Earl B. Lewis, children's book illustrator, with students from Killian Elementary School

Killian Elementary students cheered with laughter as the watercolor illustrations of Earl B. Lewis flashed one after the other on the large slide screen. The youngsters didn't recognize the famous artist standing at the front of the assembly room, yet his art was as familiar to them as a childhood lullaby.

A native of Phil-adelphia, E. B. Lewis attended Temple University, majoring in art education, graphic design and illustration. After graduation in 1979, he became a teacher and freelance graphic artist. His fine art collection gained national attention during the late 1980s at a Philadelphia art gallery and an exhibition in the Rosenfeld Gallery, also in Philadelphia. His art is now featured in exhibitions across the nation and in an award-winning list of children's books. He is currently teaching illustration at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia.

Lewis explained that since he was a child, art has been his "passion." Focusing on this theme, he encouraged Killian Elementary School students to really think about what they enjoy studying. The students enthusiastically responded to his questions about their favorite subjects ... math, technology, science, literature, and music. And the students were left with the objective of realizing their own passions.

Lewis has illustrated countless books, including Coming on Home Soon (2005 Caldecott Honor Book), Talkin' About Bessie (2003 Coretta Scott King award winner), Down the Road (American Library Associa-tion Notable Book), The Other Side (Notable Book for Language Arts), Rows and Piles of Coins (2000 Coretta Scott King Honor Book), and Bat Boy and His Violin (1999 Coretta Scott King Honor Book).