Award-Winning Illustrator Bryan Collier Visits Eastern Shore

During the week of April 14, we were fortunate enough to host a visit from author and illustrator Bryan Collier.

Collier, a native of Pocomoke City, MD, is a nationally celebrated artist and illustrator. In 2011 Collier's Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave received both the Caldecott Honor (his third) and the Coretta Scott King Award.  Collier's illustrations for Knock, Knock won him his 4th Coretta Scott King Award. In 2014, Bryan Collier was the USA nominee for the Hans Christian Andersen Award for illustration.

Collier kicked off his Eastern Shore visit at the Salisbury University Children's and Young Adult Literature Festival on Saturday, April 11, where his artwork was also on display.  For the rest of the week, Collier spoke to groups of students (over 2000 in total) at schools and libraries throughout the Eastern Shore. His talks focused on the importance of visual literacy and learning to read a visual narrative, as well as the stories behind some of his books. 

"It was an excellent afternoon for the children and the adults," said one librarian. "One parent came here right after the program and checked out all of our Bryan Collier books. She kept telling her friend what a wonderful message he delivered to the children."