Adam Rex


Adam Michael Rex is an American illustrator and author of children's books from Tucson, Arizona.
WWW Official Site

Career

Adam Rex received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Arizona. He has contributed illustrations to Magic: The Gathering and other fantasy art and has illustrated several children's books. Adam has noted that his history with fantasy drawings initially hurt his entry into children's books. His first books, Tree-Ring Circus and Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich, were published in 2006. Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich went on to become a New York Times best seller.
His first foray into illustration of children's books, 2003's The Dirty Cowboy, written by Amy Timberlake, received positive reviews, including from The Capital Times, which described Rex's work as "gorgeous... This is his first book, but you wouldn't know it from looking. His artwork has real resonance." The Santa Fe New Mexican wrote, "The consummate skill of Rex's illustrations combines with wit and knowledge of the physical and emotional terrain." The book, which is about a cowboy taking a bath, was banned at W.C. Andrews Elementary School in Texas in 2006, and by the Annville-Cleona School District in Pennsylvania in 2012. The ACLU report on the Texas incident noted that the "Principal did not want this book in the library."
His illustrations of the book The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity, written by Mac Barnett, were reviewed favorably by The Gazette's critic, noting "a lively set of endpapers."
DreamWorks Animation adapted The True Meaning of Smekday into the animated feature film Home, starring Rihanna and Jim Parsons.
Adam Rex cites Douglas Adams as his biggest influence as a writer.

Novels

The True Meaning of Smekday, illustratedFat Vampire: A Never Coming of Age Story – "secondary school" material Cold Cereal Saga
  1. Cold Cereal
  2. Unlucky Charms
  3. Champions of Breakfast Smek for President – sequel to The True Meaning of Smekday
  • ''School's First Day of School''

As illustrator only

The Dirty Cowboy, written by Amy Timberlake Lucy Rose: Here's the Thing About Me, Katy Kelly – Lucy Rose novels by Katy Kelly, books 1–3; book 4 illus. by Peter Ferguson Ste-e-e-e-eamboat a-Comin'!, Jill Esbaum Lucy Rose: Big on Plans, Katy Kelly Lucy Rose: Busy Like You Can't Believe, Katy Kelly Small Beauties: The Journey of Darcy Heart O'Hara, Elvira Woodruff Billy Twitters and His Blue Whale Problem, Mac Barnett Guess Again!, Mac Barnett
  1. The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity
  2. The Ghostwriter Secret
  3. It Happened on a Train Manners Mash-up: a goofy guide to good behavior, collaboration by Tedd Arnold, et al. – "Each page is illustrated by a different artist." Chloe and the Lion, Mac Barnett Chu's Day, Neil Gaiman How This Book Was Made, Mac Barnett

As writer and illustrator

Tree-Ring Circus Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich, poetryPssst! Frankenstein Takes the Cake, poetryStar Wars: Are You Scared, Darth Vader?
  • ''On Account of the Gum''

Role-playing games

Changeling: The Dreaming The Autumn People Interior ArtistImmortal Eyes: Shadows on the Hill Interior ArtistImmortal Eyes: Court of All Kings Interior ArtistChangeling Players Guide Interior ArtistKithbook: Nockers Interior ArtistIsle of the Mighty Cover ArtistChangeling: The Dreaming, 2nd Ed. Interior ArtistKingdom of Willows Cover Artist
Planescape Something Wild Interior ArtistOn Hallowed Ground Interior ArtistHellbound: The Blood War Interior ArtistDoors to the Unknown Interior ArtistA Guide to the Astral Plane Interior ArtistThe Great Modron March Interior ArtistFaces of Evil: The Fiends Interior ArtistDead Gods Interior ArtistMonstrous Compendium Planescape Appendix III Interior ArtistThe Inner Planes Interior ArtistFaction War Interior ArtistA Guide to the Ethereal Plane Interior Artist
Dungeons & Dragons, 3rd edition Monster Manual Interior ArtistMonsters of Faerûn Interior ArtistLords of Darkness Interior ArtistSilver Marches Interior ArtistUnapproachable East Interior ArtistRaces of Faerûn Interior ArtistRaces of Stone Cover ArtistMonster Manual III Interior ArtistRaces of the Wild Cover Artist
OtherA Medieval Tapestry: Personalities of Mythic Europe Atlas Games, Cover ArtistGuide to the Sabbat White Wolf, Interior ArtistGuide to the Camarilla White Wolf, Interior ArtistDark•Matter Campaign Setting Wizards of the Coast, Interior ArtistWheel of Time Roleplaying Game Wizards of the Coast, Interior ArtistProphecies of the Dragon Wizards of the Coast, Interior ArtistCall of Cthulhu Roleplaying Game Wizards of the Coast, Interior Artist

Awards