Jan Brett
Encyclopedia
Jan Brett is a best-selling American author
/illustrator
of childrens' books. Her books are known for colorful, detailed depictions of a wide variety of animals and human cultures ranging from Scandinavia
to Africa
. Her best-known titles include The Hat, The Mitten, The Three Snow Bears and Gingerbread Baby.
's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005. Her books have been chosen as "Best Children's Books of the Year" by Newsweek
, The New Yorker
, Parents magazine
, and Redbook
.
Of Brett's Noah's Ark, PBS Parents said that Parents and their children "will spend many happy hours with this book—identifying the animals and birds on each lavishly illustrated page and rereading the simple, sweet story." In Children's Books in Children's Hands, Temple, Martinez, Yokota, and Naylor include Annie and the Wild Animals and The Mitten in a list of recommended picture books.
2000s
1990s
1980s
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
/illustrator
Illustrator
An Illustrator is a narrative artist who specializes in enhancing writing by providing a visual representation that corresponds to the content of the associated text...
of childrens' books. Her books are known for colorful, detailed depictions of a wide variety of animals and human cultures ranging from Scandinavia
Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
to Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
. Her best-known titles include The Hat, The Mitten, The Three Snow Bears and Gingerbread Baby.
Style
Brett has often used illustrated borders in her artwork that show readers what will happen later on in the story. According to Brett, her editor initially discouraged her from including borders, but had a much different reaction when he saw that they served a purpose beyond the decorative.Reception
She was awarded the Boston Public LibraryBoston Public Library
The Boston Public Library is a municipal public library system in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. It was the first publicly supported municipal library in the United States, the first large library open to the public in the United States, and the first public library to allow people to...
's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005. Her books have been chosen as "Best Children's Books of the Year" by Newsweek
Newsweek
Newsweek is an American weekly news magazine published in New York City. It is distributed throughout the United States and internationally. It is the second-largest news weekly magazine in the U.S., having trailed Time in circulation and advertising revenue for most of its existence...
, The New Yorker
The New Yorker
The New Yorker is an American magazine of reportage, commentary, criticism, essays, fiction, satire, cartoons and poetry published by Condé Nast...
, Parents magazine
Parents (magazine)
Parents, published by Meredith Corporation, is the oldest parenting publication in the U.S. It was first published in October 1926.Its editorial focus is on the daily needs and concerns of mothers with young children. The glossy monthly features information about child health, safety, behavior,...
, and Redbook
Redbook
Redbook is an American women's magazine published by the Hearst Corporation. It is one of the "Seven Sisters", a group of women's service magazines.-History:...
.
Of Brett's Noah's Ark, PBS Parents said that Parents and their children "will spend many happy hours with this book—identifying the animals and birds on each lavishly illustrated page and rereading the simple, sweet story." In Children's Books in Children's Hands, Temple, Martinez, Yokota, and Naylor include Annie and the Wild Animals and The Mitten in a list of recommended picture books.
Personal awards
- 1990: New England Booksellers Association - Artist Award Winner Bookweek New England
- 1993: David McCordDavid McCordDavid Thompson Watson McCord was an American poet, and college fundraiser.-Life:He grew up in Portland, Oregon.He graduated from Harvard University.His work appeared in Harper's,...
Children's Literature Citation - 1996: Fitchburg State CollegeFitchburg State CollegeFitchburg State University, also known as Fitchburg State, is a four-year public institution of higher learning with a compact urban campus, located in the city of Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Fitchburg State University has over 3,500 undergraduate and over 1650 graduate/continuing education...
- Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa - 2005: Boston Public LibraryBoston Public LibraryThe Boston Public Library is a municipal public library system in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. It was the first publicly supported municipal library in the United States, the first large library open to the public in the United States, and the first public library to allow people to...
- Lifetime Achievement Award
Book awards
2010s- 2011: The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
- "Children's Picture Book Bestseller List" (April 3, 10, 17, 24, May 1, May 8 (#1), THE EASTER EGG - 2010: Chicago Public LibraryChicago Public LibraryThe Chicago Public Library is the public library system that serves the City of Chicago in Illinois. It consists of 79 branches, including a central library, two regional libraries, and branches distributed throughout the city....
- "Best of the Best Books of 2010" - The 3 LITTLE DASSIES - 2010: The New York Times - Children's Picture Book Bestseller List (March 14, 21, 28 (#1), April 4, 11) THE EASTER EGG
2000s
- 2007: National Education AssociationNational Education AssociationThe National Education Association is the largest professional organization and largest labor union in the United States, representing public school teachers and other support personnel, faculty and staffers at colleges and universities, retired educators, and college students preparing to become...
- "Educators' Top One Hundred Children's Books of 2007," THE MITTEN - 2006: The New York Times - "Children's Picture Book Bestseller List" (September 22, October 7, 14, 21) HEDGIE BLASTS OFF!
- 2004: The New York Times - #1 "Children's Picture Book Bestseller List" (October 10, 2004) THE UMBRELLA
- 2004: Publishers WeeklyPublishers WeeklyPublishers Weekly, aka PW, is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers and literary agents...
- "Children's Top Ten Bestseller List" October 2004, THE UMBRELLA - 2003-2004: "North Carolina Book Award Nomination" - DAISY COMES HOME
- 2003: The New York Times - Children's Picture Book Bestseller List (October 19, 26, November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, December 7) ON NOAH'S ARK
- Publishers Weekly - Children's Top Ten Bestseller List October 2003, ON NOAH'S ARK
- 2004-2005: California Young Reader Medal Nomination, DAISY COMES HOME
- Colorado Children's Book Award Nomination, 2003 DAISY COMES HOME
- The New York Times #1 Children's Picture Book Bestseller List, WHO'S THAT KNOCKING ON CHRISTMAS EVE? December 8, 2002
- Georgia Children's Book Award Nomination 2002, HEDGIE'S SURPRISE
- The New York Times #1 Children's Picture Book Bestseller List March 10, 17, 2002, DAISY COMES HOME
1990s
- National Teachers AssociationNational Teachers AssociationNational Teachers Association, an organization of teachers in Nepal. NTA is linked to Communist Party of Nepal ....
Top Ten Titles for Elementary Students 1999, THE MITTEN - Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year 1999, GINGERBREAD BABY
- Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year 1998, THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
- American Booksellers AssociationAmerican Booksellers AssociationThe American Booksellers Association is a non-profit industryassociation founded in 1900 that promotes independent bookstores in the United States and Canada. The ABA and its members support freedom of speech, literacy, and programs that encourage reading...
, 1998 Abby Award - THE HAT - Publishers Weekly #1 Children's Top Ten Bestseller List November, December 1997, THE HAT
- Association of Booksellers for Children 1995 Picture Book Award, TOWN MOUSE COUNTRY MOUSE
- Parent Choice Foundation 1994 Illustration Award, TOWN MOUSE COUNTRY MOUSE
- Publishers Weekly Best Children's Books of 1994, TOWN MOUSE COUNTRY MOUSE
- Publishers Weekly, #1 Children's Top Ten Bestseller List October 1994, TOWN MOUSE COUNTRY MOUSE
- American Bookseller Pick of the Lists Fall 1994, TOWN MOUSE COUNTRY MOUSE
- Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Picture Book Award 1994, TROUBLE WITH TROLLS
- Newsweek Magazine Best Children's Books 1991, BERLIOZ THE BEAR
- New Yorker Magazine Best Children's Books 1991, BERLIOZ THE BEAR
- American Bookseller Pick of the Lists Fall 1992, BERLIOZ THE BEAR
- American Library Association Notable Book 1991, THE OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT
- Parents Magazine Best Children's Books 1991 THE OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT
- School Library JournalSchool Library JournalThe School Library Journal is a monthly magazine with articles and reviews for school librarians, media specialists, and public librarians who work with young people. Articles cover a wide variety of topics, with a focus on technology and multimedia. Reviews are included for preschool to 4th grade,...
Best Books of the Year 1991 THE OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT - Publishers Weekly #1 Children's Top Ten Bestseller List December 1990, January 1991, THE WILD CHRISTMAS REINDEER
- New Yorker Magazine Best Children's Books 1990, THE WILD CHRISTMAS REINDEER
- Parent's Choice Award 1990, GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS
1980s
- American Library Association, Booklist Magazine Best Children's Books of the 1980s, THE MITTEN
- New Yorker Magazine Best Children's Books 1989, THE MITTEN
- London Sunday Times Books to Buy for Christmas 1988, GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS
- New Yorker Magazine Best Children's Books 1988, THE FIRST DOG
- American Library Association Booklist Magazine Editor's Choice 1987, GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS
- Newsweek Magazine Best of Year 1987, GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS
- Parent's Magazine Best of Year 1987, GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS
- Redbook Magazine Top Ten Children's Books of the Year 1985, ANNIE AND THE WILD ANIMALS
- University of Nebraska Children's Book Award 1984, FRITZ AND THE BEAUTIFUL HORSES
- Parent's Choice Magazine Best of Year 1981, FRITZ AND THE BEAUTIFUL HORSES
Publishing history
- Fritz and the Beautiful Horses (1981)
- Annie and the Wild Animals (1985)
- Goldilocks and the Three Bears (1987)
- The First Dog (1988)
- The Mitten (1989)
- The Wild Christmas Reindeer (1990)
- The Owl and the Pussycat (1991)
- Berlioz the Bear (1991)
- Trouble with Trolls (1994)
- Town Mouse Country Mouse (1994)
- The Hat (1997)
- The Night Before Christmas (1998)
- The Mitten (1999)
- Daisy Comes Home (2002)
- Hedgie's Surprise (2002)
- Who's That Knocking on Christmas Eve? (2002)
- On Noah's Ark (2003)
- The Umbrella (2002)
- Hedgie Blasts Off! (2006)
- The Easter Egg (2010)
- The 3 Little Dassies (2010)
- Home for Christmas (2011)