Jim Postier

Illustrator Jim Postier began his career as a medical illustrator, working for 13 years at the Mayo Clinic, making anatomical and surgical drawings for doctors. After his first book, Goose Moon, was released, he began working from his home studio on a variety of children’s book and medical projects. He has also illustrated Best Little Wingman and most recently, Turtle Girl. Postier especially enjoys drawing and painting things in nature like animals, trees, seashells and old bones. While working on medical drawings, Jim is often assisted by Norman, his skeleton model. His children sometimes pose as models for his children’s book and Christmas cards illustrations.

Postier enjoys sharing his thoughts on art and believes that drawing is a kind of “language” and that just about everyone can learn to make drawings they are happy with if they can learn to see the world a little differently.

Turtle Girl
written by Carole Crowe
Boyds Mills Press, 2008
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-1-59078-262-0

Magdalena’s grandmother has instilled in her grandchild a love of sea turtles. She promises Magdalena that she will always be with her at turtle time. But when her grandmother dies, Magdalena feels hurt and betrayed. She doesn’t care about the hatchlings that are beginning to emerge from their shells under the sand. Then, in the distance, she hears the cry of a hungry gull.

Carole Crowe’s deeply felt story of memory and the enduring power of love is beautifully illustrated by Jim Postier.

Best Little Wingman
written by Janet Allen
Boyds Mills Press, November 2004
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-1-59078-197-5

On a cold and snowy night, Janny climbs into the cab of her father's big snowplow. She has an important job to do. She is the wingman who pulls the lever that raises the plow's right wing, so that the plow doesn't knock over mailboxes along the road. With a tin filled with her mother's warm biscuits and a Thermos filled with hot chocolate, Janny and her father head into the countryside. Along the way, Janny and her father help Dr. Turner, the veterinarian, reach a sick horse, and they pull Mr. Watson's car out of a snowbank. It's hard work and a long night—a night among other snowy nights that Janny will never forget. Janet Allen's beautifully told story, with stunning illustrations by Jim Postier, captures the special bond between a father and daughter and the snowy night they share.

Goose Moon
written by Carolyn Arden
Boyds Mills Press, March 2004
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-1-59078-040-4

Reading Guide available from Minnesota Storytime

Winter is fun, but after months of bundling up and staying indoors, kids start longing for summer. They want to swim, chase fireflies, and feel the grass tickle their bare feet again. But when will summer be here? In this heartwarming picture book, a girl living in the country learns from her grandfather that she has to watch and listen for the signs of Spring. "Maybe you'll notice that the birds are singing louder each morning, or that suddenly there's more mud under your feet than snow," he says. "You might feel a warm breeze blowing through your hair when you're playing outside. Then you'll know the Goose Moon is coming and summer can't be far behind." Illustrated in glowing watercolors by Minnesota native Jim Postier and written from the heart by Carolyn Arden, Goose Moon is a comforting book about nature's cycles and the special bond a child and grandparent can share.