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Chris Soentpiet facts for kids

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Chris Soentpiet
Born Han Kun Seop
(1970-01-03) January 3, 1970 (age 55)
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 (born January 3, 1970) is a talented Korean American artist. He is famous for illustrating and writing children's books. Chris was born in Seoul, South Korea, in 1970.

When he was 8 years old, Chris moved to Hawaii. He lived there with his new adoptive family. A year later, his family moved again to Portland, Oregon. Today, Chris Soentpiet lives and works in New York City.

Chris's first book, Around Town, came out in 1994. He both wrote and illustrated this picture book. Since then, Chris has become a very well-known illustrator. His books have won many important awards. These include the Parents' Choice Gold Award and the NAACP Image Award. He also visits schools often to share his work.

For his book Peacebound Trains, Chris did a lot of research. This book was written by Haemi Balgassi. To learn more, Chris traveled back to South Korea. It was his first visit since he was adopted in 1978. In 1996, Chris won a Gold Medal from the Society of Illustrators. This was for his amazing paintings in Peacebound Trains. The United States Department of Defense even published the book online. They also added a special guide for teachers. Peacebound Trains is the only book to get this special honor.

Chris often shares that Ted Lewin and Betsy Lewin encouraged him. They helped him decide to become a children's book illustrator.

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Chris Soentpiet's Amazing Awards

Chris Soentpiet's books have won many awards. These awards show how much people love his art and stories. Here are some of the special honors his books have received.

Junior Library Guild Selections

Three of the books Chris illustrated were chosen by the Junior Library Guild. This means they are highly recommended for young readers.

  • So Far from the Sea (1998)
  • Coolies (2001)
  • Brothers (2007)

Notable Children's Books

The Association for Library Service to Children also picked three of his books. They named them "Notable Children's Books."

  • More Than Anything Else (1996)
  • Molly Bannaky (2000)
  • Coolies (2002)

In 1995, The Last Dragon by Susan Miho Nunes was honored. The Smithsonian magazine named it a Notable Book for Children.

Other Special Honors

Chris Soentpiet's books have also received many other important awards. These awards come from different groups and magazines.

  • 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

Awards for Specific Books

Here is a table showing some of the awards Chris Soentpiet's books have won.

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

Learn 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"
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