John Steptoe
Encyclopedia
John Steptoe is an award winning author and illustrator for children’s books dealing with aspects of the African American
experience.
He is best known for Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters, which was acknowledged by literary critics as a breakthrough in African history
and culture.
John Steptoe was born in Brooklyn, New York. He began drawing as a young child and received formal art training at the High School of Art and Design
in Manhattan. He also attended the Vermont Academy
, where he studied under the sculptor John Torres, and William Mayors, a widely acclaimed painter. He began his first picture book, Stevie, when he was only 16 years old. Stevie was published three years later to outstanding critical praise. It received national attention when it appeared in its entirety in Life magazine, which commended it for being “a new kind of book for black children.”
for illustration for both Mother Crocodile in 1982 and Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters. While all of Steptoe’s works deals with the African American experience, Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters was widely praised by reviewers and critics as a breakthrough of African history and culture. Based on an African tale from the 19th century, it required Steptoe to research his heritage giving him the chance to awaken his pride in his African ancestry. John Steptoe hoped that his books would lead African American children to feel pride in their origins as well.
Caldecott Honors for Illustration
Coretta Scott King Award
for Illustration
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
experience.
He is best known for Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters, which was acknowledged by literary critics as a breakthrough in African history
History of Africa
The history of Africa begins with the prehistory of Africa and the emergence of Homo sapiens in East Africa, continuing into the present as a patchwork of diverse and politically developing nation states. Agriculture began about 10,000 BCE and metallurgy in about 4000 BCE. The history of early...
and culture.
John Steptoe was born in Brooklyn, New York. He began drawing as a young child and received formal art training at the High School of Art and Design
High School of Art and Design
The High School of Art and Design is a Career and Technical Education high school located at 1075 Second Avenue, between 56th and 57th Streets in Manhattan, New York City, New York.It is operated by the New York City Department of Education...
in Manhattan. He also attended the Vermont Academy
Vermont Academy
Vermont Academy is an American coeducational boarding/day school and college preparatory school for grades nine through twelve and also offers acceptance for students seeking a post-graduate year. Founded in 1876, it is located in Saxtons River, Vermont. The school is coeducational, and...
, where he studied under the sculptor John Torres, and William Mayors, a widely acclaimed painter. He began his first picture book, Stevie, when he was only 16 years old. Stevie was published three years later to outstanding critical praise. It received national attention when it appeared in its entirety in Life magazine, which commended it for being “a new kind of book for black children.”
Literature
Since his publication of Stevie, John Steptoe illustrated 15 more picture books, 10 of which he also wrote. The American Library Association named The Jumping Mouse in 1985 and Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters in 1988 Caldecott Honor Books, a prestigious award for children’s book illustrations. Steptoe also received the Coretta Scott King AwardCoretta Scott King Award
The Coretta Scott King Award is an annual award presented by the Ethnic & Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table, part of the American Library Association...
for illustration for both Mother Crocodile in 1982 and Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters. While all of Steptoe’s works deals with the African American experience, Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters was widely praised by reviewers and critics as a breakthrough of African history and culture. Based on an African tale from the 19th century, it required Steptoe to research his heritage giving him the chance to awaken his pride in his African ancestry. John Steptoe hoped that his books would lead African American children to feel pride in their origins as well.
Caldecott Honors for Illustration
- 1985 Story of Jumping Mouse-A Native American Legend
- 1988 Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters
Coretta Scott King Award
Coretta Scott King Award
The Coretta Scott King Award is an annual award presented by the Ethnic & Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table, part of the American Library Association...
for Illustration
- 1982 Mother Crocodile
- 1988 Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters