Kay Chorao
| Kay Chorao | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 7, 1936 Elkhart, Indiana, United States |
| Occupation | artist, illustrator and writer |
| Nationality | American |
| Genres | children's book |
Kay Chorao, born as Ann McKay Sproat on January 7, 1936,[1][2][3] (some sources say 1937[4][5]) in Elkhart, Indiana, is an American artist, illustrator and writer of children's books.[6]
Contents |
[edit] Biography
Chorao was born in Elkhart, Indiana, United States, into a middle-class, suburban family.[7] She loved and was encouraged to draw at a young age.[7] She attended Laurel School in Shaker Heights, OH.[8] Chorao went to Wheaton College, where in 1958 she earned a Bachelor of Arts in art history.[3][6] After that, Chorao pursued her graduate study at Chelsea School of Art from 1958 to 1959.[6]
Chorao got married and had three sons before moving to New York with her family.[3] From 1966 to 1968, she studied book illustration at School of Visual Arts in New York.[6]
[edit] Career
Besides writing self-illustrated children's books, Chorao has been the illustrator for many books by Jane Yolen, Judith Viorst, Jan Wahl, and Marjorie Sharmat.[6] Chorao published her first book, The Repair of Uncle Toe, in 1972.[3] Since then, she has written and illustrated more than fifty books.[9] Her illustrations have been exhibited several times by American Institute of Graphic Arts and Society of Illustrators.[6] Chorao has received the Christopher Award twice; the first time in 1979 as the illustrator of Chester Chipmunk's Thanksgiving, by Barbara Williams; and the second time in 1989 as the illustrator of The Good-Bye Book, by Judith Viorst.[10]
In 1975, Chorao illustrated Albert's Toothache, by Barbara Williams. The book was critically successful, being given the American Library Association's notable book citation and Children's Book Showcase title.[7] In 1979, her 1974 book Ida Makes a Movie was adapted into a short film by the same name, which would become the genesis for the highly-successful Degrassi teen drama franchise. In 1988, Chorao published Cathedral Mouse, which was well-received by critics and featured among the ten best children's picture books of the year, by New York Times.[11]
In 1990, Chorao's book Baby’s Lap Book was selected by American Library Association among the list of "Books to Grow On" for children from 6 to 12 months.[12] The following year, she published Here Comes Kate, which was named among the Pick of the decade 1995-2005 "Best books for children" list compiled by New Jersey State Library, Clifton Public Library and Woodbridge Public Library.[13] In 1994, Chorao self-illustrated book Annie and Cousin Precious was picked by International Reading Association as one of the Children's Choices for 1995.[7][14]
[edit] Selected bibliography
[edit] As writer and illustrator
- The Repair of Uncle Toe (1972)
- A Magic Eye for Ida (1973)
- Ralph and the Queen's Bathtub (1974)
- Ida Makes a Movie (1974)
- Maudie's Umbrella (1975)
- Cathedral Mouse (1988)
- Ida and Betty and the Secret Eggs (1991)
- Annie and Cousin Precious (1994)
- Jumpety-Bumpety Hop: A Parade of Animal Poems (1997)
- Little Farm by the Sea (1998)
- Here Comes Kate (2000)
[edit] "Baby" series
- The Baby's Lap Book: Nursery Rhymes (1977, re-released with color illustrations in 1990)
- The Baby's Bedtime Book: Poems and Rhymes (1984)
- The Baby's Good Morning Book: Poems and Rhymes (1986)
- The Baby's Christmas Treasury: Poems, Stories, and Songs (1991)
[edit] Oink and Pearl series
- Oink and Pearl (1981)
- Ups and Downs with Oink and Pearl (1986)
[edit] Illustrated for others
- The Witch's Egg by Madeleine Edmondson (1974)
- Clyde Monster by Robert L. Crowe (1976)
- Whose House? by Barbara Seuling (2004)
- Grandma's Hurrying Child by Jane Yolen (2005)
[edit] Books by Majorie Weinman Sharmat
Books by Marjorie W. Sharmat that are illustrated by Kay Chorao:
- I'm Terrific (1977)
- Thornton the Worrier (1978)
- Grumley the Grouch (1980)
- Sometimes Mama and Papa Fight (1980)
[edit] Book by Judith Viorst
Books by Judith Viorst that are illustrated by Kay Chorao:
- My Mama Says there Aren't any Zombies, Ghosts, Vampires, Creatures, Demons, Monsters, Fiends, Goblins, or Things (1973)
- The Good-bye Book (1988)
[edit] Books by Jan Wahl
Books by Jan Wahl that are illustrated by Kay Chorao:
- Frankenstein's Dog (1977)
- Dracula's Cat (1978)
[edit] Books by Barbara Williams
Books by Barbara Williams that are illustrated by Kay Chorao:
- Albert's Toothache (1974)
- Kevin's Grandma (1975)
- Someday, Said Mitchell (1976) ISBN 0-525-39580-6 HB
- Chester Chipmunk's Thanksgiving (1978)
- A Valentine for Cousin Archie (1981)
[edit] References
- ^ H.W. Wilson Company, Joseph, Bea. Biography Index p. 148
- ^ La Beau, Dennis. Children's authors and illustrators p.31
- ^ a b c d Birthday bio:Kay Chorao from Children Literature Network. Retrieved on August 9, 2008.
- ^ Teacher's Calendar of Events from Education Oasis. Retrieved on August 9, 2008.
- ^ Mossman, Jennifer. New Pseudonyms and Nicknames: Second Supplement to Pseudonyms and Nicknames p. 73
- ^ a b c d e f Ann Mc)Kay (Sproat) Chorao biography Retrieved on August 9, 2008.
- ^ a b c d Continuum Encyclopedia of Children's Literature Archived at Google Books
- ^ [1]
- ^ Author Kay Chorao from Macmillan Books. Retrieved on August 9, 2008.
- ^ The Christopher Awards : Books for Young People Retrieved on August 9, 2008.
- ^ Books of The Times; For Junior Bibliophiles, 10 Favorites of the Year from The New York times. Retrieved on August 9, 2008.
- ^ Books to Grow On from American Library Association website. Retrieved on August 9, 2008.
- ^ Pick of the decade:1995-2005 from njyac.org. Retrieved on August 9, 2008.
- ^ Children's Choices for 1995 Retrieved on August 9, 2008.
