Leo+Lionni

Logan Bradshaw and Madison Boice Leo Lionni

Leo Lionni was born in Holland on May 5, 1910. His father was an artisan and his mother was a singer. At a young age, Leo drew at the Rijksmuseum where he obtained a permit to draw from casts. When Lionni was 12 years old his family moved to America. As he grew older he wanted to become a graphic designer, producing signs for ships making his own comp advertisements for Compari. His work was under the influence of. His paintings were shown through shows throughout Italy. After building a family, Lionni became devoted to advertising design in 1933. However, in 1934 Leo returned back to Italy struggling to find a career he enjoyed. He then became an architectural critic. Then in 1945 Lionni headed to the US fleeing from Hitler's rule. In America he lived in New York, and received a job as drawing cartoons for slogans that appeared in leading magazines. He continued work in magazines until he fell into writing and illustrating children's books until his death. In the late 1990's Lionni developed Parinson's Disease and died on October 11, 1999.

Sites Used: http://www.yourlibrary.ws/childrens_webpage/e-author52000.htm http://www.aiga.org/content.cfm/medalist-leolionni