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Chris Van Allsburg

クリス・ヴァン・オールズバーグ

Kurisu Van Ōrubāgu

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1949-06-18 （Grand Rapids, Michigan）
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Religion
Judaism Baptized in 1974
Residence History
Grand Rapids, Michigan → Providence, Rhode Island

Career

Occupations
Writer, Illustrator
Active Years
1979-2024
Affiliations
Rhode Island School of Design
Nominations
1980 Caldecott Honor (The Garden of Abdul Gasazi), 1986 Hans Christian Andersen Award nominee

Education

University of Michigan
College of Architecture and Design / Sculpture
Year of Graduation: 1972
Country: United States
Majored in sculpture, studied bronze casting, wood carving, etc.
Rhode Island School of Design
Sculpture
Degree: 修士号
Year of Graduation: 1975
Country: United States

Awards

Caldecott Medal
1982
Work: Jumanji
Organization: Association for Library Service to Children
Result: Winner
Caldecott Medal
1986
Work: The Polar Express
Organization: Association for Library Service to Children
Result: Winner
Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame
2010
Organization: Society of Illustrators
Result: Inducted
World Fantasy Special Award—Professional
1985
Organization: World Fantasy Award
Result: Winner
Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary)
2012
Organization: University of Michigan
Result: Received

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Jumanji

1981 Children's picture book

Two bored children discover a magical board game that turns their home into a jungle.

fantasyadventureimagination
Adaptations
  • [Film] Jumanji / Joe Johnston (1995)
  • [Film] Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle / Jake Kasdan (2017)
  • [Film] Jumanji: The Next Level / Jake Kasdan (2019)
  • [Animated TV series] Jumanji (1996)

The Polar Express

1985 Children's picture book

A young boy boards a magical train to the North Pole on Christmas Eve.

Christmasfaithmiracles
Adaptations
  • [Film] The Polar Express / Robert Zemeckis (2004)

Zathura

2002 Children's picture book

A board game turns a house into a spaceship hurtling through space.

fantasybrotherhoodadventure
Adaptations
  • [Film] Zathura: A Space Adventure / Jon Favreau (2005)

The Garden of Abdul Gasazi

1979 Children's picture book

A boy loses his dog in a magician's mysterious garden.

magicreality vs. illusion

The Mysteries of Harris Burdick

1984 Children's picture book

Collection of enigmatic illustrations and captions.

mysteryimagination

Bibliography

  • The Garden of Abdul Gasazi
  • Jumanji
  • Ben's Dream
  • The Wreck of the Zephyr
  • The Mysteries of Harris Burdick
  • The Polar Express
  • The Stranger
  • The Z Was Zapped
  • Two Bad Ants
  • Just a Dream
  • The Wretched Stone
  • The Widow's Broom
  • The Sweetest Fig
  • Bad Day at Riverbend
  • Zathura
  • Probuditi!
  • Queen of the Falls
  • The Misadventures of Sweetie Pie

Adaptations

  • Jumanji (1995 film) and sequels

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Fantastical and meticulous illustrationsBlurring lines between reality and dreamDelicate pencil and conté crayon technique
Recurring Motifs
Magical games and objectsChildren's imaginationMysterious journeys

Legacy

One of the most influential children's authors and illustrators, winner of two Caldecott Medals, with works adapted into successful films known for fantastical worlds.

In Popular Culture

  • Original source for Jumanji film franchise
  • The Polar Express film adaptation

Trivia

  • Born to a Dutch-American family
  • Converted to Judaism upon marriage
  • Studied sculpture at University of Michigan and RISD
  • Authored/illustrated 21 picture books