Leo Dillon

You cannot say Leo without including his wife. During more than four decades of illustrating children's books, two-time Caldecott Medalists Leo and his wife Diane Dillon have received nearly every award and honor in this genre. They have illustrated scores of books written by others, and they have written two titles, Rap a Tap Tap: Here's Bojangles, Think of That! and the Coretta Scott King honor book Jazz on a Saturday Night. Leo enlisted in the Navy for three years' service so that he could attend art school. He attended Parsons School of Design in New York City in 1954, meeting Diana, and each already aspired to a life of art. Meeting first through each other's artwork, each immediately recognized the talent and mastery of the other. Over the years, their competitive friendship evolved into a lasting marriage and artistic partnership.

In 1997 we celebrated our 40th anniversary and in 1997 we completed our 40th book which is "To Everything There is a Season. "The Dillons have produced an incredible variety of drawings and illustrations for prints, book jackets, textbooks, album covers, and of course children's books. Among their many honors, they have received two Caldecott Medals for Ashanti to Zulu and Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears - four New York Times Best Illustrated Awards, four Boston Globe/Horn Book Awards, two Coretta Scott King Awards, three Coretta Scott King Honors, and the Society of Illustrators Gold Medal.

In 2002, they published the first picture book they wrote themselves, Rap a Tap Tap: Here's Bojangles-Think of That!, followed by Jazz on a Saturday Night (2007). As well, they collaborated with their son, sculptor Lee Dillon, on their award-winning title Pish, Posh, Said Hieronymus Bosch, by Newbery Medalist Nancy Willard, an ALA Notable Book and a Parents' Choice Honor Book. At the time of his death, the Dillons were finishing up art for a fanciful book entitled If Kids Ran the World, about children happily helping other children to feed those in need, get medical aid to all who need it, and to provide shelter for the homeless.