John Steptoe

Infobox Person
name = John Steptoe


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birth_date = birth date|1950|09|14
birth_place = Brooklyn, New York
death_date = death date and age|1989|08|28|1950|09|14
death_place = Saint Lukes Hospital in Manhattan, New York
death_cause = AIDS
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nationality = American
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known_for = "Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters"
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occupation = Author
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John Steptoe (September 14, 1950 - August 28, 1989) is an award winning author and illustrator for children’s books dealing with aspects of the African American experience.He is best known for "Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters", which was acknowledged by literary critics as a breakthrough in African history and culture.

John Steptoe was born in Brooklyn, New York. He began drawing as a young child and received formal art training at the High School of Art and Design in Manhattan. He also attended the Vermont Academy, where he studied under the sculptor John Torres, and William Mayors, a widely acclaimed painter. He began his first picture book, "Stevie", when he was only 16 years old. "Stevie" was published three years later to outstanding critical praise. It received national attention when it appeared in its entirety in "Life" magazine, which commended it for being “a new kind of book for black children.” [Harper Collins Publishers]

Literature

Since his publication of "Stevie", John Steptoe illustrated 15 more picture books, 10 of which he also wrote. The American Library Association named "The Jumping Mouse" in 1985 and "Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters" in 1988 Caldecott Honor Books, a prestigious award for children’s book illustrations. Steptoe also received the Coretta Scott King Award for illustration for both "Mother Crocodile" in 1982 and "Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters." While all of Steptoe’s works deals with the African American experience, "Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters" was widely praised by reviewers and critics as a breakthrough of African history and cultureFact|date=June 2008. Based on an African tale from the 19th century, it required Steptoe to research his heritage giving him the chance to awaken his pride in his African ancestry. John Steptoe hoped that his books would lead African American children to feel pride in their origins as well. [John Steptoe Papers]

Caldecott Honors for Illustration
* 1985 "Story of Jumping Mouse-A Native American Legend"
* 1988 "Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters"

Coretta Scott King Award for Illustration
* 1982 "Mother Crocodile"
* 1988 "Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters"

Death and Legacy

John Steptoe died on August 28, 1989 at Saint Lukes Hospital in Manhattan, following a long battle with aids. He was only 38 years old. At the time of his death, Steptoe was among the few African American artists who made a career in children’s literature. Following his death, the American Library Association established the John Steptoe Award for New Talent, which is given to affirm new talent and excellence in writing and/or illustration. [John Steptoe Award for New Talent]

References

Citation
last = Harper Collins Publishers
title = John Steptoe
url=http://www.harpercollins.com/authors/12770/John_Steptoe/index.aspx
accessdate = 2008-04-18 .

Citation
last = Grummond Children's Literature Collection
title = John Steptoe Papers
url=http://avatar.lib.usm.edu/~degrum/html/research/findaids/DG1168f.html?DG1168b/html~mainFrame
accessdate = 2008-04-18 .

Citation
last = American Library Association
title =John Steptoe Award for New Talent
url=http://www.ala.org/ala/emiert/corettascottkingbookawards/winnersa/newtalentawarda/newtalentaward.cfm
accessdate = 2008-04-21 .

Persondata
NAME= Steptoe, John
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION=Contemporary African American writer
DATE OF BIRTH=September 14, 1950
PLACE OF BIRTH=
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=August 28, 1989