Small, David (1945-…), is an American illustrator of children’s books known for his detailed and often humorous pictures in ink, pastels, and water colors. Small won the 2001 Caldecott Medal for his illustrations for So You Want to Be President? (2000), written by the American author Judith St. George. The Caldecott Medal is awarded annually to the outstanding picture book by an American. In So You Want To be President?, Small portrayed the characteristics of the United States presidents from George Washington to Bill Clinton.
Small has illustrated books by a number of noted American children’s authors, such as Beverly Cleary and Russell Hoban. He has also illustrated several books by his wife, the American author Sarah Stewart. They include The Money Tree (1991), The Library (1995), The Gardener (1997), and The Journey (2001). He also illustrated two books by the American poet Eve Merriam, The Christmas Box (1985) and Fighting Words (1992).
Small’s other notable books by American authors include Mean Chickens and Wild Cucumbers (1983) by Nathan Zimelman, Anna and the Seven Swans (1984) by Maida Silverman, Company’s Coming (1988) by Arthur Yorinks, Box and Cox (1990) by Grace Chetwin, Once upon a Banana (2006) by Jennifer Armstrong, When Dinosaurs Came with Everything (2007) by Elise Broach, That Book Woman (2008) by Heather Henson, and Elsie’s Bird (2010), by Jane Yolen. In addition, he illustrated As: A Surfeit of Similes (1989) by Norton Juster. It was published in a revised edition as As Silly as Knees, as Busy as Bees: An Astounding Assortment of Similes (1998).
Small has written several children’s books that he also illustrated, beginning with Eulalie and the Hopping Head (1982), his first book. He also wrote and illustrated Imogene’s Antlers (1985), George Washington’s Cows (1994), and Hoover’s Bride (1995). Stitches (2009) is a memoir in the form of a graphic novel about Small’s childhood struggle with cancer.
Small was born on Feb. 12, 1945, in Detroit. He received a B.F.A. degree from Wayne State University in 1968 and an M.F.A. degree from Yale University in 1972. He taught art at the State University of New York Fredonia from 1972 to 1978 and at Kalamazoo College from 1978 to 1983. He was artist in residence at Kalamazoo from 1983 to 1986. Small married Sarah Stewart in 1980.
