Hi - I'm John Himmelman and I write and illustrate books - mostly for kids, some for adults. Some of the art i've done for other projects end up on T-shirts and coffee cups ... I also give talks on nature. Lot's of info on here! - links abound! If you are a publisher, I can be contacted via Herman Agency. Everyone else, feel free to reach out - my email's in the header. Thank you for stopping by!
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The Boy Who Lived in a Shell;
Snippets for Wandering Minds
Margaret Ferguson Books/Holiday House
KIRKUS STARRED REVIEW!
"Overflowing with oomph and pizzazz, this collection will take up space in children's minds for years to come."
"Himmelman created an entire world that's both dreamy and hilarious- it feels like concentrated childhood" - Chris Harris, NY Times Bestselling author.
"...Bright and fanciful illustrations combine lovely pen-and-ink drawings with bright touches of color that delightfully capture the whimsy of each character... a combination of humorous poetry and thoughtful storytelling that will engage readers' fancies and should enjoy wide appeal among young readers, especially those who enjoy the works of Shel Silverstein and Douglas Florian. VERDICT A recommended addition to library and classroom collections" — School Library Journal
"[A] dreamy collection."—Publishers Weekly
"Are these poems? Stories? The random thoughts of a devilshly playful mind?...the answers are yes, yes, and yes. - Bob Raczka, author of several poetry books.
John Himmelman's
BOOKS ART PROGRAMS
Coming Spring '25
Coming Spring '25
PREORDER DISCOUNT "YELLOW IS A BANANA" (Abrams 10/7/25)
Are bananas yellow . . . or is yellow a banana? Learn all about yellow—and other colorful things—in this rollicking picture book from John Himmelman. That yellow is a banana. No, a banana is yellow. These purples are grapes. No, these grapes are purple! This orange is a pumpkin. No, that pumpkin is orange! And this orange is . . . orange?
With two charming siblings and a fresh, limited palette that allows each featured color to really shine, young readers will learn as they laugh in this side-splittingly funny, unique picture book.
Approaching the concept of color, and the creative ways in which young children assign names to things in the world around them, with a fun, playful tone, this picture book is perfect for group or individual read-aloud story times.
Killingworth, CT USA
My wife Betsy and I turned an 1860 building into an art studio! Visit Promethea Arts - click on the moth.
