"Belongs in every library," said School Library Journal.

Pirate historical painting

Well known for his dramatic and historically accurate illustrations, Michael is the illustrator of over sixty-five books and the author of six including Young Thomas Edison, that School Library Journal said, “Belongs in every library.” The Horn Book praised his work as “noteworthy—and handsome—examples of the illustrator as historian.” Michael’s Chapter Book, Elijah and George A Revolutionary Tale, is currently being developed into a Major Motion Picture by Metatron Productions LLC.

In 2013, he was selected for a Top Ten List of Great Author Visits by the Pennsylvania School Library Association. Michael has illustrated a commemorative stamp of Benjamin Franklin for The United States Postal Service, articles for Reader’s Digest, and Picture Books, Chapter Books, and Middle Grade Novels for numerous publishers including Scholastic, Farrar, Straus & Giroux, HarperCollins, Philomel, Puffin Books, McElderry Books, Henry Holt, Holiday House, Beechtree, Atheneum, Disney, and many others. He is the recipient of over fifty awards and nominations, received a Master’s Degree in Illustration from Syracuse University, and is a member of the Society of Illustrators in New York. He lives in Audubon, New Jersey, with his wife, Jane.

Selected Awards and Nominations:

Young Thomas Edison by Michael Dooling

Chosen as a Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People 2006 by the Children’s Book Council and National Council for the Social Studies.

Chosen for Maryland State’s Black-Eyed Susan Picture Book List

Selected as a Children’s Crown Award Nominee by National Christian School Association.

Starred Review School Library Journal

The Memory Coat by Elvira Woodruff 

The Carolyn Field Award (Pennsylvania School Library Association Award)

A Smithsonian Magazine Notable Book for Children, 1999

A CBC/NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People, 2000

A Selector’s Choice

Lewis and Clark and Me: A Dog’s Tale by Laurie Myers

The Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award 2004

Cochecho Reader’s Award 2004

IRA Teacher’s Choice List 2003

IRA Parent’s Choice List 2003

Mountain and Plains Booksellers Association 2002 Book Award Nominee

Texas Christian School’s Association of Children’s Crown Award Nominee 2005

Best Book of 2003 Anne Nixon Center for Children’s Literature

2005 Beverly Clearly Children’s Choice Award

Young Reader Award Winner Pennsylvania

Young Reader Award Honor Book Michigan

Nominated Young Reader Award Texas Bluebonnet

Nominated Young Reader Award Louisiana

Nominated Young Reader Award West Virginia

Nominated Young Reader Award Nevada

Nominated Young Reader Award Arizona

Nominated Young Reader Award Maryland

Nominated Young Reader Award Florida

Nominated Young Reader Award Oregon

The Amazing Life of Benjamin Franklin by James Cross Giblin

Chosen as an Orbis Pictus Honor Book

A New York Public Library Best Book of Year

A Horn Book Best Book of Year

Starred Review Booklist

Starred Review Horn Book

Starred Review School Library Journal

Mary Anning and the Sea Dragon by Jeannine Atkins

A NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Trade book, 2000

Thomas Jefferson: A Picture Book Biography by James Cross Giblin

A Booklist Editor’s Choice

An American Bookseller Pick of the Lists

The Boy Who Saved Cleveland by James Cross Giblin

Chosen for 2007 Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended List

Chosen for 2007 CCBC Choices List

Selected Best Book of Year List by Children’s Book Committee at Bank Street

Selected New Mexico Children’s Choice Award Master List (The Land of Enchantment Book Award) 2008-2009

Selected for Volunteer State Book Award Master Reading List, 2009-2010

Gift of the Magi and Other Stories by O.Henry

American Bookseller’s Pick of the Lists

Anne Hutchinson’s Way by Jeannine Atkins

Named one of the “Top Ten Religion Books for Youth” in Booklist

Included in the 2008 Amelia Bloomer Project Recommended Titles List

Selected for Bank Street College List of The Best Children’s Books of the Year

Walking to School by Eve Bunting

Named Editor’s Choice by Library Media Connection Magazine

George Washington: A Picture Book Biography by James Cross Giblin

A Notable Children’s Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies

A Book-of-the-Month Club selection

An American Bookseller Pick of the Lists

Starred Review Publisher’s Weekly

Lights on the River by Jane Resh Thomas

America’s Award for Children’s and Young Adult Book Literature/Commended Title 1994

Notable Children’s Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies

Starred Review Booklist

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