Kay Chorao

Kay Chorao
Born Ann McKay Sproat
January 7, 1936
Elkhart, Indiana, USA
Occupation Artist, illustrator and writer
Nationality American
Period 1972–present
Genre Children's books

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]

Biography

Chorao was born in Elkhart, Indiana, 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]

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]

Selected works

As writer and illustrator

"Baby" series

Oink and Pearl series

  1. Oink and Pearl (1981)
  2. Ups and Downs with Oink and Pearl (1986)

As Illustrator only

Books by Majorie Weinman Sharmat

Books by Marjorie W. Sharmat that are illustrated by Kay Chorao:

Book by Judith Viorst

Books by Judith Viorst that are illustrated by Kay Chorao:

Books by Jan Wahl

Books by Jan Wahl that are illustrated by Kay Chorao:

Books by Barbara Williams

Books by Barbara Williams that are illustrated by Kay Chorao:

References

  1. ↑ H.W. Wilson Company, Joseph, Bea. Biography Index, p. 148.
  2. ↑ La Beau, Dennis. Children's authors and illustrators, p. 31.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Birthday Bio: Kay Chorao". Children Literature Network. Retrieved August 9, 2008.
  4. ↑ Teacher's Calendar of Events from Education Oasis. Retrieved August 9, 2008.
  5. ↑ Mossman, Jennifer. New Pseudonyms and Nicknames: Second Supplement to Pseudonyms and Nicknames, p. 73.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Ann McKay (Sproat) Chorao biography. Retrieved August 9, 2008.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Continuum Encyclopedia of Children's Literature. Archived at Google Books.
  8. ↑ . Laurel School.
  9. ↑ Author Kay Chorao. Macmillan Books. Retrieved August 9, 2008.
  10. ↑ The Christopher Awards: Books for Young People. Retrieved August 9, 2008.
  11. ↑ Books of The Times; For Junior Bibliophiles, 10 Favorites of the Year. The New York Times. Retrieved August 9, 2008.
  12. ↑ "Books to Grow On". American Library Association. Retrieved August 9, 2008.
  13. ↑ Pick of the decade:1995–2005. njyac.org. Retrieved August 9, 2008.
  14. ↑ Children's Choices for 1995. Retrieved August 9, 2008.

External links

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