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Eugene Yelchin

ユージン・イェルチン

Yevgeny Arkadievich Yelchin

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1956-10-18 （Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), Soviet Union）
Nationality
Russian-American
Languages
English, Russian
Religion
Judaism
Residence History
Leningrad (Saint Petersburg), Soviet Union → Los Angeles, United States

Career

Occupations
illustrator, writer, designer
Active Years
1979-
Affiliations
Jewish Artists Initiative of Southern California, Sloane Gallery of Contemporary Russian Art
Memberships
Jewish Artists Initiative of Southern California

Education

Leningrad State Theater Academy (Leningrad Institute of Theater Arts)
Design / Theater set and costume design
Period: 1975–1979
Year of Graduation: 1979
Country: Soviet Union
Studied set and costume design
University of Southern California (Film School)
Film
Period: 1984–1988
Year of Graduation: 1988
Country: United States
Studied film; later directed TV commercials and worked in advertising

Awards

Sydney Taylor Honor Award
2021
Work: The Genius Under the Table
Organization: Association of Jewish Libraries
Result: オナー
National Book Award (Finalist)
2018
Work: The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge (with M.T. Anderson)
Organization: National Book Foundation
Result: 最終候補
Newbery Honor
2012
Work: Breaking Stalin's Nose
Organization: American Library Association (ALSC)
Result: オナー（受賞）
Golden Kite Award
2017
Work: The Haunting of Falcon House
Organization: Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)
Result: 受賞
National Jewish Book Award
2010
Work: The Rooster Prince of Breslov (illustrator)
Organization: Jewish Book Council
Result: 受賞
Tomie DePaola Award (Illustration)
2006
Organization: Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)
Result: 受賞
Crystal Kite Award (Illustration)
Work: Won Ton (illustrator)
Organization: Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (Crystal Kite)
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Breaking Stalin's Nose

2011 Middle-grade fiction

A middle-grade novel set in Stalinist Soviet Union, told from a boy's perspective; explores authoritarianism and fear with personal insight and dark humor.

authoritarianismcoming-of-agememory and identity

The Genius Under the Table: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain

2021 Memoir for young readers

A memoir for young readers recounting the author's childhood behind the Iron Curtain, touching on family, Jewish identity, and early artistic ambitions.

memoirJewish identityimmigration and adaptation

The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge

2018 Children's fantasy

Co-authored with M.T. Anderson, a satirical children's fantasy that juxtaposes different worldviews and narrative styles.

satirecross-cultural understandingadventure

The Haunting of Falcon House

2016 Children's horror / gothic elements

A children's novel with ghostly and gothic elements, balancing traditional spooky motifs with humor and character depth.

ghostsfamily secretscourage

Won Ton: A Cat Tale Told in Haiku (illustrator)

2011 Picture book (told in haiku)

A cat tale told in haiku; Yelchin served as illustrator, combining visual humor with poetic form.

humoranimalsform and poetry

Bibliography

  • I Wish I Didn’t Have to Tell You This (2025)
  • Boar and Hedgehog (2025)
  • The Genius Under the Table (2021)
  • Spy Runner (2019)
  • The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge (2018)
  • Pip & Pup (2018)
  • Spring Hare (2017)
  • The Rooster Who Would Not Be Quiet (2017)
  • The Haunting of Falcon House (2016)
  • Elephant in the Dark (2015)
  • Crybaby (2015)
  • Won Ton and Chopstick (2015)
  • Arcady's Goal (2014)
  • Seeds, Bees, Butterflies and More! (2013)
  • Won Ton: A Cat Tale Told in Haiku (2011)
  • Dog Parade (2011)
  • Breaking Stalin's Nose (2011)
  • The Next Door Bear (2011)
  • The Rooster Prince of Breslov (2010)
  • Seven Hungry Babies (2010)
  • Heart of a Snowman (2009)
  • Ghost Files (2008)
  • Who Ate All the Cookie Dough? (2008)
  • The Cobbler’s Holiday or Why Ants Don’t Wear Shoes (2008)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
satirical tone with dark humorcalm, observant narration addressing social and historical themes for young readersintegration of distinctive visual illustration with text
Recurring Motifs
conflicts with authoritychildhood and coming-of-age challengesmemory and identity

Legacy

Eugene Yelchin is known for children's books and distinctive illustrations rooted in his Soviet-era experiences. A Newbery Honor recipient and multiple award winner, he is widely respected in children's literature.

Museums

  • Sloane Gallery of Contemporary Russian Art United States (represented by gallery)

Academic Societies

  • Jewish Artists Initiative of Southern California

Archives

  • Library of Congress (authority records)

In Popular Culture

  • Contributed original storyboards to Coca‑Cola Polar Bears campaign
  • Contributed character designs for the animated feature Rango

Trivia

  • Actor Anton Yelchin was his nephew.
  • Emigrated to the United States in 1983.
  • Created original storyboards for the Coca‑Cola Polar Bears campaign.
  • Contributed to character design on the film Rango.