John Burningham - Illustrator

John Burningham was born on April 27, 1936 in Farnham, Surrey, England. In 1956, Burningham started his studies at the Central School of Art, where he received a diploma. He wasted no time putting his artistic abilities to good use. He designed posters for London Transport and the British Transport Commission. He also spent a year on an animated puppet film in the Middle East. He found his ultimate calling of writing and illustrating children's books in 1963.

Leo and Diane Dillon - Illustrators

During more than four decades of illustrating children's books, two-time Caldecott Medalists Leo and Diane Dillon have received nearly every award and honor in this genre. They have illustrated scores of books written by others, and they have written two of their own titles.


Leo Dillon and Diane Sorber were born eleven days apart in 1933 — Leo in Brooklyn, New York, and Diane near Los Angeles, California. When they met at Parsons School of Design in New York City in 1954, each already aspired to a life of art. The Dillons have produced an incredible variety of drawings and illustrations for prints, book jackets, textbooks, album covers, and of course children's books. (see more of their biography here)


Leo Dillon died in Brooklyn, NY, on May 26, 2012. He was 79, so I thought it would be fitting to post their work on the Turquoise Umbrella. I most remember them for their beautiful work in "Why Mosiquitoes Buzz in People's Ears."

Retta Scot Worcester - Illustrator

Retta Scott Worcester (23 February 1916 - 26 August 1990) was an American artist. She was notably the first woman to receive screen credit as an animator at the Walt Disney Animation Studios. She was hired in 1938 and assigned to the Story Department, where her stunning sketches caught the eye of Disney himself, she worked under the film's supervising director, David D. Hand, and she was tutored by Disney animator Eric Larson. Retta Scott left Disney in 1946 and moved to the East Coast, where she continued to freelance, illustrating for many more years. 

Mary Blair - Illustrator

Mary Blair was an American artist (October 21, 1911 – July 26, 1978). Some of her most famous work was for The Walt Disney Company, drawing concept art for such films as Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, Song of the South and Cinderella. Several of her illustrated children's books from the 1950s remain in print, such as I Can Fly by Ruth Krauss. Blair was honored as a Disney Legend in 1991.