David Small was born and raised in Detroit. In school he became known as “the kid who could draw good.” But he never considered a career in art because it was so easy for him.
At 21, after he had spent many years writing plays, a friend informed David that the doodles he made on the telephone pad were better than anything he had ever written. David switched his major to Art and never looked back. After getting his MFA at the Yale Graduate School of Art, David taught art for many years at the college level.
His first picture book, “Eulalie and the Hopping Head”, was published in 1981. To date he has illustrated more than 50 picture books. His books have been translated into seven languages, made into DVDs, animated films and musicals, and have won many of the top awards accorded to illustration, including the 2001 Caldecott Medal, two Caldecott Honor Books, two Christopher Medals, and a Gold Medal from the Society of Illustrators.
His graphic memoir, “Stitches”, about his problematic youth, published in September 2009, was a National Book Award Finalist, and named a Michigan Notable Book of the Year 2010. It also received the American Library Association’s 2009 Alex Award, which is given to the best adult books published each year that are suitable for young readers.
In 2015 David received Michigan Author Award. The award, which recognizes an outstanding published body of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or play script, has been given annually since 1992. A panel of judges representing Michigan librarians and the Michigan Center for the Book determines the recipient based on overall literary merit.
“Home After Dark”, David’s first graphic novel was published in September 2018. It was named a Best Graphic Novel of 2018 by The Guardian (London), The Washington Post, The Boston Globe and Amazon. It received starred reviews in Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, the Library Journal and Kirkus Reviews. In January 2019, “Home After Dark” was given an Alex Award.
David Small and his wife, author Sarah Stewart, make their home in an 1833 manor house on a bend of the St. Joseph River in southwest Michigan. David’s studio, an 1890 farmhouse overlooking the river, is just a short walk from home.
