Though born in the Netherlands, where he grew to adulthood (and experienced some exciting times during World War II), he made the United States his home in 1950. Once I discovered him, while searching for picture books that I wouldn’t mind reading over and over (and over) to my little ones, I went back for more. This month saw the return of Noah’s Ark (Caldecott Medal winner in 1977) and The Book of Jonah. The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night, Spier’s visualizing of an American folk song and winner of a Caldecott Honor Award in 1963, appeared in September. McHenry, the War of 1812, and full lyrics) and We the People (the story of our Constitution) went on sale in July. He himself is enduring: at 87, he was able to help restore the coloring to some of the picture books that Doubleday, his original publisher, has seen fit to brush up and re-publish. That is, when the kids were little (one was born in 1975, the other in 1978), Peter Spier was publishing his most popular and enduring picture books. and be sure to see our review of Noah’s Ark, winner of the 1977 Caldecott medal. The following is a re-post of a tribute from two years ago. Given his age (89) and output, we can safely say he lived a long and fulfilling life and his work should be enjoyed for years to come.

Yesterday we received the sad news that Peter Spier, illustrator of classic children’s books, had passed away on April 27.

Bored nothing to do peter spier