Drawing, painting and making things, reading and writing have always been the stepping stones in Suzanne Bloom’s life.

Illustration claimed her at an early age. She began collecting picture books and studied at The Cooper Union.

She made a living doing architectural rendering and making wooden toys.

After her first two books were published, she declared herself an artist; claiming the messiness, devotion and the magpie eye, all in service to the creation of beautiful art that will end up in the hands of children.

After 17 books it still feels like the beginning of the expedition, with many more ideas and characters to explore. School visits and writing workshops complement the solitude of the studio.

So in addition to the 2014 ALA poster, the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award, the PA One Book (twice), the Texas 2X2 (twice), one of her favorite tributes comes from a 3rd grader in Texas who said, “M’am, you were born to draw.”