Ed Young (3)

Chinese-born American illustrator and writer of children's picture books. Born 28 November 1931 in Tianjin, China. Died 29 September 2023 in Hastings-on-Hudson, NY, USA. The renowned illustrator and writer of children's books, Ed Young, moved to Shanghai with his family at the age of 3. The Japanese occupation of the city during World War II was a significant part of his life, which he later recounted in his memoir "The House That Baba Built" (2011). In 1948, a journey to the United States began for him as a student. Architecture, art and graphic design were his areas of study in California, Illinois and New York. A stint as a graphic designer for an advertising studio in Manhattan was his first job. However, it was illustrating children's books that truly ignited his passion. His first book was "The Mean Mouse and Other Stories" (1962), written by Janice May Udry. This work won him an award from the American Institute of Graphic Arts. Over 100 books were illustrated and written by him, many based on Chinese folk tales, poetry and history. Various media and techniques such as collage, pencil and charcoal were used in his work. He also experimented with different book formats like accordion. Three Caldecott Medals, the highest honor for illustrated children's books, were awarded to him for "The Emperor and His Kite" (1968), written by Jane Yolen, "Lon Po Po" (1991), his own version of "Little Red Riding Hood", and "Seven Blind Mice" (1993), his adaptation of an Indian fable. Tai chi, a form of Chinese martial art, was practiced and taught by him for over 50 years. Cheng Man-ch'ing, a master of tai chi who lived in New York, was his teacher. According to him, tai chi and art were both ways of discovering oneself and expressing one's essence. Three marriages were part of his personal life and he had two daughters.