Because Barbara

Barbara Cooney Paints Her World

by Sarah Mackenzie
illustrated by Eileen Ryan Ewen

★ “Will intrigue many adult readers as well as children, particularly those familiar with Cooney’s timeless picture books.”

—Booklist (starred review)

“A lovely, inspirational biography with an empowering growth-mindset message.”

—The Children’s Book Review

Legendary picture book creator Barbara Cooney once noticed that the library in her little town by the sea needed attention. A library, she knew, should be a kind of paradise. And because Barbara did whatever she set her mind to, she made it one.

Barbara Cooney set her mind to lots of things―none so dear as capturing the beauty of the world in her paintings. These paintings would form the settings for her award-winning picture books, including Chanticleer and the Fox, Ox-Cart Man, Miss Rumphius, Roxaboxen, and others.

Follow Barbara from New York to Maine, from the shores of Greece to the mountains of Appalachia, as she captures their beauty and creates some of the most magnificent books for children ever published.

A picture book biography from Waxwing Books about one of America’s best-loved and most celebrated children’s book illustrators.

  • Type: Jacketed Hardcover
  • Cover Price: $18.99 US ($24.99 CAN)
  • Pages: 40
  • Available: May 28, 2024
  • Best for Ages: 4-10
  • Book Dimensions: 9 in H | 11 in W
  • ISBN: 9781956393040, 1956393048

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About the Author & Illustrator

Sarah Mackenzie

Sarah Mackenzie

Sarah Mackenzie is a homeschooling mother of six, bestselling author, and host of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast. She lives in the Pacific Northwest, where she reads aloud and collects every book by Barbara Cooney that she can get her hands on.

Eileen Ryan Ewen

Eileen Ryan Ewen

Eileen Ryan Ewen is a freelance artist with a background in Fine Art and Creative Writing. After spending years painting portraits, she decided to delve headfirst into children’s book art and hasn’t looked back since. Eileen lives in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, with her husband, four young children, and two very old cats.

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