Floyd Cooper to speak at Salem event

SALEM — Floyd Cooper, an internationally known illustrator and author of children’s books, will give a presentation at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Kent State-Salem lecture hall, room 101.

The interactive event, during which Cooper will demonstrate his unique painting style, is sponsored by Salem Storybook Museum and Kent-Salem. It is free to the public.

“Not only will Mr. Cooper speak about his illustrations and books, he will do so while painting,” said Elizabeth Thatcher, Story Book Museum director.

“Mr. Cooper’s painting style, known as an oil wash, is quite different, as he actually erases the paint off the canvas to create his pictures.”

Cooper is the illustrator of “Meet Danitra Brown” by Nikki Grimes, “Brown Honey in Broomwheat Tea: Poems” by Joyce Carol Thomas, “Miz Berlin Walks” by Jane Yolen, “Be Good to Eddie Lee” by Virginia Fleming, “The Most Precious Gift” by Marty Crisp and “Grandpa’s Face” by Eloise Greenfield.

He also illustrated his own books: “Jump! From the Life of Michael Jordan,” “Coming Home: From the Life of Langston Hughes” and “Willie and the All-Stars.”

He is the winner of the 2009 Coretta Scott King Award for illustrating “The Blacker the Berry” by Wallace Thurman.

The award is given to black authors and illustrators for out-standing contributions to children’s and young-adult literature in books that promote appreciation of the contribution of all people.

Cooper will sell and sign copies of his books, which will be on sale after his presentation.