Zelinsky, Paul O. (1953-…), is an American illustrator of children’s books known for the variety and experimental nature of his pictures. Zelinsky does not have a single personal style. Instead, he selects a style he feels best suits the character of a given book. For example, he illustrated the folk tale Swamp Angel (1994) by the children’s author Anne Isaacs in the style of American folk art. His pictures for his adaptation of the fairy tale Rapunzel (1997) reflect the style of Old Master painters, such as Rembrandt of the Netherlands and Masaccio and Raphael of Italy. Zelinsky received the 1998 Caldecott Medal for Rapunzel. The medal is awarded annually for the best picture book by an American.
In addition to Rapunzel, Zelinsky won praise for his imaginative illustrations for the fairy tales Hansel and Gretel (1984) and Rumpelstiltskin (1986). He illustrated Dear Mr. Henshaw (1983) by Beverly Cleary. The book won the 1984 Newbery Medal, awarded annually to the best children’s book by an American.
Zelinsky’s other notable illustrated books by children’s authors include The Story of Mrs. Lovewright and Purrless Her Cat (1985) by Lore Segal, Awful Ogre’s Awful Day (2001) by Jack Prelutsky, Doodler Doodling (2004) by Rita Golden Gelman, Toys Go Out (2006) and Toys Meet Snow (2015) by Emily Jenkins, and The Shivers in the Fridge (2006) by Fran Manushkin. In addition, Zelinsky wrote and illustrated The Maid and the Mouse and the Odd-Shaped House (1981), The Lion and the Stoat (1984), The Wheels on the Bus (1990), and Knick-Knack Paddywhack! (2002).
Paul Oser Zelinsky was born on Feb. 14, 1953, in Evanston, Illinois. He received a B.A. degree from Yale University in 1974 and an M.F.A. degree from the Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia in 1976. He became a full-time illustrator in 1977.
