Famed children's book illustrator Leo Dillon died on May 26 at a Long Island, N.Y. hospital.  Dillon was best known for the colorful children's books that he collaborated on with his wife Diane Dillon.  Their books mainly touched on African and African-American culture and were a great contribution to children's literature, particularly at a time when books on and about black people were few and far between.

Dillon was the first African American to win the Caldecott Medal for children's books.  "Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears: A West African Folktale" won the prestigious award for the husband and wife duo in 1976.  The couple who met at the Parsons School of Design in 1953 wrote more than 40 books and illustrated books for many other authors.

Dillon along with his wife have had a tremendous imprint on children's literature.  The couple have a book, "If Kids Ran the World," which is scheduled to come out in 2014.