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Chris Barton

クリス・バートン

Chris Barton

Profile

Gender
Male
Nationality
American
Languages
English
Residence History
Sulphur Springs, Texas (grew up) → Austin, Texas, USA (current)

Career

Occupations
Author of children's books
Active Years
2009-
Affiliations
Member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
Memberships
Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators

Education

University of Texas at Austin
Department of History
Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Period: 〜1993
Year of Graduation: 1993
Country: United States
Wrote for The Daily Texan while at university

Awards

Cybils Award (Nonfiction Picture Book)
2009
Work: The Day-Glo Brothers
Category: Nonfiction Picture Book
Organization: Cybils
Result: Winner
ALSC Notable Children's Books
2010
Work: The Day-Glo Brothers
Organization: Association for Library Service to Children
Result: Selection
Sibert Medal (Honor)
2010
Work: The Day-Glo Brothers
Category: Children's Nonfiction
Organization: American Library Association
Result: Honor
Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
2012
Work: Can I See Your I.D.?
Organization: Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA)
Result: Selection
YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction (Nominee)
2012
Work: Can I See Your I.D.?
Category: Nonfiction (YA)
Organization: Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA)
Result: Nominee
Carter G. Woodson Book Award: Elementary
2016
Work: The Amazing Age of John Roy Lynch
Category: Elementary
Organization: National Council for the Social Studies
Result: Winner
Cybils Award (Elementary Nonfiction)
2017
Work: Dazzle Ships
Category: Elementary Nonfiction
Organization: Cybils
Result: Finalist
Orbis Pictus Award (Honor)
2018
Work: Dazzle Ships
Category: Outstanding Nonfiction for Children
Organization: National Council of Teachers of English
Result: Honor
Booklist Editors' Choice: Books for Youth
2018
Work: What Do You Do with a Voice Like That?
Organization: Booklist
Result: Selection
Beverly Cleary Children's Choice Award
2019
Work: Whoosh!
Organization: Oregon Library Association (admin)
Result: Winner
Rise: A Feminist Book Project (Top 10)
2020
Work: What Do You Do With a Voice Like That?
Organization: American Library Association (Rise committee)
Result: Top 10
School Library Journal Best Nonfiction (Selection)
2022
Work: Moving Forward
Category: Children's Nonfiction
Organization: School Library Journal
Result: Selection

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Day-Glo Brothers

2009 Children's nonfiction

A children's nonfiction account of brothers Bob and Joe Switzer and their invention of Day-Glo paints and colors.

inventionhistory of sciencecolor

Shark vs. Train

2010 Picture book (fiction)

A humorous picture book about a showdown between a shark and a train, notable for its brisk pacing and bold illustrations.

humorimaginationshowdown

Whoosh!: Lonnie Johnson's Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions

2016 Children's nonfiction

A children's nonfiction biography of inventor Lonnie Johnson, focusing on his life and inventions, including the Super Soaker.

inventionscience educationdiversity
Translations
  • ¡FUSHHH!: Spanish edition

Dazzle Ships

2017 Children's nonfiction

Explains the history and visual rationale behind 'dazzle' camouflage used on ships in World War I.

war historyart and designvisual culture

What Do You Do with a Voice Like That?

2018 Children's biographical nonfiction

A children's biography that tells the life and achievements of the extraordinary congresswoman Barbara Jordan.

civil rightshistorical figuresleadership

Moving Forward: From Space-Age Rides to Civil Rights Sit-Ins with Airman Alton Yates

2022 Children's nonfiction

Tells the story of Airman Alton Yates, conveying themes of race, history, and courage.

civil rightsmilitary historypersonal histories

Bibliography

  • The Day-Glo Brothers (2009)
  • Shark vs. Train (2010)
  • Can I See Your I.D.? (2011)
  • Attack! Boss! Cheat Code!: A Gamer's Alphabet (2014)
  • The Amazing Age of John Roy Lynch (2015)
  • Whoosh! (2016)
  • 88 Instruments (2016)
  • That's Not Bunny! (2016)
  • Book or Bell? (2017)
  • Dazzle Ships (2017)
  • All of a Sudden and Forever (2020)
  • How to Make a Book (About My Dog) (2021)
  • Sister, Brother, Family (2021)
  • Moving Forward (2022)
  • Glitter Everywhere! (2023)

Translations of Works

  • ¡FUSHHH!: Spanish edition of Whoosh!

Style & Themes

Literary Style
clear, fact-based children's nonfictionhumorous, brisk picture-book voiceexplains complex history and science in accessible ways for young readers
Recurring Motifs
invention and sciencehistorical figures and eventsmusic and culturefamily and community stories

Legacy

Chris Barton is recognized in both children's nonfiction and picture books, acclaimed for conveying science, history, and culture to young readers. His books have frequently appeared on educational and library 'best of' lists and are widely used in schools and public libraries.

Academic Societies

  • Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators

Trivia

  • His father died when Barton was eight years old.
  • Graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1993 with a degree in history.
  • In 2014 he proposed the Modern First Library concept to independent bookstore BookPeople.
  • Married to author Jennifer Ziegler; the couple have four children.