1. Chris Van Allsburg

3. Born on June 18, 1949 Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan Married Lisa Morrison Father of 2 daughters Currently lives in Beverly, Massachusetts

4. Chris Van Allsburg is known best for his book “The Polar Express”. This book won the Caldecott Medal. It also inspired the making of a movie. On Christmas Eve night a boy lies in bed waiting to hear the belles on Santa’s sleigh. Instead, he hears the rumble of a train. He boards the train and is taken, with many other children, to the North Pole.

5. Achievments & Awards Written and illustrated over 19 books Winner of 2 Caldecott Medals Boston Globe Honor Boston Globe Horn Book Award National Book Award for Book Illustration Regina Medal for lifetime achievement in children's literature

6. Chris Van Allsburg’s website “The idea of the extraordinary happening in the context of the ordinary is what’s fascinating to me.” –Chris Van Allsburg