Chris VanAllsburg author page

Chris Van Allsburg biography

Chris Van Allsburg is an American author and illustrator, known for his work in children’s literature. He studied sculpture at the University of Michigan and received an MFA from the Rhode Island School of Design. Van Allsburg’s debut picture book, The Garden of Abdul Gasazi, was published in 1979 by Houghton Mifflin.

He is the author and illustrator of several acclaimed books, including Jumanji (1981) and The Polar Express (1985). Both titles received the Caldecott Medal, awarded by the American Library Association for the most distinguished American picture book for children. Jumanji was adapted into a feature film in 1995, and The Polar Express was adapted into an animated film in 2004.

Other notable works by Van Allsburg include The Mysteries of Harris Burdick (1984), Two Bad Ants (1988), Just a Dream (1990), and Zathura (2002). His books are recognised for their distinctive illustrations and imaginative storytelling. Van Allsburg has received the Caldecott Honor for The Garden of Abdul Gasazi and the Regina Medal from the Catholic Library Association in 1987.

His illustrations have been exhibited at the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature. In 1996, he was awarded the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award for The Wreck of the Zephyr. Van Allsburg’s work continues to be published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.