In high school, when most of the other guys were trying to perfect their hoop, I was trying to perfect my drawing skills.

Then it was clay, puppets, and finally I found my way to figure drawing. Macramé was big in the 70s, and I spent day and night making just about anything you could make with a knots and a beads. I have been drawing, painting, building, and making things as long as I can remember. Interview: Children’s Illustrator Don TateĬould you describe your journey to becoming an artist? What were your original inspirations? It’s one of the earliest Cynsations posts. In a starred review, Booklist described it as, “Propulsive action, engaging illustrations, and a great message about the value of determination and teamwork make this a must.” See the storytime kit here.Īustin author-illustrator Don Tate has created the art for dozens of picture books, take a look back at his artistic journey and his very first trade picture book illustration title, Say Hey! A Song of Willie Mays, written by Peter Mandel (Hyperion, 2000) in his interview with Cynthia Leitich Smith from 2000.

Congratulations to illustrator Don Tate and author Sherri Duskey Rinker on the publication of Roto and Roy: To the Rescue! (Little Brown, March 21, 2023).įrom the promotional copy: When a flash flood threatens a nearby town, helicopter Roto and pilot Roy soar to the rescue! Quick-a truck needs to be hoisted to safety! Hurry-that family’s car is being swept away! Now grab as many sandbags and supplies as you can carry! This mission’s going to be rough, but Roy and Roto are tougher than tough.

PAR-TAY! by Eloise Greenfield