2. Born: February 10, 1955 in Toronto, Ontario Currently lives in Port Perry Ontario with her husband, Robert Courtice, their son, and cat Studied Illustration at Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario Libr 271 Katherine Fraley

3. Background Brenda started her illustration career as a freelancer in educational publishing She signed her first contract with Kids Can Press in 1983 for a story called Christopher and the Dream Dragon written by Allen Morgan In 1985 Brenda was offered to illustrate Franklin in the Dark, written by Paulette Bourgeois. The book received rave reviews and a series of Franklin books about the popular character was developed Libr 271 Katherine Fraley

4. Franklin Series Brenda has illustrated more than 30 Franklin titles and numerous activity books for the series. Libr 271 Katherine Fraley

5. In 1997 the first animated episode of Franklin was televised on Nickelodeon. The series was modeled after the popular character created by Brenda Clark and Paulette Bourgeois. Brenda also helped to launch a series of Franklin spin-off books based on the Nickelodeon series. Libr 271 Katherine Fraley

6. Awards 1989 IODE Book Award Toronto Chapter for Little Fingerling 2000 Children’s Choices, International Reading Association for Franklin’s Class Trip 2002 International Reading Association Young Adult Choices, shortlist for Franklin & Harriet 2003 International Reading Association Young Adult Choices, shortlist for Franklin Says I Love You Libr 271 Katherine Fraley

7. Technique and Style Brenda uses transparent and opaque watercolors Libr 271 Katherine Fraley

8. Franklin in the Dark Libr 271 Katherine Fraley

9. References Canadian Children Book Centre. (1999). Storymakers illustrating children’s books: 72 artists and illustrators talk about their work. Ontario: Pembroke Publishers Limited. Kids Can Press. Brenda Clark, illustrotor. Retrieved from http://www.kidscanpress.com/US/CreatorDetails.aspx ?cid=34 on February 24 2010. http://www.kidscanpress.com/US/CreatorDetails.aspx ?cid=34 White L. (2002) Dream job: Brenda Clark bringing books to life. Toronto Sun. Toronto: Sun Media. Libr 271 Katherine Fraley