Van Allsburg, Chris

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American author and illustrator of children's picture books; Caldecott Award Winner, 1982 and 1986, and Caldecott Honor, 1980.

From the description of Papers, 1979-1983. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62402371

American author and illustrator of children's picture books.

From the description of Jumanji : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62490054

From the description of The wreck of the Zephyr : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62424443

From the description of The garden of Abdul Gasazi : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62685851

From the description of Ben's dream : production material. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62490052

Chris Van Allsburg was born June 18, 1949 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He received a B.F.A from the University of Michigan, and his M.F.A from Rhode Island School of Design in 1974, where he would later teach. Van Allsburg began writing and illustrating children's books in the 1970s, publishing The Garden of Abdul Gasazi in 1979. The book was awarded a Caldecott Honor and two of Van Allsburg's later books, Jumanji and The Polar Express would win the Caldecott Award in 1982 and 1986 respectively, a unique accomplishment for an author/illustrator and recognition of Van Allsburg's achievements in the field of picture books for children. Throughout his work, he uses imaginative situations and "linguistic puzzles" to tantalize his readers and his pictures are often "visual riddles" with puns and allusions that readers must decipher and interpret using Van Allsburg's text as a guide. His books usually have only a brief and sparse text but the interaction of words and pictures create striking images. Van Allsburg's characters, like those in folk and fairy tales, are often one-dimensional and there is little character development with simple action yet the stories are far from simplistic. The plots frequently revolve around a journey or quest, have a strong sense of adventure, and leave both characters and readers pondering their subtle lessons such as reading directions. staying alert, and keeping yourself open to your imagination and the world's possibilities. His surreal yet solid illustrations with their dreamlike quality and exactness are what sets Van Allsburg's picture books apart. They draw readers in with their dazzling sense of perspective and interaction with text and open vast horizons of possibility, and the reader is left to decide how much is real and how much can be.

From the guide to the Chris Van Allsburg Papers, 1979-1983, (University of Minnesota Libraries Children's Literature Research Collections [clrc])

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Johnston, Joe, 1950-.... Jumanji [Multimédia multisupport] / Joe Johnston, réal. ; Jonathan Hensleigh, Greg Taylor, Jim Strain, scénario ; Chris Van Allsburg, aut. adapté ; James Horner, comp. ; Robin Williams, Kirsten Dunst, David Alan Grier... [et al.], act. Bibliothèque nationale de France, BnF
creatorOf Van Allsburg, Chris. Papers, 1979-1983. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
creatorOf Zemeckis, Robert, 1951-.... Le pôle express / Robert Zemeckis, réal., scénario ; d'après la nouvelle de Chris Van Allsburg ; William Broyles jr., scénario ; Alan Silvestri, comp. ; Tom Hanks... [et al.], voix. Bibliothèque nationale de France, BnF
creatorOf Van Allsburg, Chris. Jumanji : production material. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
creatorOf Van Allsburg, Chris. Ben's dream : production material. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
creatorOf Van Allsburg, Chris. The wreck of the Zephyr : production material. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
creatorOf Blos, Joan W. Papers of the Melcher family [manuscript] 1785-1987. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Koepp, David. Zathura : screenplay / by David Koepp ; based on the book by Chris Van Allsburg. University of Missouri-Kansas City, Miller Nichols Library; Health Sciences Library; Dental Library
creatorOf Chris Van Allsburg Papers, 1979-1983 University of Minnesota Libraries Children's Literature Research Collections
creatorOf Van Allsburg, Chris. The garden of Abdul Gasazi : production material. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
creatorOf VAN ALLSBURG, CHRIS. Artist file : miscellaneous uncataloged material. Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)
creatorOf Johnston, Joe, 1950-.... Jumanji [Multimédia multisupport] / Joe Johnston, réal. ; Jonathan Hensleigh, Greg Taylor, Jim Strain, scénario ; Chris Van Allsburg, aut. adapté ; James Horner, comp. ; Robin Williams, Kirsten Dunst, David Alan Grier... [et al.], act. Bibliothèque nationale de France, BnF
creatorOf Taylor, Greg. Jumanji : screenplay / by Greg Taylor & Jim Strain; revisions by Chris Van Allsburg... [et al.] ; based on the book by Chris Van Allsburg. University of Michigan
referencedIn Van Allsburg : [miscellaneous ephemeral material]. Metropolitan Museum of Art, Thomas J. Watson Library
creatorOf Zemeckis, Robert, 1951-.... Le pôle express / Robert Zemeckis, réal., scénario ; d'après la nouvelle de Chris Van Allsburg ; William Broyles jr., scénario ; Alan Silvestri, comp. ; Tom Hanks... [et al.], voix. Bibliothèque nationale de France, BnF
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Koepp, David. person
associatedWith Taylor, Greg. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Subject
Floods
Floods
Children's literature, American
Dogs
Dogs
Dreams
Dreams
Games
Games
Magic
Magic
Magicians
Play
Sailboats
Sailing
Sailing
Occupation
Illustrator
Activity

Person

Birth 1949-06-18

Americans

English

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