“At the end of the day, I took your sketch, had it framed at Michaels and presented it to the principal.” — Erika Makesyn, Authorfest Enrichment Coordinator

Scott Magoon is an award-winning author and New York Times bestselling illustrator of nearly 40 picture books, including Rescue & Jessica: A Life Changing Friendship by Jessica Kensky & Patrick Downes, the Misunderstood Shark series by Ame Dyckman and the Spoon series by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. He is also the author/illustrator of the Extincts series of graphic novels, Linus the Little Yellow Pencil, Breathe, The Boy Who Cried Bigfoot and the forthcoming There’s No Place Like Gnomes. With over two decades of experience, Scott’s captivated young readers and their families with his digital art’s warmth, humor, and heart.

A former children’s book designer at Candlewick Press and an art director at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Scott brings a keen eye for detail to his work, crafting stories and drawings that delight and inspire. When he’s not drawing or dreaming up new tales, you’ll find him running, adventuring with his family or in record shops, hunting for jazz vinyl. He lives in the Boston area where he often enjoys a bowl of clam chowder.

Scott's Featured Titles

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We Have Liftoff: The Art of Launching a Picture Book

Using slides of sketches, final art, and inspiration, Scott shows his process of making a picture book. Features the making of Rocket Ship, Solo Trip by Chiara Beth Colombi, illustrated by Scott. Includes digital draw-along and Q&A.

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More Than Words Picture Book Workshop

This presentation includes slides and the use of Procreate as a drawing and presentation tool. Students will have a chance to learn how to draw the cartoon turtle featured throughout this talk.

Scott takes students through the ways words and pictures can work together using a simple story, and examples from one of Scott’s books. Examples include using motion lines, place, suggesting the passage of time and how words can tell a different story than the pictures do. Includes digital draw-along and Q&A. Limited to groups of 25 students.

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Graphic Novel Workshop

This presentation includes slides, and the use of Procreate as a drawing and presentation tool. Students will have a chance to create their own 6 panels of comics using the conventions, tips and techniques Scott discusses.

Highlights “the making of” process. Tips and tricks to making your own graphic novel, including digital draw-along and Q&A. Limited to groups of 25 students.

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Let’s Go Extincts: Creatures, Climate and the Creative Process

In this dynamic presentation, Scott reads an animated chapter from EXTINCTS QUEST FOR THE UNICORN HORN then talks about each creature featured on the team—Woolly Mammoth, Passenger Pigeon, Poison Dart Frog and the Sabertooth Tiger. Each creature features video and fun facts, including their diet, habitat, size and why they went extinct. Then Scott talks about climate change and some ways students can to combat it. Then he’ll talk about making comic books, followed by a Woolly Mammoth draw along. A great way for students and teachers alike to connect to the environment and art.

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Bringing the Magic of Reading to Life: Get a Mural for Your School Or Library

Are you looking for a way to transform the walls of your school or library into a captivating and inspiring space? Let’s talk.

Why Mural? The world needs more art! Why? A good mural enhances the aesthetic appeal of your space to create a vibrant and inspiring atmosphere for students, parents and staff. Perhaps more importantly, the presence of art in educational spaces can foster creativity and critical thinking among students to contribute to a more rounded learning experience. (Not to mention that original art painted by a creator of your students’ favorite picture books is an added bonus!)

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You Rescued Me: The Healing Power of Picture Books

Using video, images and a conversational style presentation, Scott talks about his personal journey. From his experience in the Boston Marathon bombing, to the making and reception of Rescue and Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship. Includes digital draw-along and Q&A.

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Storytime with Scott Magoon

The Extincts — Let’s Save the World….Together!

Visitors can learn about climate change, species extinction and ways young people can help. Plus: activities, videos, further reading and much more—all in one place.

Scott’s Murals Link

Extra, Extra, Read All About It—In the Magoon Tribune!

Honors, Awards & Recognition

ABA Best Books Selection for Early Readers 2014
ALA Schneider Family Book Award 2019
Amazon Editors Pick Best Book 3-5, 6-8
Amazon Editors Best Children’s Book of the Year (So Far) 2024
Amazon Editors Top 20 Children’s Best Book of the Year (So Far) 2024
Apple Best eBook 2014
Bilby Award Australia 2007
Irma & James Black Award 2013
Bank Street Library Best Book of the Year Outstanding Merit 2014, 2019
Booklist Starred Review
Connecticut’s Nutmeg Award Nomination 2020-21
Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC) Choice selection 2017, 2018, 2021
Chicago Public Library Best Book 2012, 2014
Children’s Choice Book Awards finalist 2013
Christopher Award 2018
Crystal Kite Award 2011
Cybil Award Nominations
Dolly Parton Imagination Library Blue Ribbon Selection 2025
Eric Carle Museum Picture Book of Distinction 2012
GoodReads Choice Awards finalist for best picture book 2012
Huffington Post Best Picture Books 2014
Illinois Monarch Award Master List 2020
Indiana Young Hoosier Book Award Nomination 2020-21
Indiana Library Federation Read Aloud list 202
International Literacy Association/CBC Reading List selection 2016
Junior Library Guild Selections
Kids’ Indie Next List Pick 2012, 2023
Kirkus Best Books Best Read Aloud 2014
Kirkus Starred Reviews
Maryland’s Black Eyed Susan Nomination 2020-21 x 2
Massachusetts Must-Read Honors 2016, 2019, 2021
Minnesota Star of the North Nomination 2021
Mississippi Magnolia Award winner
National Museum of Wildlife Art Bull Bransom Award Nomination 2014
National Council of Teachers of English Children’s Literature (NCTE) Notable Children’s Book 2013
NEIBA Book of the Year 2019
Nerdie Award Nomination 2012
New York City Public Library top 100 Books for Reading & Sharing
New York Times #2 Bestseller 2018
North Carolina Children’s Book Award Nomination 2020
Oklahoma Book Award 2011
Pennsylvania Keystone to Reading Elementary Book Award
Pennsylvania Center for the Book’s Baker’s Dozen
Publisher’s Weekly Starred Reviews
Redbud Read-Aloud Award 2019
Scholastic Book Club Selections
Scholastic Parent & Child Best Book 2010
Swiss Golden Cowbell Switzerland 2019-2020
Society of Illustrators Original Art Show 2007 (x2), 2009, 2010 (x2), 2014 (x2), 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2023 (x2)
Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance Book Award Nomination
Storytelling World Resource Awards Honor Winner 2014
Texas Librarian Association 2×2 list 2016
Texas Bluebonnet Award Nomination 2008
Texas Little Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List Nomination 2022
Translated into 11 languages worldwide: Dutch, French, Farsi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Norwegian, Spanish, Vietnamese, Yue Chinese
Undie Award 2016
Vermont Red Clover Book Award Nomination 2019-2020
Washington State Children’s Choice Picture Book Award Nomination 2022
Wisconsin’s Golden Archer Award 2013

Media Kit

By clicking the link below you will be directed to a Google Docs Folder
where you can download author photos and cover images.

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