Chris Raschka, described as one of America's foremost children's book creators, celebrates his birthday on March 6th. Chris grew up in Pennsylvania, but came to Northfield, Minnesota to major in biology at St. Olaf's College. He started editorial cartooning for a small newspaper and eventually moved to New York in order to gain more opportunities to illustrate children's books. His first picture book, Charlie Parker Played Bebop, was published in 1992. The loose narrative structure replicates the rhythm and cadence of jazz music. Rascha jettisons realism for a subjective style in order to capture the essence of his stories. The spare imagery and language of Yo! Yes? focuses the reader. Awarded a Caldecott Honor in 1994, the picture book depicts the conversation of two young boys, one black and one white, who form a friendship. Ring! Yo? is a companion volume. In 2006, Chris Raschka won the Caldecott medal for illustrating Norton Juster's text in The Hello, Goodbye WIndow. Chris lives and works in New York City with his wife and young son.
