Louis Slobodkin
Louis Slobodkin was an American artist and author, born on February 19, 1903, in Albany, New York. From a young age, he showed a passion for art, leading him to leave school at fifteen to pursue his dream in New York City. He studied at the Beaux Arts Institute of Design and worked various jobs to support himself. Slobodkin initially made a name for himself as a sculptor, with significant works displayed in government buildings, including his statue of "Young Abe Lincoln" in the U.S. Department of the Interior.
In addition to his sculptural work, he became renowned for his contributions to children's literature, particularly after collaborating with writer Eleanor Estes. His most notable work, the children's book "Many Moons," illustrated by him, won the Caldecott Medal. Slobodkin wrote and illustrated nearly fifty children’s books throughout his career, drawing inspiration from his own children and those in his community. He continued to work in both sculpture and book illustration until his passing on May 8, 1975, in Miami Beach, Florida. His legacy includes a rich body of work that has left a lasting impact on children’s literature and art.
On this Page
Subject Terms
Louis Slobodkin
Writer
- Born: February 19, 1903
- Birthplace: Albany, New York
- Died: May 8, 1975
- Place of death: Miami Beach, Florida
Biography
Louis Slobodkin was born on February 19, 1903, in Albany, New York. His father, Nathan Slobodkin, was an inventor, and his mother, Dora Lubin Slobodkin, was a homemaker. From an early age, he liked drawing and making sculptures out of modeling clay. Determined to become an artist, and having no interest in academics, he left school at the age of fifteen and worked odd jobs until he had saved enough money to go to New York City.
Slobodkin attended the Beaux Arts Institute of Design in New York City from 1918 to 1922, paying his way by washing dishes and doing factory work. After graduating, he worked in a commercial architectural modeling studio and on a steamer ship bound for Argentina before returning to New York and supporting himself as a sculptor and a designer. His work was exhibited in museums and galleries, and he won several sculpture competitions and commissions. Several of his statues and panels were chosen to hang in government buildings. His statue of “Young Abe Lincoln” stands in the U.S. Department of the Interior building.
In 1927, Slobodkin married the poet and children’s book writer Florence Gersh. The couple had two sons, Laurence and Michael. Slobodkin worked as a studio sculptor in France and the United States from 1931 to 1935 and was head of the sculpture division of the New York City Art Project, a New Deal public works program, from 1941 to 1942.
In 1941, Slobodkin began a collaboration with his friend Eleanor Estes, a children’s book writer. Over the next few years he illustrated and designed six books written by Estes, beginning with her first book, The Moffats (1941). This led to dozens of other children’s book projects illustrated by Slobodkin. Five of these books, including Too Many Mittens (1958) and Mr. Papadilly and Willy (1964), were written by his wife, now using the name Florence Slobodkin.
When Many Moons (1943), written by James Thurber and illustrated by Slobodkin, won the Caldecott Medal for best picture book, Slobodkin decided to devote his energies to children’s books, largely giving up sculpture. In 1944, he published the first children’s book that he both wrote and illustrated, Magic Michael. For the next three decades, Slobodkin wrote and illustrated at least one book a year, while continuing to sculpt and to illustrate others’ work. His ideas for his stories typically came from his children and grandchildren, and from the neighborhood children with whom he was friendly.
Slobodkin died of a heart attack on May 8, 1975, in Miami Beach, Florida. He was the writer of nearly fifty books and the illustrator of more than ninety, most of them for children.