About Erik Brooks: Children's Book Author and Illustrator

WISCONSIN • TEXAS • ALASKA

I was born in Wisconsin, moved quickly south to Texas, and then on up to Anchorage, Alaska.

Living in the "Last Frontier" from 1974-1983 doesn't have a lot to do with children's books, but those memories are very important to me. Alaska, more than any other place, defines my childhood - contains it - and keeps it alive.

Like kids in many places, I explored the woods, floated tinfoil canoes in the gutter and played with friends. As an Alaskan, I loved the snow and the Fur Rendevous celebrations in winter. I got pretty comfortable with the occasional moose wandering through our yard, and I was even run-over by a dog sled!

I also loved to draw. At one point, my friend Robert Eastlack and I decided that we should be brain surgeons. Why? Because we had steady hands from all of our dinosaur doodling of course :)

That sounds great, but I am not a brain surgeon.

COLORADO • TEXAS • MINNESOTA WASHINGTON • MINNESOTA...

We moved a few more times over several years and drawing was my way of fitting in to each new place. Drawing defined me in each and every place that I have lived.

In Minnesota, a terrific high school art teacher kept my artistic interests alive despite numerous possible distractions (cycling, soccer, track, summer BBQs etc.), and somewhere between pop-up books and printmaking it seemed like living as an ARTIST was something that I could aspire to.

After graduating from Carleton College (Northfield, MN) in 1994 with a degree in Art and a teaching certificate, I thought that I would follow in the footsteps of my high school art teacher. Between substitute teaching assignments however, I started telling stories in my sketchbook.

I dabbled around with several ideas and tried to get serious about creating a portfolio of suitable children's book illustration. During this process, and over several years, I stumbled upon the ideas for my first book, The Practically Perfect Pajamas.

Erik in his studio. Working on illustrations for Emme Aronson's, What Are You Hungry For?

While not so simple as that of course, this is where my work as a writer and illustrator began.

AH HA!

I love telling stories and creating the art to go with them. With each book I learn something new about painting, drawing, and writing, and hope that this will always be the case. Occassional sleepless nights and deadlines aside, I love what I do -- I don't even mind the all nighters that much -- I just get tired :)

WINTHROP, WASHINGTON, U.S.A

Today I live in Winthrop, WA with my wife Sarah and our young daughter. There is also Max, the most handsome mutt of a dog that you will ever meet. Expect Max to have a book of his own someday. If I don't write it, Max'll take matters into his own paws! When not drawing, writing, or updateing this behemoth website, I also enjoy coaching cross-country skiing or wandering the foothills of the Cascade mountains. Sarah and I also spend a fair bit of time chasing after the kid - just living!

THANKS FOR VISITING!

Erik and his family. Winthrop, Washington -- December 2004


ABOUT ERIK
WISCONSIN • TEXAS • ALASKA I was born in Wisconsin, moved quickly south to Texas, and then on up to Anchorage, Alaska. Living in the "Last Frontier" from 1974-1983 doesn't have a lot to do with children's books, but those memories are very important to me. Alaska, more than any other place, defines my childhood - contains it - and keeps it alive. Like kids in many places, I explored the woods, floated tinfoil canoes in the gutter and played with friends. As an Alaskan, I loved the snow and the Fur Rendevous celebrations in winter. I got pretty comfortable with the occasional moose wandering through our yard, and I was even run-over by a dog sled! I also loved to draw. At one point, my friend Robert Eastlack and I decided that we should be brain surgeons. Why? Because we had steady hands from all of our dinosaur doodling of course :) That sounds great, but I am not a brain surgeon.

		COLORADO • TEXAS • MINNESOTA WASHINGTON • MINNESOTA... We moved a few more times over several years and drawing was my way of fitting in to each new place. Drawing defined me in each and every place that I have lived. In Minnesota, a terrific high school art teacher kept my artistic interests alive despite numerous possible distractions (cycling, soccer, track, summer BBQs etc.), and somewhere between pop-up books and printmaking it seemed like living as an ARTIST was something that I could aspire to. After graduating from Carleton College (Northfield, MN) in 1994 with a degree in Art and a teaching certificate, I thought that I would follow in the footsteps of my high school art teacher. Between substitute teaching assignments however, I started telling stories in my sketchbook. I dabbled around with several ideas and tried to get serious about creating a portfolio of suitable children's book illustration. During this process, and over several years, I stumbled upon the ideas for my first book, *The Practically Perfect Pajamas.*
Erik in his studio. Working on illustrations for Emme Aronson's, What Are You Hungry For?		While not so simple as that of course, this is where my work as a writer and illustrator began.
AH HA! I love telling stories and creating the art to go with them. With each book I learn something new about painting, drawing, and writing, and hope that this will always be the case. Occassional sleepless nights and deadlines aside, I love what I do -- I don't even mind the all nighters that much -- I just get tired :)
WINTHROP, WASHINGTON, U.S.A Today I live in Winthrop, WA with my wife Sarah and our young daughter. There is also Max, the most handsome mutt of a dog that you will ever meet. Expect Max to have a book of his own someday. If I don't write it, Max'll take matters into his own paws! When not drawing, writing, or updateing this behemoth website, I also enjoy coaching cross-country skiing or wandering the foothills of the Cascade mountains. Sarah and I also spend a fair bit of time chasing after the kid - just living! THANKS FOR VISITING!


Erik and his family. Winthrop, Washington -- December 2004


Erik and Percy pose with some young fans at Erik's first official book signing! Super Jock and Jill in Seattle, Washington -- April 2000
A little more about Erik (albeit slightly outdated), as posted in Spring 2000 at winslowpress.com
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