Eric Velásquez Explained

Occupation:Illustrator
Birth Place:New York City, United States
Awards:
Education:School of Visual Arts (BFA, 1983)

Eric A. Velásquez is an American author and illustrator of over 30 children's books. Among other honors, he has won a John Steptoe New Talent Award (2001), Pura Belpré Award (2011), and NAACP Image Award (2021).[1]

Velásquez was born in New York City, and grew up in Spanish Harlem. He is of Afro-Puerto Rican descent, and his first language was Spanish. He graduated from the High School of Art and Design,[2] then in 1983 received a Bachelor of Arts from School of Visual Arts, after which he studied at the Art Students League of New York with Harvey Dinnerstein.[3] [4]

Before illustrating picture books, Velásquez designed book jackets and interior illustrations, including for Beverley Naidoo's Journey to Jo'burg (1986) and Chain of Fire (1990).[5] His first illustrated picture book was Debbie Chocolate's The Piano Man (2000), which he won the 2001 John Steptoe New Talent Award for Illustrators. He debuted as an author in 2001 with Grandma's Records.

As of 2014, Velásquez lived in New York City and taught book illustration at the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Awards and honors

The Association for Library Service to Children has named five of the books Velásquez has published as Notable Children's Books: Grandma's Gift (2011),[6] Beautiful Moon (2015),[7] Schomburg (2018),[8] Ruth Objects (2021),[9] and ¡Mambo Mucho Mambo! (2022).[10] Three of the books Velásquez has illustrated have been included on lists: Touch the Sky (2013),[11] Ruth Objects (2021),[12] and She Was The First! (2021).

Kirkus Reviews and Shelf Awareness included Schomburg on their list of the best picture books of 2017.[13] [14] The following year, Booklist included it on their lists of the "Top 10 Biographies for Youth"[15] and "Top 10 Diverse Nonfiction for Older and Middle Readers".[16] In 2021, Booklist included ¡Mambo Mucho Mambo! on their list of the "Top 10 Arts Books for Youth".[17] The following year, they included Going Places on their "Booklist Editors' Choice: Books for Youth" list.[18]

Awards for Velásquez's books!Year!Title!Award!Result!
1999John Steptoe New Talent Award[19]
2001Carter G. Woodson Book Award (Elementary Level)[20]
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work – Children
2011Grandma's GiftPura Belpré Award for Illustrator[21]
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work – Children
2015Beautiful MoonCharlotte Zolotow Award[22]
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work – Children[23]
2016New ShoesNAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work – Children[24]
2018SchomburgAAUW NC Award for Young People’s Literature[25]
Carter G. Woodson Book Award (Middle Level)
Golden Kite Award for Non-Fiction for Younger Readers[26] [27]
Jefferson Cup Award[28]
Walter Dean Myers Award for Younger Readers[29]
YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction[30]
2021She Was the First!NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work – Children

Publications

As author/illustrator

As illustrator

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bosselman . Haley . March 28, 2021 . NAACP Image Awards 2021: The Complete Televised Winners List . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210412143639/https://variety.com/2021/awards/news/2021-naacp-image-awards-winners-list-1234939378/ . April 12, 2021 . April 6, 2021 . Variety.
  2. Web site: McDonald . Jennie . 2014-11-24 . Interview with Eric Velasquez . 2024-06-08 . Collaborative Classroom . February 23, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240223132942/https://www.collaborativeclassroom.org/blog/interview-with-eric-velasquez/ . live .
  3. Web site: Velasquez, Eric . 2024-06-08 . . March 2, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230302083123/https://www.encyclopedia.com/children/scholarly-magazines/velasquez-eric . live .
  4. Web site: Eric Velasquez, Children’s Book Author, Illustrator Storyteller ★ . 2024-06-08 . . en . March 23, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230323133206/https://aalbc.com/authors/author.php?author_name=Eric+Velasquez . live .
  5. Web site: 1992-01-01 . Journey to Jo'burg: A South African Story by Beverley Naidoo, Eric Velasquez . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240602205459/https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780397321681 . June 2, 2024 . 2024-06-08 . Publishers Weekly.
  6. Web site: ALSC announces 2011 Notable Children's Books . 2024-06-08 . . en . June 19, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200619124219/http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2011/01/alsc-announces-2011-notable-childrens-books . live .
  7. Web site: ALSC names 2015 Notable Children's Books . 2024-06-08 . . en . December 8, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221208034306/https://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2015/03/alsc-names-2015-notable-childrens-books . live .
  8. Web site: 2018-04-12 . ALSC names 2018 Notable Children's Books . 2024-06-08 . . en . January 9, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220109204347/https://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2018/04/alsc-names-2018-notable-childrens-books . live .
  9. Web site: 2021-03-30 . ALSC names 2021 Notable Children's Books . 2024-06-08 . . en . June 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240608050038/https://www.ala.org/news/2011/10/alsc-names-2021-notable-childrens-books . live .
  10. Web site: 2022 Notable Children's Books . 2024-06-08 . . . en.
  11. Web site: Touch the Sky: Alice Coachman, Olympic High Jumper . 2024-06-08 . . en . June 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240608050036/https://www.ala.org/winner/touch-sky-alice-coachman-olympic-high-jumper . live .
  12. Web site: 2021 Rise: A Feminist Book Project List ALA . 2024-06-08 . . en . January 29, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230129221426/https://www.ala.org/rt/2021-rise-feminist-book-project-list . live .
  13. Web site: 2017-12-19 . Our 2017 Best Children's & Teen Books of the Year . 2024-06-08 . . December 4, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231204161924/https://www.shelf-awareness.com/readers-issue.html?issue=673 . live .
  14. Web site: Best of 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240602204122/https://www.kirkusreviews.com/best-of/2017/picture-books/books/ . June 2, 2024 . 2024-06-02 . . en.
  15. Web site: Smith . Julia . 2018-06-01 . Top 10 Biographies for Youth: 2018 . 2024-06-08 . . June 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240602205156/https://www.booklistonline.com/ProductInfo.aspx?pid=9600696 . live .
  16. Web site: Cooper . Ilene . 2018-02-01 . Top 10 Diverse Nonfiction for Older and Middle Readers: 2018 . 2024-06-08 . . August 27, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230827215658/https://www.booklistonline.com/ProductInfo.aspx?pid=9351092 . live .
  17. Web site: Smith . Julia . 2021-10-15 . Top 10 Arts Books for Youth: 2021 . 2024-06-08 . . May 18, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220518234359/https://www.booklistonline.com/ProductInfo.aspx?pid=9754903 . live .
  18. Web site: 2022-12-01 . Booklist Editors' Choice: Books for Youth, 2022 . 2024-06-08 . . April 18, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230418064938/https://www.booklistonline.com/Booklist-Editors-Choice/pid=9772528 . live .
  19. Web site: John Steptoe New Talent Award Coretta Scott King Roundtable . 2024-06-08 . . en . June 3, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240603030753/https://www.ala.org/cskbart/cskbookawards/johnsteptoe . live .
  20. Web site: Carter G. Woodson Book Award Winners and Honorees . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190427204823/https://www.socialstudies.org/awards/woodson/winners . April 27, 2019 . 2024-06-02 . National Council for the Social Studies.
  21. Web site: 2011-05-31 . Pura Belpré Award celebrates 15th anniversary with "Quinces" celebración at Annual Conference . 2024-06-08 . . en . June 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240608050038/https://www.ala.org/news/2011/05/pura-belpre-award-celebrates-15th-anniversary-quinces-celebracion-annual-conference . live .
  22. Web site: Charlotte Zolotow Award (for Outstanding Writing in Picture Books) . 2024-06-08 . Cooperative Children's Book Center . . en-US . November 27, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221127175530/https://ccbc.education.wisc.edu/booklists/ . live .
  23. Web site: Washington . Arlene . February 6, 2015 . 2015 Image Winners . May 11, 2016 . . April 27, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160427142348/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/naacp-image-awards-2015-winners-771018 . live .
  24. Web site: 6 February 2016 . 2016 Image Winners . May 11, 2016 . . February 27, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160227131516/http://variety.com/2016/film/news/naacp-awards-winners-list-image-creed-queen-latifah-1201698809/ . live .
  25. Web site: 2018-12-07 . 2018 Young People's Literature Award to Carole Boston Weatherford » AAUW NC . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240602210317/https://www.aauwnc.org/2018-young-peoples-literature-award/ . June 2, 2024 . 2024-06-02 . AAUW NC . en-US.
  26. Web site: Carole Boston Weatherford, Children's Book Author, Poet, Author ★ . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240602210224/https://aalbc.com/authors/author.php?author_name=Carole+Boston+Weatherford . June 2, 2024 . 2024-06-02 . . en.
  27. Web site: January 11, 2018 . Awards: National Jewish Book; Golden Kite . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221013182353/https://www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=3162#m39050 . 2022-10-13 . 2023-02-23 . Shelf Awareness.
  28. Web site: 2018 Jefferson Cup Award Winners and Honors Announced . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240602203648/https://www.vla.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1082:2018-jefferson-cup-award-winners-and-honors-announced&catid=20:site-content . June 2, 2024 . 2024-06-02 . Virginia Library Association.
  29. Web site: 2018-01-19 . Awards: WNDB Walters; 800-CEO-READ Biz Book of the Year . 2024-06-08 . . January 30, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230130081829/https://www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=3167 . live .
  30. Web site: 2018 Nonfiction Award Nominations . 2024-06-08 . . . en . December 30, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231230180510/https://www.ala.org/yalsa/2018-nonfiction-award-nominations . live .
  31. Web site: 2001-05-07 . GRANDMA'S RECORDS by Eric Velasquez . 2024-06-08 . . January 29, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230129024235/https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780802787606 . live .
  32. Web site: 2016-02-01 . Looking for Bongo . 2024-06-08 . Booklist.
  33. Web site: 2019-07-11 . Octopus Stew by Eric Velasquez . 2024-06-08 . . June 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240608050038/https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780823437542 . live .
  34. Web site: Pino . Kristina . 2021-01-01 . Pulpo Guisado . 2024-06-08 . Booklist.
  35. Web site: 1992-08-03 . Front Porch Stories at the One-Room Scho by Eleanora E. Tate . 2024-06-08 . . June 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240602205458/https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780553083842 . live .
  36. Web site: 1997-11-03 . Off and Running by Gary Soto . 2024-06-08 . . June 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240602205444/https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780440414322 . live .
  37. Web site: 1998-02-02 . Piano Man by Deborah Newton Chocolate, Debbi Chocolate . 2024-06-08 . . June 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240602205351/https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780802786463 . live .
  38. Web site: 2001-01-01 . The Sound That Jazz Makes by Carole Boston Weatherford . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240602205251/https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780802787200 . June 2, 2024 . 2024-06-02 . Publishers Weekly.
  39. Web site: 2002-08-26 . DAVID GETS HIS DRUM by Panama Francis . 2024-06-08 . . June 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240602205451/https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780761450887 . live .
  40. Web site: 2002-04-15 . CHAMPION: The Story of Muhammad Ali by Jim Haskins, James Haskins . 2024-06-08 . . June 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240602205443/https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780802787842 . live .
  41. Web site: 2003-12-22 . LIBERTY STREET by Candice F. Ransom . 2024-06-08 . . June 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240602205424/https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780802788696 . live .
  42. Web site: 2004-11-15 . Rosetta, Rosetta, Sit by Me! . 2024-06-08 . . June 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240608181338/https://www.booklistonline.com/Rosetta-Rosetta-Sit-by-Me-Linda-Walvoord/pid=1171826 . live .
  43. Web site: 2005-01-03 . A SWEET SMELL OF ROSES by Angela Johnson . 2024-06-08 . . June 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240602205427/https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780689832529 . live .
  44. Web site: 2005-04-04 . HOUDINI: World's Greatest Mystery Man and Escape King by Kathleen Krull . 2024-06-08 . . June 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240602205426/https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780802789532 . live .
  45. Web site: 2007-01-01 . The Other Mozart: The Life of the Famous Chevalier de Saint-George by Hugh Brewster . 2024-06-08 . . June 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240602205450/https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780810957206 . live .
  46. Web site: 2008-01-28 . I, Matthew Henson: Polar Explorer by Carole Boston Weatherford . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240602205300/https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780802796882 . June 2, 2024 . 2024-06-02 . Publishers Weekly.
  47. Web site: 2007-01-01 . Jesse Owens: Fastest Man Alive by Carole Boston Weatherford . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230603172021/https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780802795502 . June 3, 2023 . 2024-06-02 . Publishers Weekly.
  48. Web site: 2008-09-01 . The Rain Stomper . 2024-06-08 . . June 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240608181339/https://www.booklistonline.com/The-Rain-Stomper-Addie-Boswell/pid=2802716 . live .
  49. Web site: 2009-10-26 . Voices of Christmas by Nikki Grimes . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240602205345/https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780310711926 . June 2, 2024 . 2024-06-08 . Publishers Weekly.
  50. Web site: 2009-08-10 . Racing Against the Odds: The Story of Wendell Scott, Stock Car Racing's African-American Champion by Carole Boston Weatherford . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231129212304/https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780761454656 . November 29, 2023 . 2024-06-02 . Publishers Weekly.
  51. Web site: 2010-04-01 . Some Kind of Love: A Family Reunion in Poems . 2024-06-08 . . June 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240608181339/https://www.booklistonline.com/Some-Kind-of-Love-A-Family-Reunion-in-Poems-Traci-Dant/pid=4001370 . live .
  52. Web site: 2010-04-01 . My Friend Maya Loves to Dance . 2024-06-08 . . June 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240608181340/https://www.booklistonline.com/My-Friend-Maya-Loves-to-Dance-Cheryl-Willis-Hudson/pid=4002818 . live .
  53. Web site: 2010-08-30 . My Uncle Martin’s Big Heart by Angela Farris Watkins . 2024-06-08 . . June 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240602022136/https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780810989757 . live .
  54. Web site: 2013 Amelia Bloomer List Social Responsibilities Round Table . 2024-06-08 . . en . June 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240608050041/https://www.ala.org/srrt/2013-amelia-bloomer-list . live .
  55. Web site: 2012-04-16 . Swim! by Marilyn Brigham . 2024-06-08 . . June 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240602205341/https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780761462538 . live .
  56. Web site: 2012-02-01 . Twice as Good: The Story of William Powell and Clearview, the Only Golf Course Designed, Built, and Owned by an African American . 2024-06-08 . . June 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240608181340/https://www.booklistonline.com/Twice-as-Good-The-Story-of-William-Powell-and-Clearview-the-Only-Golf-Course-Designed-Built-and-Owned-by-an-African-American-Richard-Michelson/pid=5221958 . live .
  57. Web site: 2012-11-26 . The Price of Freedom: How One Town Stood Up to Slavery by Judith Bloom Fradin, Dennis B Fradin . 2024-06-08 . . June 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240602205423/https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780802721662 . live .
  58. Web site: Brown . Jennifer M. . 2013-10-18 . Ol' Clip Clop . 2024-06-08 . . June 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240602005807/https://www.shelf-awareness.com/readers-issue.html?issue=241 . live .
  59. Web site: 2013-02-18 . As Fast as Words Could Fly by Pamela M Tuck . 2024-06-08 . . June 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240602205455/https://www.publishersweekly.com/9781600603488 . live .
  60. Web site: 2014-03-17 . A Thirst for Home: A Story of Water Across the World by Christine Ieronimo . 2024-06-08 . . June 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240602205430/https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780802723079 . live .
  61. Web site: 2014-12-08 . New Shoes by Susan Meyer . 2024-06-08 . . June 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240602205355/https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780823425280 . live .
  62. Web site: 2017-12-19 . Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231204161924/https://www.shelf-awareness.com/readers-issue.html?issue=673 . December 4, 2023 . 2024-06-02 . Shelf Awareness.
  63. Web site: 2020-05-13 . Strong Voices: Fifteen American Speeches Worth Knowing by Tonya Bolden, Cokie Roberts . 2024-06-08 . . June 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240602041858/https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780062572042 . live .
  64. Web site: 2022-10-04 . In Conversation: Tonya Bolden and Eric Velasquez . 2024-06-08 . PublishersWeekly.com . en . June 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240602041906/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-authors/article/90504-in-conversation-tonya-bolden-and-eric-velasquez.html . live .
  65. Web site: 2023-12-07 . Outspoken: Paul Robeson, Ahead of His Time: A One-Man Show by Carole Boston Weatherford . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240602041813/https://www.publishersweekly.com/9781536212976 . June 2, 2024 . 2024-06-02 . Publishers Weekly.

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