Jody Wheeler, Children's Book Illustrator

Jody is a nationally renowned children’s book illustrator whose artwork can be viewed at www.wheelerillustration.com.

An exhibit showcasing creations by nationally acclaimed children’s book illustrator Jody Wheeler was on display at the Jan Rutland Artists’ Space at the National Bottle Museum at 76 Milton Avenue in Ballston Spa from November 2011 until February 2012.

Area youngsters and their families were treated to an unforgettable afternoon with Wheeler during December when she came to the museum to read aloud from a copy of The Night Before Christmasthat she had illustrated for Ideals Publishing. Co-sponsored by the Anastos Media Group, The Ballston Spa Business and Professional Association, The Ballston Spa Lion’s Club, Legacies Unlimited US, Price Chopper’s Golub Foundation and Stewart’s, the uplifting program also offered complimentary refreshments, coupons for free ice cream cones and door prizes designed to inspire budding artists and authors.

At last count Wheeler – who is a graduate a Ballston Spa High School — had some 75 titles in her portfolio, ranging from fiction titles for young readers to nonfiction titles for middle readers as well as keepsake memory books, activity books, calendars, greeting cards and many other products.

Included are illustrations that introduced such characters as E.T., The Extraterrestrial and collaborations that have breathed new life into characters in remakes of such titles as Ludwig Bemelmans’ Madeline, Don Freeman’s Corduroy the Bear and those in some of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House books – specifically the Farmer Boy books about the early days of Laura’s husband Almanzo Wilder. Wheeler has most recently completed illustrations for An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving by Louisa May Alcott and The First Noel (both from Ideals Publishing) as well as a book based on characters created by the late Ezra Jack Keats titled Roberto Walks Home.

(To view samples, visit www.wheelerillustration.com or www.zazzle.com/wheelart.)

“The invitation to exhibit samples of my illustrations in my hometown means so much to me,” says Wheeler, who often draws upon memories of her upstate New York childhood when painting images to accompany stories for young readers.

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The two videos below feature Jody Wheeler explaining the book illustration process to some young fans.

Part I and Part II of “A visit with children’s book illustrator Jody Wheeler”

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