Brinton Turkle

Brinton Cassady Turkle (August 15, 1915 – October 9, 2003) was an author and illustrator of children's books including Thy Friend, Obadiah, a 1970 Caldecott Honor title. In addition to his books as both author and illustrator, Turkle illustrated as many as 100 titles for other authors. His work is known for its rich, colorful details and Quaker themes.

Early life and career Turkle was born on August 15, 1915, in Alliance, Ohio. Among Turkle's books is a series of Obadiah titles, which cover a Quaker family living on the island of Nantucket during the colonial period. Turkle also illustrated a wordless adaption of the Goldilocks story, called Deep in the Forest, in 1976.

Beliefs, later life, and death Turkle felt that his works differed from "the hypocrisy, materialism and brutality that so pervade our society. As my readers leave childhood behind, I hope that they will carry with them an appreciation for such alternatives as integrity, mutual respect, kindness and reverence for life. These alternatives are in my books and I pray that exposure to them will play a part in the construction of a better tomorrow."

On October 9, 2003, Turkle died at age 88. A collection of his work is held at the University of Connecticut Libraries. In 2016, Turkle work was featured in an exhibit at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.