Prereading Activities

About the Author

Chris Van Allsburg was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan and attended the University of Michigan. He started his career as a sculptor, but was convinced by his wife, Lisa Morrison and her friend (who was a teacher) to do some illustrations for a children's book. He then wrote and illustrated his first children's book, The Garden of Abdul Gasazi which ended up winning an award. Once he found he had a talent in creating children's books, there was no stopping him.

Besides writing and illustrating his own children's books and being married to his wife, Lisa; he has two young daughters named Sophia and Anna.

Chris Van Allsburg's Official Website

Scavenger Hunt

I challenge you to find everything HERE on the author's official website (link above). Type your answers beside the questions and print the finished results!

You be the Author

After you read the author's summary and have explored his website, imagine writing your own book with a biography. Think about what you would include in your own author summary. You should be very detailed in your description like the author was, and it is alright to be creative with what job you had before becoming an author or how many dogs you have; I encourage it.

Your biography should be about 5-8 sentences long.