Henry Cole

            Henry Cole has illustrated over 50 picture books and written – and illustrated – four of his own.  His newest work is Spot, the Cat, a black and white, wordless picture book about a cat's journey through a city.  Cole has most often collaborated with author Pamela Edwards Duncan.  He has also illustrated books for Julie Andrews (the Little Bo books) and Harvey Fierstein (The Sissy Duckling). Among his other well-known titles are Moosetache and Moostletoe and And Tango Makes Three, as well as the award-winning Unspoken: A Story From the Underground Railroad, which Cole wrote and illustrated. 

            Mr. Cole grew up on a dairy farm in Virginia and enjoyed creating birthday cards for friends.  He worked for over 17 years as a math and science teacher at an elementary school before he became an illustrator. Artists Norman Rockwell, Paul Klee, John Singer Sargent, and N.C. Wyeth have inspired him.  His favorite children's books are Charlotte's Web by E. B. White and Who Really Killed Cock Robin? by Jean Craighead George.  He lives in Old Town Alexandria.

            Mr. Cole believes that the Noyes Library for Children is so important because "kids who enjoy reading and understand the importance of the written word are at an advantage both professionally and personally, all through their lives.”

            Read more about  Mr. Cole at http://www.henrycole.net/.  Check out his books at the Noyes Library for Young Children and other Montgomery County Public Libraries.
 
By Beth Meyer for the January / February 2017 issue of the Make.MORE.Noyes Community Update