World Literary Awards

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Mary Azarian

めありー・あざりあん

Mearī Azarian

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1940 （Grandfather's farm on the outskirts of Washington, DC）
Nationality
American
Languages
English
Residence History
Outskirts of Washington, DC → Calais, Vermont

Career

Occupations
woodcut artist, children's book illustrator
Active Years
1970-2024
Influenced By
Leonard Baskin

Education

Smith College
printmaking and painting
Country: United States
Studied under Leonard Baskin

Awards

Caldecott Medal
1999
Work: Snowflake Bentley
Organization: American Library Association
Result: winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Snowflake Bentley

1998 Children's picture book

Picture book telling the life of Wilson Bentley, photographer of snowflakes.

naturesnowflakesscience and art

A Farmer's Alphabet

Picture book

A Gardener's Alphabet

Picture book

Barn Cat

Picture book

The Four Seasons of Mary Azarian

Picture book

When the Moon is Full

Picture book

Bibliography

  • Snowflake Bentley
  • A Farmer's Alphabet
  • A Gardener's Alphabet
  • Barn Cat
  • The Four Seasons of Mary Azarian
  • When the Moon is Full

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Hand-colored woodcut printsBold and vibrant illustrations
Recurring Motifs
naturefarm animalsseasonsrural life

Legacy

American woodcut artist who illustrated over 50 children's books and won the 1999 Caldecott Medal. Known for works themed around nature and rural life.

Trivia

  • In 4th grade, her first relief print of 'NOEL' came out as 'LEON' because she forgot to reverse the text.
  • Grew up on her grandfather's farm near Washington, DC, exploring woods with her pony Pasty.
  • Raised horses, oxen, chickens, etc., on a Vermont farm with her three sons.