Hello Sophie: The Picture Book Art of Sophie Blackall

Curated by the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature (NCCIL) in Abilene, Texas, Hello Sophie: The Picture Book Art of Sophie Blackall, showcases the work of award-winning children’s author and illustrator, Sophie Blackall, who was born (1970) and raised in Australia.  Sophie’s artistry originated with drawing in the sand on Australian beaches.  Her skills and passion grew until she earned a Bachelor of Design with honors in Sydney in 1992.  In the following years, she drew robotic figures for amusement parks, lent her hands to a DIY television show, and produced a household hints column.  She has illustrated over 30 children’s books and created one book for adults.

Sophie’s books have accrued much acclaim and numerous awards throughout her career.  “Ruby’s Wish” received an Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Award (2003).  “Meet Wild Boars” won a BCCB Blue Ribbon Picture Book Award (2005) and Founders Award from the Society of Illustrators; “Big Red Lollipop” was named a New York Times Top Ten Picture Book for 2010 and included on the New York Public Library list of best children’s books in the last 100 years.  Sophie illustrates the incredibly popular “Ivy & Bean” series, which has over 1 million copies in print.  “Pecan Pie Baby” received a Horn Book Honor in 2011.  #1 New York Times Bestseller, “Finding Winnie,” was released in 2015 and won a Caldecott medal.  Other titles illustrated by Sophie Blackall include “A Voyage in the Clouds,” “And Two Boys Booed,” “A Fine Dessert,” “The Baby Tree,” “The Mighty LaLouche,” “The 9 Lives of Alexander Baddenfield,” and many more. In addition, Sophie’s editorial artwork has been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Time, Gourmet, Food & Wine, Town & Country, and more.  In 2009, Sophie started the blog Missed Connections, which later evolved into her book for adults, Missed Connections: Love, Lost & Found.   This project brought visual representation to anonymous “almost love” notes posted online.  MTA Arts for Transit program commissioned a poster based on this project that appeared in NYC subways in 2012.

Sophie has lived in Brooklyn, NY since 2000; this atmosphere inspires much of her artwork.

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Irving Arts Center’s galleries are open for viewing free of charge during regular gallery hours Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 5 PM.