S.D. Nelson, of Norse and American Indian heritage, is an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. He is the award winning author and illustrator of celebrated books, including “Black Elk’s Vision,” “The Star People,” and “Crazy Horse and Custer: Born Enemies.” His newest picture books are "The Animals Speak" and "Grandma's Tipi." His vibrant acrylic paintings, featured in national museums, blend modern artistry with traditional Lakota imagery.
Awards: American Indian Library Association - Honor Book 2016; Texas Bluebonnet Master List Award 2011; Finalist – Western Writers of America 2005, 2011, 2016; Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choices 2016; Notable Book for a Global Society - CLRSIG 2016; Notable Social Studies 2016- NCSS; American Library Association Notable Book Award 2001, 2011; GRAMMY AWARD Nomination - Best Native American Album – jacket 2006; Spur Award – Western Writers of America 2004, 2006; *Starred Review - Booklist 2010, 2012,2014; *Starred Review – Kirkus Reviews 2000, 2012; Finalist – Western Writers of America 2005, 2011; Parents’ Choice Award 2000; Book of Merit – The Five Owls Review; *Starred Review – School Library Journal 2010, 2012; Aesop Accolade 2012; Winner: Best of Show, Painting 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Inter-Tribal Ceremonial - Gallup, NM 1997; Feature Artist – Night Visions; Book for a Global Society Award – International Reading Association; Booklist: Top 10 Religion/Spirituality Books For Children- Black Elk’s Vision 2011; Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award; Gold Honor - California Reading Association 2010; Society of Illustrators Annual Children’s Book Exhibition; Teachers’ Choice Award – International Reading Association 2002; Most Outstanding Children’s Book - Mom’s Choice Awards 2008; Parents’ Choice Gold Award 2002; Choices - Cooperative Children’s Book Center 2011, 2013; Judy Goddard Award – AZ Library Association 2008; Aesop Accolade – American Folklore Society 2008; Carter G. Woodson Award 2009; Eureka Gold Award 2010; Orbis Pictus Recommended Book – NCTE 2011; Reading Magic Award – Parenting Magazine 2000; Fargo North High School Hall of Fame 2012, Silver Medal - Moonbeam Book Award 2012; NCTE 2013 Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts; Children’s Literary Classics Award-Silver 2013; Gelett Burgess Children’s Book Award 2013; Silver Medal, Picture Book Early Reader—Literary Classics Book Awards 2013
Communities: Indigenous or Native American, He is an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and his Lakota name is Maȟpíya Kiny’An, or Flying Cloud.
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