Chris Van Allsburg

Chris Van Allsburg, born June 18, 1949 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is an author and illustrator of children's books. He won the Caldecott Medal for Jumanji (1982) and The Polar Express (1985), both of which he wrote and illustrated, and both of which were later adapted into successful motion pictures. He received the Caldecott Honor Medal in 1980 for The Garden of Abdul Gasazi.

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June 18 - 1949 - Grand Rapids, Michigan - Author - Illustrator - Children's books - Caldecott Medal - Jumanji - 1982 - The Polar Express - 1985 - Motion picture - 1980

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He attended art school at the University of Michigan, and received his MFA from Rhode Island School of Design.

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Art school - University of Michigan - MFA - Rhode Island School of Design

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His books often depict fantastic, uncontrolled events and utilize sometimes brutal irony. Van Allsburg breaks out of the comfortable world of children's literature to explore the darker side of human nature. For example, his book The Sweetest Fig is about a selfish man who is suddenly given the opportunity to make his wildest dreams come true. His greed is eventually his downfall. This is not an unusual moral for a story in children's books, but Van Allsburg's chilling characterization of the man brings a frightening tone to the narrative.

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He is a conver to Judaism.

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