Peter Hamilton Reynolds is a Canadian author and illustrator of children's books[1] and is the founder of the educational media company FableVision.[2]

Peter Hamilton Reynolds

Life

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Reynolds was born in 1961 in Canada with his identical twin brother, Paul, who collaborates as author on several children's books (Going Places, Full STEAM Ahead), and also serves as CEO of the Reynolds educational media firm FableVision.[1] He attended the Massachusetts College of Art and Fitchburg State College[2] where he received the Communications Student of The Year Award in 1983,[3] Alumni Recognition Award in 1999[4] and was awarded the title Litterarum Humanarum Doctor (L.H.D)[5] in 2007 for his "substantial contributions to education and the arts".[6]

Reynolds is best known for his children's books about "authentic learning, creativity and self-expression", including The North Star, Ish, The Dot, and So Few of Me.[1] The Dot, published by Candlewick Press, has been published in over twenty languages, as well as in Braille,[2] and has won a number of awards, including the Oppenheim Platinum Toy Award, Borders Books' Original Voices 2003 Award,[7][8] and the Christopher Medal,[9] as well as the American Library Association's 2005 Carnegie Medal of Excellence[10] for the book's animated adaptation. Reynolds has also published a book series for young children, based on the character "SugarLoaf". Published by Simon & Schuster, the first two books in this series are titled My Very Big Little World[11] and The Best Kid in the World.[12] Reynolds' award-winning publishing work also includes the best-selling Judy Moody series written by Megan McDonald, Eleanor Estes' The Alley and The Tunnel of Hugsy Goode, Judy Blume's Fudge series, and Ellen Potter's Olivia Kidney books.[13] His collaboration with Alison McGhee called Someday spent two months on the New York Times Best Seller list for Children's Books.[14][15]

In addition to his children's books, Reynolds also created the award-winning animated short films, The Blue Shoe[16] and Living Forever,[17] as well as the film adaptations of his books The Dot[10] and Ish.[18]

Together with the Burkinabe model and activist, Georgie Badiel, he has co-created "Water Princess" which tells the story of Badiel's homeland of Burkina Faso's need for aquifers. The book was released in the Spring of 2016.[19]

Reynolds lives in Dedham, Massachusetts and is the co-owner of his family's book store, The Blue Bunny Bookstore, and is the founder of the civic-powered revitalization group Dedham Square Circle.[2] He is a Distinguished Eagle Scout.

References

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  1. ^ a b c Brody, Samantha (December 2007). "Inspire the Artist Within: Author, illustrator, and educator Peter H. Reynolds talks about motivating kids to do great things". Parent & Child/Scholastic. Archived from the original on 2013-02-16. Retrieved 2008-01-08.
  2. ^ a b c d English, Bella (November 12, 2007). "Make way for Rose". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2008-01-08.
  3. ^ Peter H. Reynolds
  4. ^ "Alumni Association: Awards". Fitchburg State College. Archived from the original on 2005-03-12. Retrieved 2008-01-10.
  5. ^ Graham, Jonathan. Hard Work Rewarded at FSC. Sentinel and Enterprise; Fitchburg, MA. May 20, 2007.
  6. ^ News About Peter H. Reynolds
  7. ^ Bookreporter.com - 2003 Borders Original Voices Award Finalists Archived 2008-01-05 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ Pub & Artists - Borders - Books, Music and Movies Archived 2007-12-21 at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ "The 2004 Christopher Award Winners". The Christophers, Inc. Retrieved 2008-01-10.
  10. ^ a b "Past Recipients of the Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Children's Video". American Library Association. Retrieved 2008-01-10.
  11. ^ Simon & Schuster: My Very Big Little World: A SugarLoaf Book (Hardcover)
  12. ^ Simon & Schuster: The Best Kid in the World: A SugarLoaf Book (Hardcover)
  13. ^ Peter H. Reynolds
  14. ^ "Best Sellers: Children's Books". New York Times. April 15, 2007. Retrieved 2008-01-10.
  15. ^ "Best Sellers: Children's Books". New York Times. May 13, 2007. Retrieved 2008-01-10.
  16. ^ "Once Upon a Napkin...The Blue Shoe". Animation World Magazine. April 1, 1998. Archived from the original on October 24, 2007. Retrieved 2008-01-10.
  17. ^ "Animation World News: Awards". Animation World Magazine. May 1999. Retrieved 2008-01-10.
  18. ^ "2006 Notable Children's Videos". American Library Association. Archived from the original on 2007-12-09. Retrieved 2008-01-10.
  19. ^ "'The Water Princess' Relates Childhood of Burkina Faso-Born Model Georgie Badiel".
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