In fact, he became the first children’s book illustrator to use collages as his main medium. Lionni is known for his use of collage and bright colors in his books. Leo Lionni wrote and illustrated more than 40 highly acclaimed children’s books. Leo Lionni officially launched his career as an author and illustrator of books for children in 1959 after the debut of his first children’s picture book, Little Blue and Little Yellow (1959), originally developed from a story he had told to his grandchildren during a train ride. Later, he worked for Olivetti Corporation of America and then the Fortune magazine. Lionni was hired by a Philadelphia advertising agency as art director after his arrival in the United States. Internationally recognized as an artist, designer, sculptor, and author of children’s books, Lionni is the recipient of the 1984 American Institute of Graphic Arts Gold Medal and is a four-time Caldecott Honor Book winner for Inch by Inch (1961), Swimmy (1964), Frederick (1968), and Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse (1970). He died in 1999 at his home in Tuscany at the age of 89.

After returning to Italy in 1962, Lionni started writing and illustrating many children’s books. in 1939 where he had been involved in the world of graphic arts ever since. During Lionni’s early time in Italy, he started out his career as a Futurist artist. in economics from the University of Genoa.

Then, during Lionni’s teens, his family moved to Italy. As a child, Lionni taught himself to draw by copying the works of the masters in Amsterdam’s museums.

Leo lionni mouse