He attended the University of Maryland, College Park but quit after one semester to join the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Clown College, graduating in 1973. For several years he worked as a clown, later founding Clarion Shadow Theater with his wife, Donna Harris. Eventually he left the circus, moving to Washington, D.C to become a full-time illustrator. His book Golem, which was illustrated with layers of cut paper, won the 1997 Caldecott Medal.

In his acceptance speech, he said of himself: "I am a self-taught artist and writer who depends on instincts developed through years of circus and puppet performance to guide a story's structure and look."

Bibliography

• Wisniewski, David. "Elfwyn's Saga." New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books, 1990
• Wisniewski, David. "Golem." New York: Clarion Books, 1996
• Wisniewski, David. "Rain Player." New York: Clarion Books, 1991
• Wisniewski, David. "Sumo Mouse." San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 2002
• Wisniewski, David. "Sundiata: Lion King of Mali." New York: Clarion Books, 1992
• Wisniewski, David. "Tough Cookie." New York: Clarion Books, 1999
• Wisniewski, David. "The Secret Knowledge of Grown-ups." New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books, 1998.
• Wisniewski, David. "The Warrior and the Wise Man." New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books, 1989
• Wisniewski, David. "The Wave of the Sea Wolf." New York: Clarion Books, 1994

References

• Macpherson, Karen "Author Remembered for Detailed Work". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pennsylvania). .
• Lipson, Eden Ross "David Wisniewski, 49, Artist And Children's Book Author". The New York Times. .

External links

• David Wisniewski. Retrieved on 2007-04-19..
• BCPL Kids Pages - David Wisniewski. Retrieved on 2007-04-19..