17 Facts About Bruce Degen

Bruce Degen was an American illustrator and writer, known for illustrating The Magic School Bus, a picture book series written by Joanna Cole.

Bruce Degen collaborated with writers Nancy White Carlstrom, on the Jesse Bear books, and Jane Yolen, on the Commander Toad series.

Bruce Degen wrote self-illustrated Jamberry, Daddy Is a Doodlebug, and I Gotta Draw.

Bruce Degen's youth was marked by the contrast between urban New York City and the summertimes he spent in rural upstate New York, where he would pick wild berries.

Bruce Degen attended elementary school in Brooklyn; one of the teachers let him paint during lessons.

Bruce Degen went on to attend art schools in Manhattan, including LaGuardia High School, where a teacher encouraged him to study at Cooper Union.

Bruce Degen received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at Cooper Union.

Bruce Degen then attended Pratt Institute in Brooklyn where he obtained a Masters of Fine Arts degree in printmaking and painting.

Bruce Degen lived in Brooklyn Heights with his family until 1990.

Benjamin Bruce Degen is a painter and Alex Bruce Degen illustrates comic books.

Bruce Degen died of pancreatic cancer in Newtown, on November 7,2024, at the age of 79.

Bruce Degen's working life has included designing advertisements, teaching art, making prints, painting scenery for opera productions, and directing a lithography studio in Israel.

Bruce Degen began making children's books in 1975; his first was Aunt Possum and the Pumpkin Man.

Bruce Degen subsequently illustrated and wrote many children's books, both on his own and with others.

Bruce Degen wrote self-illustrated books such as Jamberry, Daddy Is a Doodlebug and I Gotta Draw.

Bruce and Christine Degen are Lifetime Giving Society members at the Cooper Union.

Bruce and Christine Degen contributed "Gifts to the Garden" for the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens.