Jon Klassen named to the Order of Canada

Award-winning children’s author and illustrator Jon Klassen is among the 105 individuals to have been appointed to the Order of Canada on June 29.

A 2005 graduate of Sheridan’s Animation program, Klassen was called “one of the most remarkable illustrators working today” by former Globe and Mail books editor Mark Medley.

Within five years of launching his career as a children’s author and illustrator, he received the industry’s top awards and sold more than one million copies of his books. In 2013, he became the first Canadian to win the American Library Association’s prestigious Caldecott Medal for This is Not My Hat.  

The Caldecott Committee recognized Klassen once again in 2015 with an Honor for Sam & Dave Dig a Hole, which he illustrated.

Previously, Klassen worked for animation studios DreamWorks and LAIKA, contributing to feature films Coraline and Kung-Fu Panda. He turned to illustration full time following the success of his first illustrated book, Cats’ Night Out, which won a Canadian Governor General’s Award in 2010. 

Klassen’s most recent book, The Wolf, the Duck, and the Mouse, received the EB White Read-Aloud Picture Book Award in May. 

He credits Sheridan with giving him the resources to expand and refine his artistic skills.

“My Sheridan training gave me this amazing springboard to try out many things and be confident that when I deliver those ideas to an audience, I’ll be understood. It’s a great gift,” says Klassen.

“Sheridan is incredibly proud of Jon and his accomplishments,” says Mary Preece, President and Vice Chancellor of Sheridan. “It’s wonderful to see our graduates’ work recognized on both a national and international scale. Jon’s success is a testament to the versatility and skill of our alumni.”    

The Order of Canada is one of our country’s highest civilian honours. It was established in 1967, during Canada’s centennial year, to recognize outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation.