Prof. McDonald Illustrates Coming of an Age Book with Indian Creek Poet

Mercedes McDonald's latest illustrated book, For a Girl Becoming, is a rare publishing gem: an illustrated picture book with appeal to teen audiences. Although it is an all-ages book according to Joy Harjo, the poet who wrote the book, very few picture books in today's market address readers in their teens. McDonald handled the illustrations with elegance and an eye for lively earth tones, reminiscent of the Indian Creek tradition to which Harjo belongs. The Los Angeles Examiner published a review and interview of the author, where Harjo discusses her working relationship with McDonald. We're fortunate to have McDonald among our faculty this semester as she teaches one of our Traditional Illustration classes.