Wendell Minor Papers

Wendell Minor was born 17 March 1944 in Aurora, Illinois, the son of Gordon and Marjorie (Sebby) Minor. He graduated from Ringling School of Art and Design in 1966. An artist and illustrator, Minor has been a member of the faculty of the School of Visual Arts (New York) from 1975 until 1986 and a freelance author/illustrator since 1970. He is also a member of advisory council, Connecticut Center for the Book (Hartford, CT) and a lecturer to college and universities throughout the United States. Minor has exhibited his work at the New York Art Directors Club (New York, 1992), Mystic Maritime Gallery (Mystic, CT, 1992-1995), Lyman Allyn Art Museum (New London, CT), Columbus Museum of Art (Columbus, OH), Art Institute of Chicago, Boston Public Library, The Bruce Museum (Greenwich, CT), Muskegon Museum of Art (Muskegon, MI) and Silo Gallery (New Milford, CT). Minor's work is also included in the permanent collections of Illinois State Museum, Mattatuck Museum, Arizona Historical Society, NASA, Library of Congress, Museum of American Illustration, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, the Norman Rockwell Museum, and the Mazza Collection at Findlay University.

The more notable of the many honors and awards Minor has received for his work include the following :

Abe Lincoln Remembers--Notable Children’s Trade Books in the Field of Social Studies (2001).

Everglades--Notable Book designation, Smithsonian (1995); and Silver Honor award, Parents Choice Foundation, and named Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies (1996).

Fire Storm--Best Book Award-Oppenheim Toy Portfolio (2004).

Grand Canyon--Smithsonian's Notable Books for Children award (1998); Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies; Smithsonian’s Notable Books for Children (1998).

Grassroots--Certificate of Merit, Bookbuilders West Book Show (1998).

Heartland--1989 Notable Children's Trade Books in Social Studies, National Council for the Social Studies/Children's Book Council (1990); Merit award, New York Art Directors Club (1993); National Council of Teachers of English 1990 Notable Trade Books in the Language Arts (1991); International Reading Association/Children’s Book Council Favorite Paperbacks for 1994 (1994); 1989 John Burroughs List of Nature Books For Young Readers (1990); ALA Booklist Children’s Editors’ Choices for 1989 (1989).

Into the Woods: John James Audubon Lives His Dream--NSTA/CBC Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children (1992); Connecticut Center For the Book - Best Illustrated Children’s Picture Book (2004)

A Lucky Thing--A Child Magazine Best Book of the Year.

Mojave--1988 Notable Children's Trade Books in Social Studies, National Council for the Social Studies/Children's Book Council (1989); Book List 1988 Childrens’ Editors Choices (1989); International Reading Association 1989 Teachers’ Choices (1989); International Reading Association/Children’s Book Council Favorite Paperbacks for 1994 (1994); 1988 John Burroughs List of Nature Books For Young Readers (1989); ALA Booklist Children’s Choices for 1988 (1988).

Rachel: The Story of Rachel Carson--Parents’ Choice Award (2003); John Burroughs List of Nature Books For Young Readers (one of six books selected, 2003); NSTA/CBC Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children 1992 (2003).

Red Fox Running--Award of Excellence, Communication Arts (1993).

The Seashore Book--1992 Notable Children's Trade Books in Social Studies, National Council for the Social Studies/Children's Book Council (1993); John and Patricia Beatty Award, California Library Association (1992); and Teachers' Choice designation, International Reading Association (1992); 1992 Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children, National Science Teachers Association/Children's Book Council (1993).

Sierra--1991 Notable Children's Trade Books in Social Studies, National Council for the Social Studies/Children's Book Council (1992); 1991 Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children, National Science Teachers Association/Children's Book Council (1992); IRA Teachers’ Choice (1992); 1991 John Burroughs List of Nature Books For Young Readers (1992).

Snow Bear--NCTE Notable Children’s Books in the English Language Arts (National Council of Teachers of English, 2000).