Steve Jenkins author page

Steve Jenkins was a children’s author and illustrator best known for his striking nonfiction picture books—over 80 of them. He studied graphic design at North Carolina State University, where he also met his wife and creative partner, Robin Page. The two launched a design studio in New York before settling in Colorado in 1994.

Jenkins turned to children’s publishing in the early ’90s, driven by a deep-rooted fascination with science. His first book, Duck’s Breath and Mouse Pie, came out in 1994. From there, he found his niche: exploring animal biology, behaviour, and quirks through clean, concise writing and cut-paper collage art. His visuals weren’t just eye-catching—they helped explain complex ideas in a way kids could actually grasp.

He worked both solo and alongside others, sometimes as author, sometimes as illustrator. Notable titles like Actual Size, Down, Down, Down, and How to Clean a Hippopotamus mix facts with playful comparisons, infographics, and striking layouts. He also illustrated books by other authors, including Vulture View and Eat Like a Bear.

Critics took notice. Jenkins’s books frequently made annual best-of lists in major journals, and more than 40 were chosen by the Junior Library Guild. Over the years, he picked up a handful of honours—including Caldecott and Geisel nods, Cybils nominations, and multiple Orbis Pictus mentions.

Jenkins died in 2021, aged 69. His legacy? A sharp, original blend of design and science that continues to draw young readers into the natural world.