Imogen

A picture book biography of the iconic photographer Imogen Cunningham by National Book Award finalist Elizabeth Partridge.

Imogen Cunningham loved to observe the world. She noticed the colors in the woods outside her house and how light and shadows moved between the trees. She tried to capture this beauty on paper with pencils, but something was missing. One day she read about a woman in Paris who earned a living as a photographer, and she knew she was meant to do the same. With the support of her loving father, she then began her journey to become one of the most important photographers in America.

The life of iconic photographer Imogen Cunningham is brought vividly to life by National Book Award finalist Elizabeth Partridge, who also happens to be Cunningham’s granddaughter. With stunning illustrations by Caldecott Honor winner Yuko Shimizu, Imogen captures the passion of the creative process with a unique and intimate perspective.★ "Partridge's biography is artistic in itself, offering snapshots of key transitional moments in a long life." —BCCB, starred review

★ "Perfectly capture[s] Cunningham's indomitable spirit." —The Horn Book, starred review

★ “An artist’s joy for photography resounds in this absorbing picture book…the warmth-filled work emphasizes Cunningham’s childhood love of the outdoors and her close, supportive relationship with her father.” — Publisher’s Weekly, starred review

"A solidly told story about an accomplished artist's beginnings." —Kirkus Reviews

"Partridge's family stories about Cunningham as a child strengthen the narrative as well as readers' appreciation for this talented photographer. Meanwhile, the author’s childhood memories of her grandmother give readers an interesting perspective on Cunningham." —Booklist

Elizabeth Partridge is the author of Woody Guthrie: This Land was Made for You and Me, which was a National Book Award finalist, and John Lennon: All I Want Is the Truth, which won the Michael L. Printz Honor. Her other honors include the SCBWI Golden Kite Award, the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, and the Robert F. Sibert Medal. She lives in Oakland, California with her family.
Visit her at ElizabethPartridge.com and follow her on Instagram @Elizabeth.Partridge.

Yuko Shimizu is the illustrator of the Caldecott Honor-winning picture book The Cat Man of Aleppo. She is a two-time Hugo Award nominee, and has earned more than fifteen medals from the Society of Illustrators. Her work has appeared in many publications including TIME, The New Yorker, and The New York Times, and she has collaborated with the Smithsonian Museum and the Library of Congress. She lives in New York City.
Visit her at YukoArt.com and follow her on social media @YukoArt.