StephenGammell

photo: Charles Rushton

Contact Stephen:

Stephen Gammell
P.O.Box 14442
St.Paul, MN 55114

Some of my earliest and happiest memories are of lying on the floor in our old house and Des Moines, books and magazines around me, piles of pads and paper, lot of pencils...and drawing. Just drawing! I was four at the time thinking that I really didn't want to go to school next year...I just want to do THIS.

Well, these many years later, here I am doing THAT. Drawing. Painting. Making art. Making books. What I wanted to do.

Sometimes there is uncertainty about not getting on paper what I see in my mind's eye, or wondering about how to achieve a certain effect, or even being puzzled about the direction an illustration is going, or should go. But never any dissatisfaction about what I am doing in life. I've alway felt, and I've said this, that a bad day at the studio is better than a good day doing anything else (with the possible exception of a wilderness hike, or watching a Laurel and Hardy movie).

So, still at it. Still on the journey. Still taking a perfectly good sheet of paper and ruining it. My thanks to all who enjoy my efforts. Hopefully we'll continue to enjoy them together.

—Stephen Gammell




			Mudkin written and illustrated by Stephen Gammell illustrated by Stephen Gammell Carolrhoda, 2011 ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0761357902 "Rain's gone! Time to play!" commands the queen. Well, she's not really a queen--just an ordinary girl who has an extraordinary day. She meets Mudkin, a friendly creature who whips up a robe and crown for her. Away they go to meet Her Majesty's subjects. Even if the kingdom lasts only until the next rain shower, the crown Mudkin gives her is forever.



			How the Nobble Was Finally Found written by C. K. Williams Harcourt Children's Books, 2009 ages 9 to 12, ISBN 978-0152054601 The Nobble lives in a world all his own—a fantastical world where you can do the impossible things of dreams. It’s a nice life and all he’s ever known. Yet one day he begins to think about finding some place he hasn’t been yet. Or maybe seeing something he hasn’t seen yet. Or...something. So he sets off on a journey to an unusual place, where he discovers roary things, fuzzy things, and tall, shiny, rectangular things. Then a door knocks. If only he knew what a door was...



			I Know an Old Teacher written by Anne Bowen illustrated by Stephen Gammell Carolrhoda, 2008 ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0822579847 Taking a creative look at the classic children's song "I Know an Old Woman," this rendition starts out as an innocent accident when a tiny flea plops into Miss Bindley's tea. But it's downhill from there, and soon Miss Bindley is gobbling up the entire classroom menagerie! Caldecott Medal-winner Stephen Gammell's stunning illustrations combine media such as watercolor, colored pencils—and even spit—to create a tone of whimsy throughout this ridiculous tale. With infectious rhyme, rhythm, and repetition, I Know an Old Teacher is the perfect read aloud, sure to elicit squeals of both delight and disgust as Miss Bindley swallows each of the class pets one by one.



			My Friend, the Starfinder written by George Ella Lyon illustrated by Stephen Gammell Atheneum, 2008 ISBN 978-1-4169-2738-9 Dazzled, a little girl listens to her old neighbor's story of following a falling star when he was a boy. He found it, too. He put it in her hands. But that's not all the starfinder has to tell. One day something found him. It's a story too good to keep. See for yourself.



			The Secret Science Project That Almost Ate the School written by Judy Sierra illustrated by Stephen Gammell Simon & Schuster, 2006 ISBN 978-1-4169-1175-3 Students heed this little rhyme When it's science project time, Do not make goop, or glop, or grime, and never mess with MUTANTSLIME.

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