Jim Burke Biography:
born: Manchester, New Hampshire

Jim Burke's celebrated artwork brings to life many Americana stories, events and characters. Most recently, Naming Liberty (Philomel Books, 2008) and Johnny Appleseed (Harper Collins, 2008), both written by Jane Yolen, were accepted into "The Original Art Show" in NYC, the premier exhibition for the year's best-illustrated children's books. Jim has also authored Take Me Out to the Ball Game (Little, Brown, 2006) coinciding with Jack Norworth's original lyrics, which received a starred review from Publishers Weekly. My Brothers' Flying Machine (Little, Brown, 2003), also in collaboration with the talented Jane Yolen, won an Oppenheim Children's Portfolio Gold, as well as a Parents' Choice Gold Award. A Christmas Gift for Mama (Scholastic, 2003) written by Lauren Thompson, received an Oppenheim Children’s Portfolio Platinum Award. Burke, a Manchester, NH, native, received his first picture book contract upon graduating from Syracuse University in 1996. Poetry for Young People: Walt Whitman (Sterling Publishing, 1997) received critical praise, and is still in print today.

Jim's artwork was shown in The Royal Academy of Art's Summer Exhibition 2008 in London, and has been included in the Society of Illustrator's forthcoming "Icons & Images: 50 Years of Illustration." He is a Gold Medal recipient from the Society of Illustrators, has had 5 of his books honored at The Original Art Show (NYC) and has also received accolades from Communication Arts, 3x3, Graphis, The New York Art Director’s Club and Print’s Regional Design. Jim has taught at Pratt Institute and Syracuse University, and has lectured at The Norman Rockwell Museum, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, and The National Baseball Hall of Fame, among others. In addition to his publishing work, Jim has created many private and corporate commissions. He lives in Beacon, NY with his wife and young daughter.