Scott Magoon
Scott Magoon (born 1972) is an American author and illustrator of children's books. Over a career spanning more than two decades, he has illustrated nearly 40 picture books, written several titles, and created original graphic novels. Magoon is a New York Times bestselling illustrator whose work has received multiple awards, including the Schneider Family Book Award and the Christopher Award.[1][2]
Early life and education
Magoon was born in Melrose, Massachusetts and raised in New England. He attended elementary schools in Hudson, New Hampshire, graduated from Skowhegan Area High School in Skowhegan, Maine, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Northeastern University. Though he did not receive formal training in illustration, Magoon is a self-taught artist.[3] He is the great-grandson of vaudeville performers Harry Vokes[4] and Marie Sherry Vokes.
Career
Magoon began his career in publishing in 2003, first as a book designer at Candlewick Press and later as an art director at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.[5] He transitioned to full-time author-illustrator work in 2015. His illustration credits include books by Amy Krouse Rosenthal (Spoon, Chopsticks), Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes (Rescue and Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship), Eric Litwin (The Nuts series) and Ame Dyckman (Misunderstood Shark series). As both writer and illustrator, Magoon has created several books, including Breathe (2014), the Extincts graphic novel series, and Linus the Little Yellow Pencil (2019).
Magoon's books frequently include anthropomorphic characters and explore themes such as creativity, friendship, science, and resilience. His illustrations have been exhibited at the Museum of American Illustration.
In 2013, Magoon was running as a bandit participant in the Boston Marathon and witnessed both explosions at the finish line in the Boston Marathon Bombing. This experience later informed his work illustrating Rescue and Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship, which portrays a young girl adjusting to life with a service dog after losing her legs.[6]
Style and influences
Magoon primarily works with digital media and often uses anthropomorphized characters with simplified forms, patterned backgrounds, and a clean, graphic design approach. His work draws on techniques from mid‑century illustration and animation. In an interview on *Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast*, he discussed using “spare text” and illustrations across double-page spreads, emphasizing mood and composition.[7]
Public appearances and outreach
Magoon regularly appears at schools, libraries, bookstores, museums, and literary festivals in the United States. His presentations often include live drawing, discussions of the creative process, and student Q&A sessions. He also offers mural residencies at schools and libraries, during which students observe and engage with him as he creates large-scale works related to books and reading.[8]
Personal life
Magoon lives in Massachusetts with his wife and two sons. He maintains a professional website at scottmagoon.com.
Selected works
As illustrator
- Spoon (2009), written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
- Chopsticks (2012), written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
- Rescue and Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship (2018), written by Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes
- Misunderstood Shark (2018) and Friends Don’t Eat Friends (2019), written by Ame Dyckman
- The Nuts: Bedtime at the Nut House (2014), written by Eric Litwin
- Rocket Ship, Solo Trip (2024), written by Chiara Colombi
As author-illustrator
- Breathe (2014)
- The Extincts graphic novel series (2022– )
- Linus the Little Yellow Pencil (2019)
- There’s No Place Like Gnome’s (2025)
Awards and honors
- New York Times Bestseller (Rescue and Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship)
- Schneider Family Book Award (2019)[9]
- Christopher Award (2019) for Rescue and Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship[10]
- Irma Black Honor Award (2013) for Big Mean Mike by Michelle Knudsen, illustrated by Magoon[11]
- New England Book Award (2018) for Rescue and Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship[12]
- Massachusetts Book Award (2019) for Rescue and Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship[13]
- Massachusetts Book Award (2015) for Breathe[14]
- ALA Notable Children’s Book[15]
- Listed on several U.S. state and regional reading lists[16]
References
- ↑ "Rescue and Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship" (PDF). Candlewick Press. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
- ↑ "ALA announces 2019 youth media award winners". American Library Association. 2019-01-28. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
- ↑ "About". ScottMagoon.com. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
- ↑ [citation needed]
- ↑ "Q & A with Scott Magoon". Publishers Weekly. 2022-02-15. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
- ↑ "Q & A with Scott Magoon". Publishers Weekly. 2022-02-15. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
- ↑ "Breathe: A Visit with Scott Magoon". Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast. April 2014. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
- ↑ "About". ScottMagoon.com. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
- ↑ "ALA announces 2019 youth media award winners". American Library Association. 2019-01-28. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
- ↑ "2019 Christopher Award Winners Announced". The Christophers. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
- ↑ "2013 Irma Black Award Winners". Bank Street College of Education. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
- ↑ "2018 New England Book Awards Winners". New England Independent Booksellers Association. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
- ↑ "Massachusetts Book Awards: 2019 Winners". Massachusetts Center for the Book. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
- ↑ "Massachusetts Book Awards: 2015 Winners". Massachusetts Center for the Book. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
- ↑ [citation needed]
- ↑ [citation needed]
External links
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