Sydney Smith author page

Sydney Smith biography

Sydney Smith is a Canadian illustrator known for his work in children’s literature. He studied drawing and printmaking at NSCAD University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Smith has illustrated several acclaimed picture books, collaborating with authors such as JonArno Lawson, Jordan Scott, and Joanne Schwartz.

His illustrations for Sidewalk Flowers (2015), written by JonArno Lawson, received widespread recognition. The book won the 2015 Governor General’s Award for Illustrated Children’s Books and was named a New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book. Smith illustrated Town Is by the Sea (2017), written by Joanne Schwartz, which won the 2018 Kate Greenaway Medal and the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award. The book was also shortlisted for the 2017 Governor General’s Award for Illustrated Children’s Books.

Smith illustrated Small in the City (2019), which he also wrote. The book was awarded the 2020 Kate Greenaway Medal, making Smith the first Canadian to win the award twice. Small in the City was also named a New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Book and was shortlisted for the 2019 Governor General’s Award for Illustrated Children’s Books.

Other notable works illustrated by Smith include I Talk Like a River (2020), written by Jordan Scott, which won the 2021 Schneider Family Book Award and was named a Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor Book. Smith’s illustrations for Footpath Flowers (the UK title for Sidewalk Flowers) and It Began with a Page: How Gyo Fujikawa Drew the Way (written by Kyo Maclear) have also received critical acclaim.

Smith’s work has been recognised with multiple awards, including the Kate Greenaway Medal in 2018 and 2020, the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award, and the Governor General’s Award for Illustrated Children’s Books in 2015. His illustrations for I Talk Like a River won the 2021 Schneider Family Book Award.