Arthur A. Levine has been a children’s book editor for more than thirty years. He is also the author of many acclaimed picture books for children, including What a Beautiful Morning, illustrated by Katie Kath, and The Very Beary Tooth Fairy, illustrated by Sarah S. Brannen. He had his own eponymous imprint at Scholastic Press and has published many of the most exceptional children’s titles of all time, including J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, Philip Pullman’s The Golden Compass, Shaun Tan’s The Arrival, and Peggy Rathmann’s Officer Buckle and Gloria.
Kevin Hawkes is the illustrator of many books for children, including the best-selling Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen and Weslandia by Paul Fleischman. Kevin Hawkes lives with his family in southern Maine.
About Me:
I grew up in a pretty creative family. I have three brothers and one sister. There was a lot of music in our house, as well as books and homemade projects like toothpick sculptures, paper-mâché pinatas, and wooden models. We spent a lot of time outdoors. Wherever we lived, my siblings and I went exploring. We built tree forts and hideouts. I loved watching animals, insects, and turtles.
I moved a lot when I was little and have lived in Europe and many parts of the United States. Europe left a huge impression on me. Climbing winding staircases in castle towers and exploring ancient forests gave me a sense of history and adventure.
In school, I was that quiet kid who liked to read. In the third grade I fell in love with chapter books like Freddy the Detective, The Borrowers, and The Great Brain. My parents loved books, too, and I liked being read to almost more than anything else. I also drew a lot. I liked to draw spaceships, race cars, castles, and monsters. I didn’t like to draw cats or bicycles. A cat riding a bicycle is still a hard thing for me to draw!
Today I live in Southern Maine with my wife and children. Our family loves to make things, and there are lots of projects going on all the time. Wood carving, weaving, sewing, gardening, and blacksmithing are all skills that inspire me.
About My Work:
Becoming an illustrator seemed like the way to combine reading and drawing. Bringing stories to life is so exciting! My illustrations come mostly from my imagination. I love to paint brilliant blue skies and use unusual perspectives.
Using my sense of humor to make kids and adults smile makes me happy. I love the idea of my books being read to children at bedtime. Books are such a peaceful end to sometimes hectic days.
Three Things About Me:
1) I don’t think I have ever fallen asleep during a movie.
2) My bicycle has thick tires and a wire basket on the front big enough to hold a bag of groceries.
3) I have a dog who eats socks.
