Chris Allsburg

Chris Van Allsburg is a renowned children's books author, born in 1949 on a farm in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is the second child of Doris Christiansen Van Allsburg and Richard Van Allsburg. Allsburg's childhood was filled with ordinary experiences that would later inspire his extraordinary work as an author and illustrator. His paternal grandfather owned the East End Creamery, where milk was turned into butter, cream, cottage cheese, and ice cream. As a child, Allsburg lived in a farmhouse next to the creamery before moving to a new house at the edge of Grand Rapids. It was here that he developed a love for the outdoors, often exploring the open fields and streams near his home.

Allsburg's family moved again when he was six, to a Tudor-style house in East Grand Rapids. The house and the street where he lived would later become the inspiration for the cover of his book, The Polar Express. During his junior and senior high school years, Allsburg's interests and talents leaned more towards math and science than art. However, he would later become one of the most celebrated authors and illustrators of children's books.

Chris Van Allsburg is a two-time Caldecott Medal winner, receiving the award for his books Jumanji and The Polar Express. He is also the recipient of a Caldecott Honor Book for The Garden of Abdul Gasazi. In addition to these accolades, Allsburg has been awarded the Regina Medal for lifetime achievement in children's literature. His book Jumanji won the National Book Award in 1982 and was made into a popular feature film in 1996. Allsburg was formerly an instructor at the Rhode Island School of Design and now lives in Rhode Island with his wife and two children. His other notable works include The Wreck of the Zephyr and The Stranger.