Author and Illustrator
Contact Info:
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.mikewohnoutka.com
Book category: Picture Books
Age Group: K-6th Grade
Books:
See the Cat: Three Stories about a Dog written by David LaRochelle, Candlewick, 2020.
So Big! Bloomsbury, 2019.
Croc and Turtle: Snow Fun, Bloomsbury, 2019.
Croc and Turtle: The Bestest Friends Ever, Bloomsbury, 2019.
This is NOT a Cat! written by David LaRochelle, Sterling Books, 2016.
Dad’s First Day Bloomsbury, 2015.
Little Puppy and the Big Green Monster! Holiday House, 2014.
Moo! written by David LaRochelle, Bloomsbury, 2013.
Hanukkah Bear written by Eric Kimmell, Holiday House, 2013.
12 Days of Christmas in Minnesota written by Connie Van Hoven, Sterling Books, 2011.
Can’t Sleep without Sheep written by Susanne Hill, Bloomsbury, 2010.
Jack’s House written by Karen Magnuson Beil, 2008.
Highlights/Bio:
Ever since Mike can remember he knew he wanted to be an artist. His dad, who was an engineer at the Hiway Department, would bring home reams of paper that had hiway plans on one side and were blank on the other. He would be so excited to have all that paper to draw on and would fill each sheet with snowmobiles, baseball players, super heroes – everything he was interested in. In high school his art teacher, Mr. Chase, encouraged Mike to pursue art as a career. This, along with a scholarship, led him to the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Georgia. Since graduating with a B.F.A. in Illustration, Mike has illustrated over 30 books for young readers, including five that he also authored.
Book Awards: (Feel free to include nominations)
See the Cat: Three Stories about a Dog, a Junior Library Guild selection.
So BIg! a Junior Library Guild selection, Kirkus Reviews Best Book, 2020.
Croc and Turtle: The Bestest Friends Ever, a Junior Library Guild selection, Oklahoma Redbud Read-Aloud Finalist, 2020.
This is NOT a Cat. Minnesota Book Award finalist, 2017; Iowa Bridge to Reading Picture Book Award, 2018.
Dad’s First Day. Minnesota Book Award finalist, 2016; Missouri Building Block Nominee
Little Puppy and the Big Green Monster. Minnesota Book Award finalist, 2015.
Moo! Minnesota Book Award, 2014; Star of the North Children’s Choice Award, 2015; Colorado Libraries Bell Award for Early Literacy; ALA Notable Book, a Junior Library Guild selection.
Hanukkah Bear. National Jewish Book Award, 2014.
Jack’s House. Society of Illustrators Original Art Show, 2008.
Presentation Title and Description:
I have to admit I was a troublemaker when I was in grade school (principals still make me nervous). Even so, I still love visiting schools and talking to students about illustrating and writing books! My PowerPoint presentation includes samples of how I create a children’s book from initial concept sketches to the final paintings. I also share personal stories from my earliest inspirations (teachers), to becoming an illustrator and writer, to the joys and challenges of my latest projects. I talk about where my ideas come from and show examples of my creative process when working on a book. After my presentation I will do some drawing demonstrations. This is a fun, interactive session with the students that I really enjoy. I will sign and donate the drawings to the school.
*Available for Skype/Zoom presentations*
Fees:
Information on school visits, including cost, can be found here: https://www.mikewohnoutka.com/pages/visits/visits.html