Kay Chorao

Infobox Writer
name = Kay Chorao

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birthdate = January 7, 1936
birthplace = Elkhart, Indiana, United States
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occupation = artist, illustrator and writer
nationality = American
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genre = children's book
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Kay Chorao, born as Ann McKay Sproat on January 7, 1936, [H.W. Wilson Company, Joseph, Bea. "Biography Index" p. 148] [La Beau, Dennis. "Children's authors and illustrators" p.31] [http://childrensliteraturenetwork.net/birthbios/brthpage/01jan/1-7chorao.html Birthday bio:Kay Chorao] from "Children Literature Network". Retrieved on August 9, 2008.] (some sources say 1937 [ [http://www.educationoasis.com/curriculum/calendar/january.htm Teacher's Calendar of Events] from "Education Oasis". Retrieved on August 9, 2008.] [Mossman, Jennifer. "New Pseudonyms and Nicknames: Second Supplement to Pseudonyms and Nicknames" p. 73] ) in Elkhart, Indiana, is an American artist, illustrator and writer of children's books.

Biography

Chorao was born in Elkhart, Indiana, United States, into a middle-class, suburban family. [http://books.google.com/books?id=Im_I_7j4VDcC&pg=PA165&lpg=PA165&dq=Albert's+Toothache+kay+chorao+Children's+Book+Showcase&source=web&ots=LqcIbq3T4d&sig=rxoaJWA_tyPyS17cnUxiyk0UYyk&hl=vi&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=3&ct=result#PPA165,M1The Continuum Encyclopedia of Children's Literature] Archived at Google Books] She loved and was encouraged to draw at a young age. Chorao went to Wheaton College, where in 1958 she earned a Bachelor of Arts in art history. [http://biography.jrank.org/pages/1708/Chorao-Ann-Mc-Kay-Sproat-1936.html Ann Mc)Kay (Sproat) Chorao biography] Retrieved on August 9, 2008.] After that, Chorao pursued her graduate study at Chelsea School of Art from 1958 to 1959.

Chorao got married and had three sons before moving to New York with her family. From 1966 to 1968, she studied book illustration at School of Visual Arts in New York.

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. Chorao published her first book, "The Repair of Uncle Toe", in 1972. Since then, she has written and illustrated more than fifty books. [ [http://us.macmillan.com/author/kaychorao Author Kay Chorao] from "Macmillan Books". Retrieved on August 9, 2008. ] Her illustrations have been exhibited several times by American Institute of Graphic Arts and Society of Illustrators. 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. [ [http://www.ucalgary.ca/~dKBrown/christopher.html The Christopher Awards : Books for Young People] Retrieved on August 9, 2008. ]

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. In 1979, her 1974 book "Ida Makes a Movie" was adapted into a short film by the same name. 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". [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE4DB1038F936A35751C1A96E948260&scp=2&sq=kay%20chorao&st=cse Books of The Times; For Junior Bibliophiles, 10 Favorites of the Year] from "The New York times". Retrieved on August 9, 2008. ]

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. [ [http://www.ala.org/ala/alsc/alscresources/booklists/booksgrow.cfm Books to Grow On] from "American Library Association" website. Retrieved on August 9, 2008.] 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. [ [http://www.njyac.org/booklists/pdf/all.pdf. Pick of the decade:1995-2005] from "njyac.org". Retrieved on August 9, 2008. ] 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. [ [http://www.ucalgary.ca/~dKBrown/iracc95.html Children's Choices for 1995] Retrieved on August 9, 2008.]

elected Bibliography

;Self-Illustrated
*A Magic Eye for Ida 1973.
*Ralph and the Queen's Bathtub 1974.
*Ida Makes a Movie 1974.
*The Baby's Lap Book (nursery rhymes) 1977, with color illustrations, 1990.
*The Baby's Bedtime Book (poems and rhymes) 1984.
*The Baby's Good Morning Book (poems and rhymes) 1986.
*Cathedral Mouse 1988.
*Baby's Christmas Treasury (poems, stories, and songs) 1991.
*Ida and Betty and the Secret Eggs 1991.
*Annie and Cousin Precious, Dutton (New York, NY), 1994.
*Jumpety-Bumpety Hop: A Parade of Animal Poems 1997.
*Little Farm by the Sea 1998.
*Here Comes Kate2000.

;Illustrator
*Barbara Williams, Albert's Toothache 1974.
*Barbara Williams, Kevin's Grandma 1975.
*Barbara Williams, Someday, Said Mitchell 1976.
*Jan Wahl, Frankenstein's Dog 1977
*Jan Wahl, Dracula's Cat 1978.
*Barbara Williams, Chester Chipmunk's Thanksgiving 1978.
*Marjorie Sharmat, Thornton the Worrier 1978.
*Marjorie Sharmat, Sometimes Mama and Papa Fight 1980.
*Judith Viorst, The Good-bye Book 1988.
*Barbara Seuling, Whose House? 2004.
*Jane Yolen, Grandma's Hurrying Child 2005.

References