Illustration of black bird and crows eating pie.
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John Parr Miller, Illustration for Do You Know Colors? (Random House). Gift of George E. Miller. © 1978 J. P. Miller.

J. P. Miller

Originally from New York, John Parr (J. P.) Miller (1913–2004) was an animator with Walt Disney Studios from 1934 to 1942 during the Golden Age of Animation. He was one of three founding artists of Disney’s Character Model Department, where he helped develop such famous characters as Dopey, Dumbo, and Geppetto. After his service in WWII, Miller devoted himself full-time to children’s literature, both as an author and artist. He illustrated books by Patricia M. Scarry and Margaret Wise Brown, as well as numerous Little Golden Books. Miller’s Little Rabbit beginner books present gentle instruction in a world of simple, cheerful imagery. 
 
The Carle has over 250 artworks by Miller, generously gifted by his half-brother George E. Miller. His illustrations have been featured in numerous exhibitions at the Museum, including Let’s Talk: Animals from the Collection (2020). 

Illustration of raccoon, owl, frog, and turtle in marshy landscape.

John Parr Miller, Illustration for Little Turtle’s Big Adventure by David L. Harrison (Random House). Gift of George E. Miller. © 1969 J. P. Miller.

Miller’s flat, graphic style was honed while working as an artist at the Walt Disney Studio from 1934 to 1942 during the Golden Age of Animation. Here, Miller shows Little Turtle tucked asleep in his shell while the nocturnal owl and raccoon prowl the banks of the pond, their bright eyes illuminated by a full moon. 
 
Illustration of cars on busy road.

John Parr Miller, Illustration for Little Turtle’s Big Adventure by David L. Harrison (Random House). Gift of George E. Miller. © 1969 J. P. Miller.

Illustration of dog chasing rabbit through snowy woods.

John Parr Miller, Illustration for Little Turtle’s Big Adventure by David L. Harrison (Random House). Gift of George E. Miller. © 1969 J. P. Miller.

Little Turtle must search for a new home after his pond is filled with dirt. When winter arrives, he digs into the mud and retreats into his shell to await warmer weather. In this scene, a feisty beagle chases a white hare, unaware of Little Turtle’s presence beneath the snow. 
Illustration of turtles in landscape.

John Parr Miller, Illustration for Tales from Aesop (Random House). Gift of George E. Miller. © 1976 J. P. Miller.

Illustration of farmers in field with sheep.

John Parr Miller, Illustration for Tales from Aesop (Random House). Gift of George E. Miller. © 1976 J. P. Miller.

Illustration of farmers in field next to fence.

John Parr Miller, Illustration for Tales from Aesop (Random House). Gift of George E. Miller. © 1976 J. P. Miller.

Illustration of blue bird with flowers and dragonfly.

John Parr Miller, Illustration for Do You Know Colors? (Random House). Gift of George E. Miller. © 1978 J. P. Miller.

Illustration of black bird and crows eating pie.

John Parr Miller, Illustration for Do You Know Colors? (Random House). Gift of George E. Miller. © 1978 J. P. Miller.

Illustration of toy soldier, blocks, ducks, and other gifts.

John Parr Miller, Illustration for What did Santa Bring? Gift of George E. Miller. © 1981 J. P. Miller.

Illustration of rabbit pulling wagon of paint cans.

John Parr Miller, Illustration for Learn about Colors with Little Rabbit (Random House). Gift of George E. Miller. © 1984 J. P. Miller.

Illustration of two rabbits next to fence holding paint brushes.

John Parr Miller, Illustration for Learn about Colors with Little Rabbit (Random House). Gift of George E. Miller. © 1984 J. P. Miller.

Illustration of rabbit with white paint brush and snowman and another rabbit sleeping in bed.

John Parr Miller, Illustration for Learn about Colors with Little Rabbit (Random House). Gift of George E. Miller. © 1984 J. P. Miller.

Illustration of rabbit eating breakfast and mother rabbit cooking at stove.

John Parr Miller, Illustration for Learn to Count with Little Rabbit (Random House). Gift of George E. Miller. © 1984 J. P. Miller.

Illustration of rabbit with chipmunks.

In Miller’s early reader book, Little Rabbit practices his counting, meeting one postman, three baby swans, and four frogs. Here Little Rabbit counts Mrs. Chipmunk’s five baby kits. Can you find the five mushrooms? It’s easy in Miller’s sweet, simple composition.

John Parr Miller, Illustration for Learn to Count with Little Rabbit (Random House). Gift of George E. Miller. © 1984 J. P. Miller.
Illustration of rabbit with sunflowers and honey bees.

John Parr Miller, Illustration for Learn to Count with Little Rabbit (Random House). Gift of George E. Miller. © 1984 J. P. Miller.

Illustration of rabbit climbing ladder to treehouse.

John Parr Miller, Illustration for Yoo-Hoo, Little Rabbit (Random House). Gift of George E. Miller. © 1986 J. P. Miller.

Illustration of teddy bears falling out of toy shop.

John Parr Miller, Illustration for Lucky Bear. Gift of George E. Miller. © 1986 J. P. Miller.

Illustration of little rabbit learning to use stethoscope on doctor rabbit.

John Parr Miller, Illustration for Little Rabbit Goes to the Doctor (Random House). Gift of George E. Miller. © 1987 J. P. Miller.

Illustration of rabbit walking to doctor's office through busy street.

John Parr Miller, Illustration for Little Rabbit Goes to the Doctor (Random House). Gift of George E. Miller. © 1987 J. P. Miller.

Little Rabbit is hot and his ears hurt, so Mother Rabbit takes him to see Dr. O’Hare. Miller’s charming illustrations reveal to young readers what they can expect when they visit the doctor. Miller added, or collaged, the red car onto his painted illustration. He may have done this to cover a mistake or to change the vehicle’s color. 
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J. P. Miller

John Parr Miller began his career as an animator with Walt Disney Studios. After serving in WWII, he devoted himself full-time to children’s literature, illustrating books by Patricia M. Scarry and Margaret Wise Brown, and writing and illustrating his own stories.