8:10 am today

Controlled mess with celebrated illustrator Sydney Smith

From Saturday Morning, 8:10 am today

Photo: Steve Farmer

In the world of children's literature, the Hans Christian Andersen Award is the highest international distinction awarded to authors and illustrators of children's books.

The award recognises lifelong achievement and is given to someone whose complete works have made an important, lasting contribution to children's literature.

Canadian illustrator Sydney Smith is one of those people.

He won the award biennial award for his emotive, often wordless books, which express complex, and at times unsettling emotions, explored in a gentle way while respecting the reader's intelligence, regardless of whether that reader is a parent or a kid.

He joins the show to talk about his work.

A collection of children's books illustrated by Sydney Smith. (PHOTO: Sydney Smith)

'Sidewalk Flowers' written by JonArno Lawson, illustrated by Sydney Smith. Groundwood Books, 2015 (PHOTO: Sydney Smith)

Pages from 'Sidewalk Flowers' written by JonArno Lawson, illustrated by Sydney Smith. Groundwood Books, 2015 (PHOTO: Sydney Smith)

A page from 'Town Is by the Sea' written by Joanne Schwartz, illustrated by Sydney Smith. (PHOTO: Sydney Smith)

'Do You Remember?' written and illustrated by Sydney Smith. (PHOTO: Sydney Smith)

An excerpt from 'I Talk Like A River' written by Jordan Scott, illustrated by Sydney Smith. (PHOTO: Sydney Smith)

'Small in the City' written and illustrated Sydney Smith. (PHOTO: Sydney Smith)