John Steptoe died on August 28, 1989, at Saint Lukes Hospital in Manhattan of AIDS. He was 38 years old. At the time of his death, Steptoe was among the few African-American artists who made a career in children’s literature. Following his death, the American Library Association established the John Steptoe Award for New Talent, which is given to affirm new talent and excellence in writing and/or illustration.