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A video interview with

Chris Van Allsburg

Chris Van Allsburg

Chris Van Allsburg is the author and illustrator of many celebrated children's books such as The Polar Express and Jumanji. In this exclusive video interview with Reading Rockets, Chris Van Allsburg talks about his big breakthrough, his books, and their transformation into movies.

Click on the links below§ to watch this interview online or to download it. You can also read the interview transcript or a short biography of Chris Van Allsburg, or see a selected list of his children's books.

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  • Art school (1:40)

    Watch this video clip to find out how Chris Van Allsburg got into art school the unconventional way.

  • Hands-on (2:00)

    The only drawings that Chris Van Allsburg did in art school were of his sculptures.

  • A young artist (2:00)

    One of Van Allsburg's early breaks came at the Whitney Museum.

  • The Impatient Dinner Guest (1:30)

    Van Allsburg turned down his first offers from publishers because he didn't want to illustrate stories that weren't interesting to him.

  • Abdul Gasazi (2:45)

    Van Allsburg was as surprised as anyone when his first book received so much attention.

  • At the art table (2:00)

    Van Allsburg explains why thinking of your audience too much can contaminate the artistic process.

  • The Polar Express (1:40)

    Chris Van Allsburg talks about how he wrote this holiday classic.

  • Hiding Fritz (2:20)

    As a fun aside, Chris Van Allsburg draws this famous bull terrier into every one of his books.

  • From book to film (2:00)

    Chris Van Allsburg discusses the changes that his books undergo when they are made into movies.

  • Zathura (3:00)

    Van Allsburg talks about why he made this new sequel to Jumanji.

See also

§ To play this clip, you'll need a copy of the free RealOne Player. Most computers already have it installed, or you can download it now.

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