Denise K. Fleming (January 31, 1950) is an American creator of children's picture books. She was born in Toledo, Ohio. She graduated in illustration (after a change from advertising design) from Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids, Michigan.[1]
Her first book, In the Tall, Tall Grass, was published by Henry Holt and Company in 1991. According to one library summary, "Rhymed text (crunch, munch, caterpillars lunch) presents a toddler's view of creatures found in the grass from lunchtime till nightfall, such as bees, ants, and moles."[2] It was critically well received[3] and its sequel, In the Small, Small Pond (Holt, 1993), was a runner-up for the 1994 Caldecott Medal.[4]
Twenty years later, In the Small, Small Pond was runner-up for the inaugural, 2013 Phoenix Picture Book Award. The Phoenix Awards recognize the best children's books published twenty years earlier that did not win major contemporary awards.[5]
Her other books include The Cow Who Clucked, The First Day of Winter, Underground, and 5 Little Ducks.
underGROUND is a Junior Library Guild book.[6]
Year | Title | Award/Honor | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
1994 | In the Small, Small Pond | Caldecott Medal | Runner-up | [4][7][8] |
1998 | Time to Sleep | Charlotte Zolotow Award | Commended | [9] |
1999 | Mama Cat Has Three Kittens | Charlotte Zolotow Award | Commended | [9] |
2003 | Alphabet Under Construction | ALSC Notable Children's Books | Selection | [10][11] |
2004 | Buster | Charlotte Zolotow Award | Commended | [9] |
2013 | In the Small, Small Pond | Phoenix Picture Book Award | Runner-up | |
2013 | underGROUND | Charlotte Zolotow Award | Commended | [9][6] |