Jan Spivey Gilchrist, a local author and illustrator of International fame, visited the Park Forest Public Library on Wednesday, February 12, to celebrate Black History Month. She autographed her books for her old and new fans. Jan Spivey Gilchrist’s career as a fine artist and illustrator has spanned over a quarter of a century. She has exhibited extensively throughout North America. Books illustrated by Ms. Gilchrist have received ALA “notables” and numerous prestigious awards. She won the Coretta Scott King Award for illustration in 1990 and 1992. Ms. Gilchrist is also the author of two picture books. Jan Spivey Gilchrist was inducted in the International Hall of Fame for Writers of African Descent in October of 2000. She was also inducted in the prestigious Society of  Illustrators in 2001. Below is a list of books by Jan Spivey Gilchrist that are available in the Youth Services Department.          – Golam Kibreah, Youth Services Director

Jan Spivey Gilchrist has illustrated over 50 books. She portrays children and adults with great sensitivity, making them the kind of people you want to know and hug to your heart. We claim her as our very own because she lives in Olympia Fields with her family. Do check  some of them out and rejoice in her beautiful books illustrated in a rainbow of colors. The reproduction on the left is from her book, Madelia, the story of a young artist which she dedicated to her father.

Books illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist:

I Can Draw a Weeposaur and other Dinosaurs  J 811 Gre

Nathaniel Talking  J 811 Gre

Everett Anderson’s Christmas Coming  Jp+ Cli

Singing Down the Rain  Jp+ Cow

Aaron and Gayla’s Alphabet Book  Jp+ Gre

Aaron and Gayla’s Counting Book  Jp+ Gre

The Baby  Jp+ Gre

Big Friend, Little Friend  Jp+ Gre

My Daddy and I  Jp+ Gre

First Pink Light  Jp+ Gre

Honey, I love  Jp+ Gre

I Make Music  Jp+ Gre

Kia Tanisha  Jp+ Gre

Kia Tanisha Drives Her Car  Jp+ Gre

My Doll, Keshia  Jp+ Gre

Night on Neighborhood Street  Jp+ Gre

On My Horse  Jp+ Gre

Sweet Baby Coming  Jp+ Gre

Waiting for Christmas  Jp+ Gre

William and the Good Old Days  Jp+ Gre

For the Love of the Game: Michael Jordan and Me  J 811 Gre

Red Dog, Blue Fly: Football Poems  J 811 Mat

Mimi’s Tutu  Jp+ Tho

Sharing Danny’s Dad  J+ Med

Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing  J 782.42 Joh

Angels  J 811 Gre

Easter Parade  J Gre

Water, Water  Jp+ Gre

Jump Back, Honey  J 811 Dun

Children of Long Ago  J 811 Lit

Books written and illustrated by Ms. Gilchrist:

Indigo and Moonlight Gold  Jp+ Gil

Madelia  Jp+ Gil

In the game of life
I choose to choose
the path that I will take
I listen to my heart
beating my rhythm
I take my stance
I make my move.
For the love of the game
of my life
I live.

from For the Love of the Game: Michael Jordan and Me,
by Eloise Greenfield, illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist.

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