Roger Mello presented in pictures and books

Brazilian children’s literature has experienced a surge in its development in the past decades. One of its most creative and versatile practitioners has been author and illustrator Roger Mello, born in 1965. He was the first Brazilian illustrator to be named a finalist for the internationally prestigious Hans Christian Anderson Award in 2010. Mello, who is also active in the fields of film, theatre, and design, has published more than 100 books for children. His artistic style, as well as the subjects and motifs of his stories, finds its roots in the Brazilian culture--a rich combination of indigenous, European, and African influences. The colors in his pictures are characteristically warm and glowing. Roger Mello cannot be tied down to a particular style; rather, he experiments constantly with new techniques. In the first exhibit of this artist’s work outside of Brazil, the International Youth Library offers the opportunity to get to know his original art and books firsthand.