Chris Raschka

A charming introduction to Saint Paul and his epistles Caldecott Medal-winner Chris Raschka breathes new life into the letters of Paul the Apostle with this inviting book. Each sumptuous page distills the main themes of Paul's epistles into approachable, appealing language. Chris Raschka expertly depicts Paul's sincerity and compassion, sadness and pain, giving readers a true sense of who Paul really was. Paul Writes (a Letter) celebrates how one of the most beloved biblical figures changed the world through the written word.

In this lyrical picture book illustrated by a two-time Caldecott Medalist, share in a blind child's joyful experience of the changing seasons. Where I live, seasons change. I know because my fingers and toes, my ears, my mouth and nose, all tell me so. Neveah is blind, but that doesn't mean she can't enjoy each of the four wondrous seasons of the year. She knows it's winter when her boots go scruuunch in the snow and cold flakes land softly on her tongue. She knows spring has come by the smell of hyacinths, the bzzzz of a bee in her ear. Summer is a trip to the beach, where she can hear the crash of ocean waves and the keowww of seagulls overhead. And when Neveah's rake goes scritch scratch over fallen leaves and the air turns brisk, she knows it's autumn. Soon the cycle of seasons will begin anew. In this poetic story with art by a two-time Caldecott Medalist, join Neveah as she uses her senses of touch, taste, hearing, and smell to vividly describe the changing seasons and the unique delights they each have to offer.

Waiting for Guffman meets Parks and Recreation for middle grade readers, in this one-of-a-kind illustrated novel from Caldecott Medalist Chris Raschka, where a wasp sting grants Peachaloo a useful new superpower. Two very large things have just happened to Peachaloo Piccolozampa. First, she's discovered a plot to ruin her favorite swimming hole and replace it with a golf course. Second, a wasp sting has given her the superpower to understand the truth behind what people say. Peachaloo knows a golf course is not the destiny for the grounds of the Ajax Mansion, a former monastery whose jump-roping denizens proclaimed it freely open to all. But the mansion's new owner has other ideas--and has managed to bury the evidence of the Brothers and Sisters' wishes. Now it's up to Peachaloo to use her superpower to prove this villain a liar, star in the annual pageant, and somehow get her town back the way it's supposed to be. Caldecott Medalist Chris Raschka proves as deft with pen as paintbrush in this sizzlingly witty tale of Extraordinary Wasp Perception, oyster-slinging bank robbers, and a community standing strong against the forces of greed and real estate. Illustrations sprinkled throughout paint a small town entirely unique and yet all too familiar to readers across the U.S. Readers of all ages won't want to miss the next train to the big-hearted, peculiar, one-of-a-kind town of Fourwords. A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

A delightful middle grade adventure by two-time Caldecott Medal winner Chris Raschka about good, evil, and cats. Generously illustrated with black-and-white illustrations.When a twelve-year-old girl named Cleo and her cat, Muffin, become the newest members of PURR (Peace Urgently Requires Reasonableness), a secret society of cats fighting for peace, they aren't exactly sure what they're getting themselves into. Then, PURR discovers that KLAW (Cats Loving Awful Warfare), an evil secret society of cats, is planning to send dogs to space for ransom. PURR tasks Cleo to infiltrate KLAW as a secret spy so together they can stop them. It will take the intelligence, confidence, and tenacity of a feline to save the world from KLAW's evil plans. Does Cleo have what it takes? Includes gorgeous black-and-white watercolors by two-time Caldecott Medalist Chris Raschka.

This exquisite and deeply moving picture book by two-time Caldecott Medal–winning artist Chris Raschka explores concepts of friendship, growing up, generosity, empathy, love, and time. Tomorrow’s Lily is a perfect gift book for readers of all ages, as well as a terrific choice for bedtime.A daylily blooms for just one day, opening when the sun comes up and closing when it sets. In Chris Raschka’s extraordinary garden, seven daylilies bloom for others during the course of a sun-drenched week—for example, Monday’s lily blooms for the baby, and Saturday’s lily blooms for friends. The lovely and lyrical text underscores the value of living in the moment, caring for those around you, and being mindful of nature.Two-time Caldecott Medal winner Chris Raschka introduces young readers to the concept of time—the days of the week, the span of a life—as well as to more spiritual and emotional concepts such as friendship, empathy, generosity, caring for others, and love. With a soothing text and stunning illustrations, this gentle, innovative, and educational picture book is an excellent choice for story-time sharing as well as gift giving.

Step into New York City's 777 Garden Avenue, the building where Chris Raschka's charming and funny The Doorman's Repose takes place. Filled with unforgettable characters that bring the city to life, this book is perfect for anyone who has ever wondered what happens in those big, storied New Yor apartment buildings. Some of us look up at those craggy, mysterious apartment buildings found in the posher parts of New York City and wonder what goes on inside. Now in paperback, The Doorman's Repose collects ten stories of the doings of 777 Garden Avenue, one of the craggiest. The first story recounts the travails of the new doorman, who excels at all aspects of his work except for perhaps the most important--talking baseball. Other stories tell of a long-forgotten room, a cupid-like elevator, a poisoned boiler, and the unlikely romance of a cerebral psychologist and a jazz musician, both mice. Because the animals talk and the machinery has feelings, these are children's stories. Otherwise they are for any child or adult intrigued by what happens when many people, strangers or kin, live between shared walls and ceilings, under one high, gargoyled, turreted roof.

Two-time Caldecott Medal winner Chris Raschka captures the sound, passion, innovation, and love of the arts that the renowned jazz pianist Mary Lou Williams shared with the world. Mary’s Idea is a stunning and transporting picture book about music and the creative process, for readers of Trombone Shorty and Chris Raschka’s acclaimed books about musicians, including Charlie Parker Played Be Bop and Mysterious Thelonious. At the age of three, Mary Lou Williams taught herself how to play the piano. At the age of fifteen, she was considered a professional. An American jazz pianist and composer, Mary Lou Williams wrote hundreds of compositions, recorded hundreds of songs, and wrote arrangements for musicians, including Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman.Mary’s Idea is an exquisite picture book about Mary Lou Williams, an artist often overlooked in the canon of American music because of her gender and skin color. With a text full of rhythm and movement and illustrations that sing off the page, Chris Raschka’s picture book is equal parts biography and celebration of the imagination, ideas, and creative process. Mary’s Idea will find readers in fans of Traci N. Todd’s and Christian Robinson’s Nina, and Brian Selznick’s and Pam Muñoz Ryan’s When Marian Sang. Includes backmatter.

Two-time Caldecott Medal winner Chris Raschka celebrates the enduring bond between best friends—a young girl and her cat. Meow is an innovative and surprising tale of friendship, love, anger, hurt, kindness, and forgiveness. A must-have for the youngest reader and cat lovers everywhere. A girl and her cat, Marigold, are best friends. When the girl accidently steps on Marigold’s tail, the surprised and hurt cat runs for cover. But after some time apart and an apology, all is forgiven, and Marigold and the girl are friends again.Two-time Caldecott Medal winner Chris Raschka introduces various renditions of the word “meow” throughout, each offering a collaborative, educational, and innovative way to interpret the story. With two compelling main characters, an entire rainbow of emotions, a playful text composed almost exclusively using only four letters (M E O W), and lively illustrations, Meow is ideal for visual literacy, beginning readers, very young children, social and emotional development, and for classroom story hours.

A church is a weighty thing, isn't it? Its doors are heavy and hard to budge. Its walls are made of stone. And there may be strange or even scary pictures inside. How can a small person make sense of these intimidating places? Two-time Caldecott medalist Chris Raschka shares his mother's wonderful way of visiting a church: what they would call saint spotting. Each visit to a church becomes an adventure, a trip through the stories that have shaped centuries of faith.Playful and poignant, this beautifully illustrated book introduces readers to saints and symbols through the warm bond between a mother and son. From bookish Paul to faithful Mary Magdalene, from musical Cecilia to animal-loving Francis, there's a fascinating saint to discover in every corner.

It’s time to celebrate family, community, generosity, and giving! Two-time Caldecott Medalist Chris Raschka’s stunning picture book is the perfect pick to share whenever family and friends gather together to celebrate and give thanks, no matter the occasion. Spend the day around the heart of a home: the blue table. A shopping list is written, food is prepared, and the table is set. Guests arrive, thanks are given, and a meal is shared. What then? It’s time to pitch in and clean up, of course! Limited text, bright colors, and stunning collage illustrations make The Blue Table ideal for the youngest reader and for storytime sharing. In just thirty-two pages, two-time Caldecott Medalist and New York Times–bestselling picture book creator Chris Raschka captures the very essence of community—and gratitude.

From celebrated picture book creators Chris Raschka and Vladimir Radunsky comes one possible answer to the age-old question: Who was Mother Goose?We all love to hear Mother Goose rhymes and riddles. But did you know that there was a real Mother Goose who lived in Boston three hundred years ago? In 1692, Elizabeth Foster married a widower with ten children. His name was Isaac Goose, and after they married, Elizabeth became Mother Goose. She and Isaac had six more children together, and to help her care for such a big and boisterous family, Mother Goose sang songs and lullabies and made up rhymes and poems. Her nursery rhymes and stories were published at a print shop on Pudding Lane in Boston, though no copies of her book exist today. In a book featuring some of Mother Goose’s best-loved works, Vladimir Radunsky’s bright and humorous illustrations and Chris Raschka’s rhyming poems tell the little-known story of the Goose children, Isaac and Elizabeth herself – the Mother Goose of Pudding Lane.

From Caldecott Award-winning and New York Times bestselling author Chris Raschka, this tender and fun-filled picture book celebrates unexpected friendship and city life from the perspective of pigeons How do two friends find each other? Why choose this one, not another? Are two friends just meant to be-- I for you and you for me? Two pigeons fly through the city hoping to find a friend--but where do friends come from? In this brightly illustrated love letter to cities, the fine, feathered characters discover the magical, unlikely connections that happen best in the hustle and bustle of a big city.

This Caldecott Honor classic is a simple yet important story about friendship.Two kids meet on a street. "Yo " says one. "Yes?" says the other. And so begins a conversation that turns strangers into friends. With vibrant illustrations, Chris Raschka's rhythmic read-aloud is a celebration of differences -- and how it just takes a few words to overcome them. More relevant than ever in our divided world, this 1993 Caldecott Award-winning classic is presented for the first time in a board book format.

From Caldecott Medalist Chris Raschka comes a sweet, simple picture book dialogue between a mother and baby, for the youngest of children. Mama and Baby clap and play hide-and-seek and pat-a-cake. Mama and Baby . . . Mama? Where did Mama go? In a series of spreads, simple, bold illustrations show a mother on one side and a baby on the other, interacting in universally familiar ways -- until Mama dips out briefly, then returns to her crying child to offer comfort again. With his usual flair, the redoubtable Chris Raschka offers a reassuring moment that will resonate with mamas and babies everywhere.

From celebrated picture book creators Chris Raschka and Vladimir Radunsky comes one possible answer to the age-old question: Who was Mother Goose?We all love to hear Mother Goose rhymes and riddles. But did you know that there was a real Mother Goose who lived in Boston three hundred years ago? In 1692, Elizabeth Foster married a widower with ten children. His name was Isaac Goose, and after they married, Elizabeth became Mother Goose. She and Isaac had six more children together, and to help her care for such a big and boisterous family, Mother Goose sang songs and lullabies and made up rhymes and poems. Her nursery rhymes and stories were published at a print shop on Pudding Lane in Boston, though no copies of her book exist today.In a book featuring some of Mother Goose’s best-loved works, Vladimir Radunsky’s bright and humorous illustrations and Chris Raschka’s rhyming poems tell the little-known story of the Goose children, Isaac and Elizabeth herself – the Mother Goose of Pudding Lane.

Celebrated picture book creators Chris Raschka and Vladimir Radunsky offer one possible answer to the age-old question: Who was Mother Goose? We all love to hear Mother Goose rhymes and riddles. But did you know that there was a real Mother Goose who lived in Boston more than three hundred years ago? In 1692, Elizabeth Foster married a widower with ten children. His name was Isaac Goose, and after they married, Elizabeth became Mother Goose. She and Isaac had four more children together, and to help her care for such a big and boisterous family, Mother Goose sang songs and lullabies and made up rhymes and poems. Her nursery rhymes and stories were published at a print shop on Pudding Lane in Boston, though no copies of her book exist today. In a book featuring some of Mother Goose's best-loved works, Vladimir Radunsky's bright and humorous illustrations and Chris Raschka's rhyming poems tell the little-known story of the Goose children, Isaac, and Elizabeth herself -- the Mother Goose of Pudding Lane.

A heartfelt and playful ode to the father-child relationship, by two-time Caldecott-medal-winning author Chris Raschka King and Jester, Boat and Captain, Mountain and Climber... fathers and children are all of these things and more in Chris Raschka's tribute to this familial pair. Each stanza presents three scenarios in which the father and child's roles are subtly balanced. The pairs vary between stanzas, coming together in a visit to an ice-cream truck. With minimal text and maximum emotion, the book encapsulates Raschka's own passion and nostalgia for being a father to his [now-grown] son. Ages 3–5

A new, interactive approach to storytime, The Whole Book Approach was developed in conjunction with the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art and expert author Megan Dowd Lambert's graduate work in children's literature at Simmons College, offering a practical guide for reshaping storytime and getting kids to think with their eyes. Traditional storytime often offers a passive experience for kids, but the Whole Book approach asks the youngest of readers to ponder all aspects of a picture book and to use their critical thinking skills. Using classic examples, Megan asks kids to think about why the trim size of Ludwig Bemelman's Madeline is so generous, or why the typeset in David Wiesner's Caldecott winner, The Three Pigs, appears to twist around the page, or why books like Chris Van Allsburg's The Polar Express and Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar are printed landscape instead of portrait. The dynamic discussions that result from this shared reading style range from the profound to the hilarious and will inspire adults to make children's responses to text, art, and design an essential part of storytime.

Winner of the 2012 Randolph Caldecott Medal This "New York Times" Bestseller and "New York Times" Best Illustrated Book relates a story about love and loss as only Chris Rashcka can tell it. Any child who has ever had a beloved toy break will relate to Daisy's anguish when her favorite ball is destroyed by a bigger dog. In the tradition of his nearly wordless picture book "Yo Yes?, " Caldecott Medalist Chris Raschka explores in pictures the joy and sadness that having a special toy can bring. Raschka's signature swirling, impressionistic illustrations and his affectionate story will particularly appeal to young dog lovers and teachers and parents who have children dealing with the loss of something special.