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Reading Rockets offers a wealth of reading strategies, lessons, and activities designed to help young children learn how to read and read better. Our reading resources assist parents, teachers, and other educators in working with struggling readers who require additional help in reading fundamentals and comprehension skills development.

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A video interview with

Jerry Pinkney

Jerry Pinkney

Jerry Pinkney's detailed watercolor illustrations have won five Coretta Scott King Awards and five Caldecott Honor Medals. In this exclusive video interview with Reading Rockets, Jerry Pinkney talks about growing up as a slow reader and the early encouragement he received as a young artist.

Click on the links below§ to watch this interview online, or read the interview transcript. You can also read a short biography of Jerry Pinkney or see a selected list of his children's books.

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  • Inspiration from a cartoonist (2:00)

    When cartoonist John Liney noticed twelve-year-old Jerry Pinkney drawing at the newsstand, he gave the young artist a memorable tour of his studio.

  • Lots of little pushes (:90)

    Jerry Pinkney grew up with the sense that people saw artistic talent in him. He always found support from those who believed in his abilities.

  • Children don't do "bad" art (2:30)

    Jerry Pinkney and his wife introduced their children to many art forms and gave them the freedom to gravitate toward their favorites.

  • Clearing high hurdles (2:00)

    Jerry Pinkney grew up with dyslexia. He had trouble reading and spelling, but became recognized as the class artist early on. After graduating from elementary school with honors, he went on to write stories and interpret language as an adult.

  • Finding the gift in it (2:00)

    Being a slow reader has its advantages, Jerry Pinkney says with a smile. Whereas the fast reader misses a lot of detail, he is able to slowly digest the story and take it all in.

§ To play this clip, you'll need a copy of the free RealOne Player. Most computers already have it installed, or you can download it now.

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