Chris Soentpiet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chris Soentpiet
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| Born | Han Kun Seop January 3, 1970 Seoul, South Korea |
| Occupation | Writer, illustrator, artist |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Pratt Institute |
| Genre | Children's literature |
| Notable works | Coolies (2001) |
| Spouse | Yin (m. 1970) |
Chris K. Soentpiet was born on January 3, 1970, in Seoul, South Korea. He is a Korean American artist who writes and illustrates books for children. When he was 8 years old, he moved to Hawaii to live with his new family. A year later, his family moved again to Portland, Oregon. Today, Chris Soentpiet lives and works in New York City.
Chris Soentpiet's first book, Around Town, came out in 1994. He wrote and illustrated this picture book himself. Since then, he has become a well-known and award-winning illustrator in the world of children's books. His books have won many awards. These include the International Reading Association Teachers' Choice Award and the Parents' Choice Gold Award. He also visits schools to talk about his work.
For his book Peacebound Trains, Chris Soentpiet went back to South Korea. This was his first visit since he was adopted in 1978. In 1996, he won a special award, the Society of Illustrators Gold Medal, for his beautiful paintings in Peacebound Trains. The United States Department of Defense even published an online version of this book. It was featured on their Korean War commemoration website. Peacebound Trains is the only book to receive this special honor. Chris Soentpiet has said that other artists, Ted Lewin and Betsy Lewin, encouraged him to become a children's book illustrator.
Awards and Special Recognitions
Chris Soentpiet's books have won many awards and been chosen for special lists. Three of the books he illustrated were picked by the Junior Library Guild. These were So Far from the Sea (1998), Coolies (2001), and Brothers (2007).
The Association for Library Service to Children also named three of his illustrated books as "Notable Children's Books." These were More Than Anything Else (1996), Molly Bannaky (2000), and Coolies (2002). In 1995, The Last Dragon by Susan Miho Nunes was named a "Notable Book for Children" by the Smithsonian magazine.
Here are some other awards and honors Chris Soentpiet's books have received:
- 1995, 1996: American Bookseller Pick of the List
- 1995, 1997: Notable Children's Trade Books in the Field of Social Studies
- 1996: Black History Top 25 Pick for Youth
- 1996: Chicago Tribune Top 10 Children Books
- 1996, 2000, 2004: The International Reading Award Teachers' Choice Award
- 1996, 1997: American Bookseller Pick of the List
- 1998: International Reading Award Notable Book for a Global Society
- 1998: NCSS-CBC Notable Trade Book in Field of Social Studies
- 1998: Parents Best Children's Book of the Year
- 2000: Texas Bluebonnet Award-Nominee
- 2001: Maryland Children's Book Award-Nominee
- 2001: Nest Literary Classics
- 2003: Child Best Book of the Year
- 2004: Children's Book Sense 76 Pick
- 2005: Kansas State Reading Circle
- 2006-2007: Master Reading List, Volunteer State Book Award
- NCSS/CBC Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies
- San Francisco Chronicles Best Book List
- Peggy Sharp, Ed.D Pick 2000
- North Carolina Children's Book Award
- New York Public Library Top 100 Titles
Major Awards for Soentpiet's Books
| Year | Title | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | More than Anything Else | ILA Children’s and Young Adults’ Book Award | Winner | |
| 1999 | Molly Bannaky | Jane Addams Children's Book Award | Winner | |
| 1999 | FOCAL Award Best Book | Winner | ||
| 2000 | Golden Kite Award | Honor | ||
| 2000 | Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Award | Winner | ||
| 2001 | Coolies | Parents' Choice Award | Winner | |
| 2001-03 | Coolies | Asian/Pacific American Awards for Literature: Picture Book | Honor | |
| 2006-07 | Brothers | Asian/Pacific American Awards for Literature: Picture Book | Honor | |
| 2015 | Amazing Places | Parents' Choice Award for Poetry | Winner |
More About Chris Soentpiet
You can find out more about Chris Soentpiet and his work through these links:
- Newsday: "From Dark to Light: An artist paints a new life through his books"
- New York Daily News: "Children's Book Artist is a Medal Winner"
- Korean Quarterly: "Evoking History with Art"
