Allen Say

The Innkeeper’s Apprentice (1979), Allen Say’s first and only long-form book, tells his own life story and inspired his picture book autobiography, Drawing from Memory (2011).

Biography

Writer and illustrator Allen Say was born in Yokohama, Japan, in 1937 to a Japanese American mother and a Korean father. He dreamed of becoming a cartoonist from the age of six. At age twelve, he was sent off to Tokyo — living on his own — to attend a prestigious school in the city. Instead, he sought out and apprenticed himself to the famous post-war cartoonist, Noro Shinpei, and spent the next four years learning to draw and paint. That experience is described first in his autobiographical novel The Ink-Keeper’s Apprentice (1996) and later in the 2011 picture book Drawing from Memory. At age sixteen, Say emigrated from Japan to California with his father.

In high school, Say was encouraged to pursue his art. He attended a special weekend arts program at Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles and classes at Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles. After graduation, Say went back to Japan, vowing never to return to America. But after a year in a much-changed Japan, he returned and worked as an apprentice to a sign painter and then had a two-year stint in the army, stationed in Germany. Say returned to California and for 20 years worked as a commercial photographer.

During those years, he kept drawing. In 1988, Say was asked by Walter Lorraine, an editor at Houghton Mifflin Company, to illustrate a retelling of the Japanese folktale, The Boy of the Three-Year Nap. It won the prestigious Caldecott Honor Award and Horn Book Award. The success of that book allowed Say to return to doing what he really loved, full-time — writing, painting, drawing — and it was the beginning of his second career as a children’s book author and illustrator. Since then, he has written and illustrated many books, including Tree of Cranes, Grandfather’s Journey (winner of the 1994 Caldecott Medal), Home of the Brave, Tea with Milk, Kamishibai Man, and The Boy in the Garden. Many of his books have autobiographical elements. Say currently lives with his wife in Portland, Oregon.

Books by this author

When Allison tries on the red kimono her grandmother has sent her, she is suddenly aware that she resembles her favorite doll more than she does her mother and father. When she learns that she is adopted, she becomes angry and withdrawn. Allison’s doll becomes her only solace until she finds a stray cat in the garden and learns the true meaning of adoption and parental love.

Allison

Allen Say

Age Level:

6-9

Boy in the Garden

Allen Say

Age Level:

6-9

A series of memories from this Caldecott Medalist’s life begins in Japan and moves between the two cultures of which he is part. The revealing narration is interwoven with photographs, cartoons, sketches and more. Slightly older, more sophisticated readers may enjoy Say’s slightly fictionalized autobiography, Ink-Keeper’s Apprentice.

Drawing from Memory

Allen Say

Age Level:

9-12

This remarkable story is based on the life of Billy Wong, a Chinese-American who travels to Europe, becomes fascinated with bullfighting, and decides to become a matador. Eventually, Billy’s determination and recognition of what makes him unique helps him realize his dream. Luminous watercolors illustrate this sensitive picture book biography.

El Chino

Allen Say

Age Level:

6-9

Genre:

Nonfiction

Emma’s Rug

Allen Say

Age Level:

6-9

Erika-San

Allen Say

Age Level:

6-9

Say narrates the saga of his grandfather who as a young man travels to the United States in the early 20th century, marries, and returns to Japan. Watercolor portraits of people and places glimpse the contrast of cultures and parallel the lives of grandfather and grandson. It could lead to a discovery of family histories. Country of origin: Japan

Grandfather’s Journey

Allen Say

Age Level:

6-9

Genre:

Biography, Nonfiction

Kamishibai Man

Allen Say

Age Level:

6-9

Genre:

Fiction

James Castle was born deaf and mute in 1899 on a farm in Idaho. The story of this child who grew up to become an artist is told in his nephew’s voice and illustrated in dark-hued illustrations that evoke not only the artist’s work but also his difficult life. Allen Say’s appreciation of this artist and his work is sophisticated and memorable, presenting a unique and truly original artist.

Silent Days, Silent Dreams

Allen Say

Age Level:

9-12

Genre:

Biography, Nonfiction

At home, Masako speaks Japanese and sips green tea with her parents. But at her friends’ houses near San Francisco, May speaks English and enjoys pancakes and tea with milk and sugar. When May’s parents decide to return to Japan, she feels lost. May finally begins to find her way in the big city of Osaka, where she makes a special friend who also speaks English — and drinks his tea with milk and sugar. Allen Say brings tenderness and humor to his mother’s unforgettable story in this beautiful tribute to his parents.

Tea with Milk

Allen Say

Age Level:

9-12

The Favorite Daughter

Allen Say

Age Level:

3-6

Genre:

Fiction

The author/illustrator’s look back at his early years started in Drawing from Memory (2011) continues here. Allen doesn’t really fit in at his father’s friend’s Southern California military academy. Leaving it was the start of a journey toward finding the artist within. Told through a variety of artistic pieces and styles and a highly person narration, readers will empathize and ache with this Caldecott winning artist.