Profile

Robert Byrd received his BFA in Graphic Arts for the Philadelphia Museum College of Art. He has illustrated twenty-one children's books and written five. He has taught for thirty years at the Philadelphia College of Art (now the Univesity of the Arts) and Moore College of Art and Design.

Artist Statement
In my book illustration, my goal is to interpret the story in a manner that presents a particular world accurately, and informatively, and visually stimulating to the young reader, concentrating on a meaningful integration of both text and imagery. These words and pictures have the power to remain vividly in the child's consciousness.

Awards. Publication, Exhibitions
Robert Byrd's work has been honored by the School Library Journal, Publisher's Weekly, Kirkus Reviews and Neumann College. He is the recipient of the Golden Kite Award for "Leonardo, Beautiful Dreamer," and is the 2008 Newberry Award lllustrator for "Good Master! Sweet Ladies!"

His children's book art has been exhibited at the Philadelphia Art Alliance, the World Children's Book Fair in Bologna, The Society of lllustrators, New York, The Philadelphia Art Institute, the Philadelphia Sketch Club, The Chicago Art Institute and Graphis Zurich.