir of one of the most acclaimed childrenâs book illustrators of all time, sharing the story of a young artist who finds the courage to follow his passion against all odds.
Jerry Pinkney drew everywhere, all the time. It was how he made sense of the worldâhow he coped with the stress of being a sensitive child growing up in crowded spaces, struggling with a learning disability, in a time when the segregation of Black Americans was the norm. Only drawing could offer him a sense of calm, control, and confidence. When friends and siblings teased him about having the nickname âJerryâ as his only name, his mother always said, âJust âJerryâ is enough. Heâll make something of that name someday.â And so he did, eventually becoming one of the most celebrated childrenâs book illustrators of all time and paving the way for countless other Black artists.
Jerryâs vivid recollections and lively sketchbook drawings of his youth in postwar America tell an inspiring story of how a hardworking boy pursued his passion in less-than-ideal circumstances and became a legendary artist against all odds.
Editor’s note. Photographs and reproductions. Timeline of key dates and select accomplishments. Black-and-white sketches.