Bruce Wood

Categories: Children's Books

Children’s book illustrator Bruce Wood, creator of such popular books as Alphabet Adventure (2001), Alphabet Mystery (2003), and Alphabet Rescue (2006) died last month at the young age of 34.

Wood is the son of author/illustrator team Audrey and Don Wood. As a child, he posed for his father as he created characters in several best-selling books, including Caldecott honor winner, King Bidgood’s in the Bathtub (2005). 

He collaborated with his mother on the three Alphabet books. The pair also achieved great success with two other “concept” books, Ten Little Fish (2004) and The Deep Blue Sea (2007.)

Wood also created the art for Space Elf Sam (1998), the first children’s book featuring three-dimensional computer art. Some traditionalists argued the computer was not a legitimate medium for art. Wood disagreed, stating, “I'm using a medium that allows me to combine all the things I enjoy the most. When designing on a computer, I use elements of drama, art, photography, drawing, painting, and sculpture. The computer can be a very creative tool.”

Wood is survived by his wife, Nicoa Wood, and his three-year old daughter, Manhattan.