About the Author

Bryan Collier loves to paint. He has successfully channeled his creative energy and love of art into an illustrious career as a children's book illustrator and writer. He began painting at the age of 15 and eventually landed a scholarship to attend Pratt Institute in New York. He has won four Caldecott Honors, five Coretta Scott King Awards, and three Coretta Scott King Honors. His books include Uptown, which won the Coretta Scott King Award and the Ezra Jack Keats Award, and We Shall Overcome. He is also the illustrator of the New York Times bestseller All Because You Matter and We Are Here by Tami Charles.

Reviews

Praise for We Shall Overcome: A Kirkus Reviews' Best Picture Book of 2021* "This thoughtful work of art comes together with beauty and meaning." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review* "Uplifting and inspiring, with plenty of history for those who are ready, this makes a welcome addition to civil rights picture books." -- Booklist, starred review* "Illustrating lyrics of the civil rights protest anthem "We Shall Overcome," Collier (All Because You Matter) demonstrates the song's continuing significance, layering dynamic, vibrantly hued images of a contemporary Black girl's day-to-day with grayscale drawings of meaningful events in Black history--and drawing a direct link between them." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review"In this electrifying picture book, a famous gospel anthem connects the past and the present as it is reimagined with beautiful contemporary artwork." -- Shelf AwarenessPraise for All Because You Matter, illustrated by Bryan Collier: * "Two accomplished creators invite Black children to take up their spaces in the world... the journey from beginning to end of the book sends a message that is nurturing, nourishing, loving, and reassuring, expanding and deepening the words of the movement it echoes. Collier's trademark paint-and-collage illustrations use petal shapes with patterns and faces, blue and brown hues, and family scenes and close-ups to embody the child's growth within affectionate circles of family, community, and universe. A gem for every household." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review* "Caldecott Honoree Collier's (Trombone Shorty) tender, close-up watercolor portraits of a growing Black boy give visual power to this celebration of young Black lives. In an author's note, Charles (Freedom Soup) writes about 'The Big Talk- -- words that every Black parent must speak to their child about discrimination and violence. Lyrical verse that aims to offer 'a starting point for conversations about the racial climate in our country' underlines an important message: 'you, dear child, matter'... As a schoolchild in a green T-shirt, he faces hurdles: academic efforts go unrewarded, classmates jeer, another name is called: / Trayvon, / Tamir, / Philando." Alongside these realities, Charles delivers a ringing affirmation of his life's meaning -- 'Did you know that... strength, power, and/ beauty lie within you?' -- as Collier shows the boy straight on, surrounded by collaged images of his ancestry. Universal declarations are often illustrated with images of many children; this book's focus on a single child brings his experience and life-and the ways they matter-right up close." -- Publishers Weekly, starred reviewPraise for Trombone Shorty, illustrated by Bryan Collier: 2016 Caldecott Honor BookCoretta Scott King (Illustrator) Award Winner* ""This well-told and exquisitely illustrated story of a musician with a steep career trajectory will inspire young readers to pursue their passions, despite the challenges."" -- Kirkus Reviews starred reviewPraise for Knock Knock, illustrated by Bryan Collier: Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award WinnerHuffington Post Best Picture Book of the YearALSC Notable Children's BookBoston Globe-Horn Book Awards Picture Book HonorChildren's Book Committee at Bank Street College Best Books of the Year"Bryan Collier's richly textured illustrations and the lyricism of Beaty's text -- with its echoes of spoken-word poetry -- make this story of bereavement also a story of possibility and beauty." -- The New York Times Sunday Book ReviewPraise for Martin's Big Words, illustrated by Bryan Collier: Caldecott Honor BookCoretta Scott King Honor BookALA Notable Children's BookNew York Times Notable Book of the Year"A stunning, reverent tribute." -- School Library Journal