Floyd Cooper, acclaimed children's illustrator, dead at 65

He illustrated dozens of books and his work on Joyce Carol Thomas’ The Blacker the Berry brought him the Coretta Scott King Award in 2009 for achievement by a Black illustrator.

Floyd Cooper, an award-winning illustrator and author of children’s books whose mission to offer candid and positive images of Black history included subjects ranging from Frederick Douglass and the civil rights movement to Venus and Serena Williams, has died. He was 65. Author Carole Boston Weatherford, whose Becoming Billie Holiday and Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre were illustrated by Cooper, told The Associated Press in an email that he died early on Friday after being ill with cancer for several months. She did not immediately provide further details. “His cinematic illustrations brought stories to life and held readers close,” Weatherford said. “A devoted family man and genuine friend, Floyd was a gifted illustrator and truth-teller. His legacy will continue to enlighten and to inspire for generations to come.”