Barbara Lehman was born in Chicago, and grew up in New Jersey not far from New York City. She attended Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, and made her home in New York City for many years. She now lives in the Hudson Valley area of Upstate New York, with her partner Sylvie Kantorovitz. Sylvie is also an author-illustrator, making everything from picture books to graphic novels.
image: Doing a watercolor demonstration for children at The Whitney Museum of American Art
The Red Book was awarded a Caldecott Honor in 2005. Barbara's work has been included in shows at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, The Society of Illustrators, The Chicago Art Institute, The Mazza Museum and The New York Public Library. She has shared her work in programs for children at the Whitney Museum of American Art and at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.
image: the giant sign for the SPEECHLESS show at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art!
"Books and art have always held the strongest attraction for me. I have always felt drawn to commercial art because of its ability to reach many people. I like the idea of being part of the media in a meaningful and thoughtful way, especially with children as the audience."