Doug Salati

Doug Salati (born 1985) is an American author and illustrator of children's picture books. Salati is the creator of the picture book Hot Dog, a New York Times bestseller and recipient of the 2023 Randolph Caldecott Medal and Ezra Jack Keats Award.

Background

Early life Doug Salati was born in 1985 in Oneida, New York, to a family that encouraged his creative pursuits from a young age. Growing up, he showed a keen interest in art and illustration, spending hours drawing and sketching. As a child, Salati was fascinated by the world of children's books and was especially drawn to the works of iconic illustrators like Maurice Sendak and Tomie dePaola. He spent countless hours poring over their books, studying their techniques and dreaming of one day becoming an illustrator himself. Salati's parents, recognizing his passion and talent, encouraged him to pursue his dreams. They enrolled him in art classes and provided him with endless supplies of paper, pencils, and paints.

As he grew older, Salati's interest in illustration only deepened. He began to explore different mediums and techniques, experimenting with watercolors, ink, and digital art. He also developed a love for swimming, becoming a competitive swimmer in his teenage years.

After high school, Salati went on to study illustration at the Rochester Institute of Technology, where he honed his skills and developed his unique style. He also continued to swim competitively, balancing his artistic pursuits with his athletic passions. Upon graduating from RIT, Salati moved to New York City to pursue a Master of Fine Arts degree in Illustration as Visual Essay at the School of Visual Arts. It was during this time that he met his mentor, Tomie dePaola, who would become a significant influence on his work.

The first book Doug Salati illustrated was In a Small Kingdom by dePaola, and his second, Lawrence in the Fall by his partner, Matthew Farina, was an Ezra Jack Keats Illustrator Award Honoree, a Society of Illustrators Original Art Show selection and Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection.

Salati lives and works in New York City. He works in Gowanus, Brooklyn with other picture book illustrators, including Sophie Blackall, Brian Floca, Rowboat Watkins.

Influences Salati's work is influenced by a range of sources, including Maurice Sendak, whose ability to create fantastical worlds and characters that are both whimsical and grounded in reality has been a significant inspiration. He also draws inspiration from Tomie dePaola, who taught him the importance of simplicity and clarity in illustration, and whose ability to convey complex emotions and stories through simple yet powerful images has been a lasting influence. He is also inspired by classic children's literature, such as the works of Beatrix Potter and A.A. Milne, which he admires for their timeless quality and ability to resonate with readers of all ages. He is drawn to folk art and naive art, which he appreciates for their simplicity, honesty, and emotional directness.

Nature is another significant influence on Salati's work, as he often incorporates elements of the natural world into his illustrations to convey themes and emotions. His own personal experiences and emotions also play a role in shaping his work, as he draws on his own feelings and experiences to create authentic and relatable characters and stories.

Awards Randolph Caldecott Medal for Hot Dog Ezra Jack Keats Book Award for Hot Dog

List of works

Illustrator

In a Small Kingdom (by Tomie dePaola, 2018) Lawrence in the Fall (by Matthew Farina, 2019) Pip and Zip (by Elana Arnold, 2021) The Remarkable Rescue at Milkweed Meadow (by Elaine Dimopoulos, 2023) The Perilous Performance at Milkweed Meadow (by Elaine Dimopoulos, 2024) Words with Wings and Magic Things (by Matthew Burgess, 2025)

Author and illustrator

Hot Dog (by Doug Salati, 2022)