| 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]
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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]
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]
Books by Marjorie W. Sharmat that are illustrated by Kay Chorao:
Books by Judith Viorst that are illustrated by Kay Chorao:
Books by Jan Wahl that are illustrated by Kay Chorao:
Books by Barbara Williams that are illustrated by Kay Chorao: