Paul O. Zelinsky (born 1953) is an American illustrator and writer best known for illustrating children's picture books. He won the 1998 Caldecott Medal for U.S. picture book illustration, recognizing Rapunzel. His most popular work is The Wheels on the Bus, a best-selling movable book. Zelinsky had been one Caldecott runner-up in 1985, 1987, and 1995, the latter for Swamp Angel by Anne Isaacs (Dutton, 1994). Twenty years later, they were joint runners-up for the Phoenix Picture Book Award from the Children's Literature Association, which annually recognizes the best picture book that did not win a major award 20 years earlier. "Books are considered not only for the quality of their illustrations, but for the way pictures and text work together."

Illus by Paul O. Zelinsky.

In his letters to his favorite author, ten-year-old Leigh reveals his problems in coping with his parents' divorce, being the new boy in school, and generally finding his own place in the world.

910L,Lexile.

Reading Counts RC,3-5,4.7,5.0,2948.

3.0,MG,24.,Accelerated Reader AR,4.9.

Accelerated Reader,MG,4.9,3.0,Kilgore Intermediate.

Newbery Medal, 1984

SACFinal081324