Ashley Bryan

Ashley Bryan (1923–2022) grew up to the sound of his mother singing from morning to night, and he shared the joy of song with children. A beloved illustrator, he was named a Newbery Honoree for his picture book,Freedom Over Me. He also received the Coretta Scott King—Virginia Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, was a May Hill Arbuthnot lecturer, a Coretta Scott King Award winner, and the recipient of countless other awards and recognitions. His books includeFreedom Over Me;Sail Away;Beautiful Blackbird;Beat the Story-Drum, Pum Pum;Let It Shine;Ashley Bryan’s Book of Puppets; andWhat a Wonderful World. He livedin Islesford, one of the Cranberry Isles off the coast of Maine.