# Adam Rex > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Adam_Rex > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Adam_Rex.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Rex > Source revision: 1326793184 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{short description|American children's illustrator and writer (born 1973)}} {{Infobox writer | name = Adam Rex | image = Adam Rex 2023 Texas Book Festival.jpg | caption = Rex at the 2023 [Texas Book Festival](/source/Texas_Book_Festival) | alt = Headshot of Adam Rex with short black and gray hair and beard stubble wearing glasses and a black shirt looking at camera | birth_name = Adam Michael Rex | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1973|5|16|mf=y}} | birth_place= United States | death_date = | death_place= | occupation = Author, illustrator | period = | genre = [Role-playing games](/source/Role-playing_games), [children's books](/source/children's_books) | movement = | notable_works= | website = {{URL|adamrex.com}} | children = 1{{cite tweet|number=1388889877022875649|user=MrAdamRex|title=Oh, thanks! I am married, and have a son.|date=May 3, 2021}} }} '''Adam Michael Rex'''{{cite tweet|number=973960989484892160|user=MrAdamRex|title=@WayzataKLMC @Fangbone It happens a lot. Michael is even my middle name.|date=14 March 2018}} (born May 16, 1973){{cite tweet|number=976264201508306944|user=MrAdamRex|title=@LebanhcsRennat It is|date=21 March 2018}} is an American [illustrator](/source/illustrator) and author of [children's books](/source/Children's_literature) from [Tucson, Arizona](/source/Tucson%2C_Arizona). == Career == Adam Rex received a [Bachelor of Fine Arts](/source/Bachelor_of_Fine_Arts) from the [University of Arizona](/source/University_of_Arizona).[http://www.ironicsans.com/2006/09/interview_with_adam_rex.html Ironic Sans: Interview with Adam Rex, illustrator and author of "Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich"] He has contributed illustrations to ''[Magic: The Gathering](/source/Magic%3A_The_Gathering)'' and other [fantasy](/source/fantasy) art{{cite web|url=http://www.pen-paper.net/rpgdb.php?op=showcreator&creatorid=324|archive-date=2007-09-30|title=Adam Rex :: Pen & Paper RPG Database|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930181611/http://www.pen-paper.net/rpgdb.php?op=showcreator&creatorid=324|access-date=2007-01-09}} and has illustrated several children's books. Adam has noted that his history with fantasy drawings initially hurt his entry into children's books.{{cite web|url=http://www.harcourtbooks.com/Frankenstein/interview.asp |title=Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich by Adam Rex - Interview - Harcourt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061220235653/http://www.harcourtbooks.com/Frankenstein/interview.asp |archive-date=December 20, 2006 }} His first books, ''Tree-Ring Circus'' and ''Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich'', were published in 2006. ''Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich'' went on to become a [''New York Times'' best seller](/source/New_York_Times_Best_Seller_list).{{Cite news |date=2008-10-11 |title=Monster Management (Published 2008) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/12/books/review/Cowles-t.html |access-date=2025-08-28 |language=en}} His first foray into illustration of children's books, 2003's ''The Dirty Cowboy'', written by Amy Timberlake, received positive reviews, including from ''[The Capital Times](/source/The_Capital_Times)'', which described Rex's work as "gorgeous... This is his first book, but you wouldn't know it from looking. His artwork has real resonance."Schroeder, Heather Lee (August 15, 2003). "Even adults will hoot at 'Cowboy'", ''[The Capital Times](/source/The_Capital_Times)'', p. A9. ''[The Santa Fe New Mexican](/source/The_Santa_Fe_New_Mexican)'' wrote, "The consummate skill of Rex's illustrations combines with wit and knowledge of the physical and emotional terrain."Harrelson, Barbara (September 7, 2003). "Drawings boost hilarious story about a cowboy's bath", ''[The Santa Fe New Mexican](/source/The_Santa_Fe_New_Mexican)'', p. F2. The book, which is about a cowboy taking a bath, was banned at W.C. Andrews Elementary School in Texas in 2006,{{Cite web |url=http://www.aclutx.org/files/2006%20Banned%20Books%20Report.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2007-01-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928080731/http://www.aclutx.org/files/2006%20Banned%20Books%20Report.pdf |archive-date=2007-09-28 |url-status=dead }} and by the Annville-Cleona School District in Pennsylvania in 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.ldnews.com/ci_20441341/c-too-dirty |title=A-C: Too dirty |publisher=Lebanon Daily News |date=2012-04-20 |access-date=2012-04-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430095158/http://www.ldnews.com/ci_20441341/c-too-dirty |archive-date=2012-04-30 }} The ACLU report on the Texas incident noted that the "Principal did not want this book in the library." His illustrations of the book ''The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity'', written by [Mac Barnett](/source/Mac_Barnett), were reviewed favorably by ''[The Gazette](/source/The_Gazette_(Montreal))'''s critic, noting "a lively set of endpapers."Goedhart, Bernie (June 12, 2010). "For the beach, the car or a rainy day: Once school is out, there's time to read for pure pleasure", ''[The Gazette](/source/The_Gazette_(Montreal))'', p. J8. [DreamWorks Animation](/source/DreamWorks_Animation) adapted ''[The True Meaning of Smekday](/source/The_True_Meaning_of_Smekday)'' into the animated feature film ''[Home](/source/Home_(2015_film))'' (2015), starring [Rihanna](/source/Rihanna) and [Jim Parsons](/source/Jim_Parsons).{{cite news|title=Rihanna, Parsons lead 'Smekday' vocal cast|url=http://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/Movies/2012/06/20/Rihanna-Parsons-lead-Smekday-vocal-cast/UPI-76081340230152/|access-date=June 16, 2013|newspaper=UPI.com|date=June 20, 2012}} Adam Rex cites [Douglas Adams](/source/Douglas_Adams) (author of ''[The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy](/source/The_Hitchhiker's_Guide_to_the_Galaxy)'') as his biggest influence as a writer.{{cite tweet|number=976260992962199552|user=MrAdamRex|title=@LebanhcsRennat Probably Douglas Adams more than anyone else!|date=21 March 2018}} == Bibliography == === Novels === * ''[The True Meaning of Smekday](/source/The_True_Meaning_of_Smekday)'' ([Hyperion Books](/source/Hachette_Books), Oct 2, 2007), illustrated * ''Fat Vampire: A Never Coming of Age Story'' (Balzer + Bray/[HarperCollins](/source/HarperCollins), Jul 27, 2010) – "secondary (senior high) school" material {{OCLC|457152370}} * ''Cold Cereal Saga'' (published by Balzer + Bray) # ''Cold Cereal'' (Feb 7, 2012) # ''Unlucky Charms'' (Feb 5, 2013) # ''Champions of Breakfast'' (Feb 11, 2014) * ''Smek for President'' (Hyperion, Feb 10, 2015) {{OCLC|876833401}} – sequel to ''The True Meaning of Smekday'' *''School's First Day of School'' (with [Christian Robinson](/source/Christian_Robinson)) === As illustrator only === * ''The Dirty Cowboy'', written by Amy Timberlake ([Farrar, Straus and Giroux](/source/Farrar%2C_Straus_and_Giroux), Aug 8, 2003) * ''Lucy Rose: Here's the Thing About Me'', Katy Kelly ([Delacorte Books for Young Readers](/source/Delacorte_Books_for_Young_Readers), Sep 14, 2004) – Lucy Rose novels by Katy Kelly, books 1–3; book 4 (2007) illus. by Peter Ferguson {{OCLC|74963738}} * ''Ste-e-e-e-eamboat a-Comin'!'', Jill Esbaum (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Mar 24, 2005) * ''Lucy Rose: Big on Plans'', Katy Kelly (Delacorte, Jun 14, 2005) * ''Lucy Rose: Busy Like You Can't Believe'', Katy Kelly (Delacorte, Sep 12, 2006) * ''Small Beauties: The Journey of Darcy Heart O'Hara'', [Elvira Woodruff](/source/Elvira_Woodruff) ([Knopf Books for Young Readers](/source/Knopf_Books_for_Young_Readers), Sep 12, 2006) * ''Billy Twitters and His Blue Whale Problem'', [Mac Barnett](/source/Mac_Barnett) (Hyperion, Jun 23, 2009) * ''Guess Again!'', Mac Barnett ([Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing](/source/Simon_%26_Schuster_Children's_Publishing), Sep 15, 2009) * Brixton Brothers novels by Mac Barnett, published by Simon & Schuster Children's – books 1–3; book 4 (2012) illus. by Matthew Myers {{OCLC|827714401}} # ''The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity'' (Oct 6, 2009) # ''The Ghostwriter Secret'' (Oct 5, 2010) # ''It Happened on a Train'' (Oct 4, 2011) * ''Manners Mash-up: a goofy guide to good behavior'', collaboration by Tedd Arnold, et al. ([Dial Press](/source/Dial_Press), 2011) – "Each page is illustrated by a different artist." {{OCLC|535490588}} * ''Chloe and the Lion'', Mac Barnett (Hyperion, 2012) * ''Chu's Day'', [Neil Gaiman](/source/Neil_Gaiman) (HarperCollins, Jan 8, 2013) * ''How This Book Was Made'', Mac Barnett (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, Sept 6, 2016) === As writer and illustrator === * ''Tree-Ring Circus'' ([Harcourt Children's Books](/source/Harcourt_Children's_Books), Jun 1, 2006) * ''Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich'' (Harcourt, Sep 1, 2006), poetry * ''Pssst!'' (Harcourt, Sep 1, 2007) * ''Frankenstein Takes the Cake'' (Harcourt, Sep 1, 2008), poetry * ''[Star Wars](/source/Star_Wars): Are You Scared, [Darth Vader](/source/Darth_Vader)?'' ([Disney-Lucasfilm Press](/source/Disney-Lucasfilm_Press), 2018) * ''On Account of the Gum'' (Chronicle Books, October 6, 2020) ===Role-playing games=== ''Changeling: The Dreaming'' (White Wolf) * ''The Autumn People'' (1995) Interior Artist * ''[Immortal Eyes: Shadows on the Hill](/source/Immortal_Eyes%3A_Shadows_on_the_Hill)'' (1996) Interior Artist * ''Immortal Eyes: Court of All Kings'' (1996) Interior Artist * ''Changeling Players Guide'' (1996) Interior Artist * ''Kithbook: Nockers'' (1997) Interior Artist * ''Isle of the Mighty'' (1997) Cover Artist * ''Changeling: The Dreaming'', 2nd Ed. (1997) Interior Artist * ''Kingdom of Willows'' (1998) Cover Artist Planescape (TSR) * ''[Something Wild](/source/Something_Wild_(module))'' (1996) Interior Artist * ''[On Hallowed Ground](/source/On_Hallowed_Ground)'' (1996) Interior Artist * ''[Hellbound: The Blood War](/source/Hellbound%3A_The_Blood_War)'' (1996) Interior Artist * ''[Doors to the Unknown](/source/Doors_to_the_Unknown)'' (1996) Interior Artist * ''[A Guide to the Astral Plane](/source/A_Guide_to_the_Astral_Plane)'' (1996) Interior Artist * ''The Great Modron March'' (1997) Interior Artist * ''Faces of Evil: The Fiends'' (1997) Interior Artist * ''[Dead Gods](/source/Dead_Gods)'' (1997) Interior Artist * ''[Monstrous Compendium Planescape Appendix III](/source/Monstrous_Compendium)'' (1998) Interior Artist * ''The Inner Planes'' (1998) Interior Artist * ''[Faction War](/source/The_Faction_War)'' (1998) Interior Artist * ''A Guide to the Ethereal Plane'' (1998) Interior Artist ''Dungeons & Dragons'', 3rd edition (Wizards of the Coast) * ''[Monster Manual](/source/Monster_Manual)'' (2000) Interior Artist * ''[Monsters of Faerûn](/source/Monsters_of_Faer%C3%BBn)'' (Forgotten Realms) (2001) Interior Artist * ''[Lords of Darkness](/source/Lords_of_Darkness)'' (Forgotten Realms) (2001) Interior Artist * ''[Silver Marches](/source/Silver_Marches_(accessory))'' (Forgotten Realms) (2002) Interior Artist * ''[Unapproachable East](/source/Unapproachable_East_(supplement))'' (Forgotten Realms) (2003) Interior Artist * ''[Races of Faerûn](/source/Races_of_Faer%C3%BBn)'' (Forgotten Realms) (2003) Interior Artist * ''[Races of Stone](/source/Races_of_Stone)'' (2004) Cover Artist * ''[Monster Manual III](/source/Monster_Manual_III)'' (2004) Interior Artist * ''[Races of the Wild](/source/Races_of_the_Wild)'' (2005) Cover Artist Other * ''A Medieval Tapestry: Personalities of Mythic Europe'' (Ars Magica) (1997) Atlas Games, Cover Artist * ''[Guide to the Sabbat](/source/Guide_to_the_Sabbat)'' (Vampire: The Masquerade) (1999) White Wolf, Interior Artist * ''Guide to the Camarilla'' (Vampire: The Masquerade) (1999) White Wolf, Interior Artist * ''Dark•Matter Campaign Setting'' (1999) Wizards of the Coast, Interior Artist * ''Wheel of Time Roleplaying Game'' (2001) Wizards of the Coast, Interior Artist * ''Prophecies of the Dragon'' (Wheel of Time) (2002) Wizards of the Coast, Interior Artist * ''Call of Cthulhu Roleplaying Game'' (Call of Cthulhu d20) (2002) Wizards of the Coast, Interior Artist ==Awards== *Winner, 2017 [National Cartoonists Society Division Award](/source/National_Cartoonists_Society_Division_Awards) for Book Illustration{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2018/05/26/ncs-reuben-divisional-award-winners/|title = NCS Reuben Divisional Award Winners|date = 27 May 2018}} == References == {{Reflist}} == External links == {{commonscat|Adam Rex}} * {{official website }} * [http://www.smekday.com ''The True Meaning of Smekday'' official site] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20090108165250/http://rettstatt.wordpress.com/2008/03/16/yauthor-to-yauthor-interview-with-adam-rex/ Interview by Chris Rettstatt] * {{LCAuth|n2001043500|Adam Rex|27|}} {{The True Meaning of Smekday}} {{D&D topics}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Rex, Adam}} Category:1973 births Category:American children's book illustrators Category:American children's writers Category:American fantasy artists Category:American male novelists Category:American role-playing game artists Category:Living people Category:University of Arizona alumni --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Adam Rex](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Rex) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Rex?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.