Say, Allen (1937-…), is an American author and illustrator of children’s books whose many autobiographical works reflect his Japanese heritage. Say won the 1994 Caldecott Medal for his illustrations for Grandfather’s Journey (1993). He also wrote the story. The Caldecott Medal is awarded annually to the best picture book by an American.
Many of Say’s books explore matters of personal identity, nature and the environment, relationships within a family, and relationships between Asian and Western cultures. He illustrates his books with water colors and pen-and-ink drawings that often reflect the style of traditional Japanese art. Say is an accomplished photographer, which also has influenced his illustrations.
Grandfather’s Journey is based on Say’s grandfather, who left Japan in the early 1900’s and settled in San Francisco, where he raised a family. But he loved his native country so much that he eventually resettled his family in Japan. Say illustrated the book with landscapes and portraits that help describe his family’s experiences in two cultures. Say wrote and illustrated a companion picture book called Tea with Milk (1999) that told how his parents met and learned to live in both the Japanese and American cultures.
Say wrote The Ink-Keeper’s Apprentice (1979) and Drawing from Memory (2011) as autobiographical novels for young adults. The novel traces his early life in Japan as he learns to become an artist. Tree of Cranes (1991) tells about a Japanese boy’s American mother remembering the Christmas celebrations of her childhood. Kamishibai Man (2005) is about an elderly Japanese storyteller. In Erika-San (2009), a young American woman moves to Japan as a teacher. Say’s other notable works as author and illustrator include A River Dream (1988), El Chino (1990), Emma’s Rug (1996), Allison (1997), Home of the Brave (2002), Music for Alice (2004), The Boy in the Garden (2010), and The Favorite Daughter (2013).
Say also illustrated several books by other American authors. They include The Lucky Yak (1980) by Annetta Lawson, How My Parents Learned to Eat (1984) by Ina R. Friedman, and The Boy of the Three-Year Nap (1988) by Dianne Snyder.
Say was born on Aug. 28, 1937, in Yokohama, Japan, to a Japanese American mother and a Korean father. He immigrated to the United States in 1953. Say studied art in Tokyo and in several California schools. He became a commercial photographer and illustrator in 1969. His first book as a children’s illustrator was A Canticle to the Waterbirds (1968) by Brother Antoninus. Say’s first work as author and illustrator was Dr. Smith’s Safari (1972).
