Author/Illustrator: Chris VanAllsburg
Best Known For: Jumanji, Polar Express, Zathura, The Garden of Abdul Gasazi
Bio: Chris was born to a family of dairy workers in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1949. His family moved several times when Chris was a child, but they never left Grand Rapids. His different homes were inpirational in his art work later on in his life. Chris never took formal art classes while in school, but did love to draw. When the time came to choose a major, Chris was intrigued by the idea of creating art. The college recruiter told him, however, that without any prior education in art, the University of Michigan would not accept him into the college of Architecture and Design. So, he lied. Chris told the man that he was too good for High School art, and as a result, he was tutored privately. Chris began his education at the University of Michigan in 1967. While there he found he had a knack for sculpture and made that his major. Upon completion of his degree at the University of Michigan, Chris continued his education and focus in sculpture at the Rhode Island School of Design.
When he graduated from R.I.S.D., Chris married a woman named Lisa, who taught 3rd grade. He was displaying his sculptures in museums and creating a name for himself as quite the scupltor. However, at night, in their tiny apartment, Chris would pass the time drawing. The drawings caught the eye of his wife and a friend of hers who knew the editor at Houghton Mifflin. Upon reviewing Chris' work, he suggested that he not only illustrate children's books, but write them as well. His first book, The Garden of Abdul Gasazi, was published in 1972.
Since his first success in '72, Chris has won numerous awards, including two Caldecott Award Medals, for outstanding illustrations in a child's picture book. He and his wife Lisa are still happily married, and have two daughters. To learn more about Chris Van Allsburg and his work, visit his website by clicking here.
