Reading lists and articles featuring John Steptoe

John Steptoe biography

John Steptoe was an American author and illustrator renowned for his contributions to children’s literature, particularly in portraying the African-American experience. Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1950, he began drawing at a young age and received formal art training at the High School of Art and Design in Manhattan. He furthered his studies at Vermont Academy, learning under sculptor John Torres and painter William Majors.

At 16, Steptoe started working on his first picture book, Stevie, which was published in 1969 when he was 18. The book garnered national attention after being featured in its entirety in Life magazine, praised as “a new kind of book for black children.” Over his 20-year career, Steptoe illustrated 16 picture books, writing 10 of them himself.

His most acclaimed work, Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale (1987), is based on a folktale from G.M. Theal’s 1895 collection Kaffir Folk-lore. The book earned a Caldecott Honor in 1988 and the Coretta Scott King Award for Illustration. Steptoe also received the Coretta Scott King Award in 1982 for illustrating Mother Crocodile, written by Rosa Guy. Another of his works, The Story of Jumping Mouse (1984), received a Caldecott Honor in 1985.

Steptoe passed away in 1989 at the age of 38. In his memory, the American Library Association established the John Steptoe New Talent Award to recognize emerging authors and illustrators in children’s literature.