From Tara’s website:
Tara Calahan King, an award-winning children’s book illustrator, muralist and designer was born in Cincinnati, Ohio where she received her BFA from the Art Academy of Cincinnati in 1995. Recognized by the New York Times, Publisher’s Weekly, and the School Library Journal, she is noted for her quirky, yet endearing characters and odd perspectives. She is also a member of the Society of Children’s Writers and Illustrators.
Her books include Odd Velvet and Enemy Pie (Chronicle Books), Superhero Max (Random House), and Four Boys Named Jordan (G.P. Putnam’s Sons). In 2002, Enemy Pie was featured on the PBS program, Reading Rainbow, and was narrated by Oscar-nominated actor, Ed Harris. King has also appeared on the TODAY show with Katie Couric.
For the past six years, illustrations from Enemy Pie have been included in a traveling exhibit that also features the work of E.B. White, Dr. Seuss, David Shannon, artwork from a children’s book by Michael Jordan and artwork from the book, Just the Two of Us, by actor Will Smith. The exhibit includes an interactive, real life tree house (just like the one in Enemy Pie) that children are able to play in; there’s even a checkerboard inside.
In addition to illustrating children’s books, King also works with greeting card companies, magazines, product design, murals and illustrates pharmaceutical brochures for pediatrics (a set of which will be permanent props on the Emmy winning TV medical drama, HOUSE). She visits libraries and schools in a effort to promote literacy, art, creativity, and activities that inspire and spark the imagination.
She lives in Indiana with her husband, Rick, their two kids and a rat terrier named Lucy Lou.
For more information, visit http://www.taracalahanking.com/
