Kay Chorao facts for kids

Kay Chorao, whose real name is Ann McKay Sproat, was born on January 7, 1936, in Elkhart, Indiana, USA. She is an American artist, illustrator, and writer. She is well-known for creating many wonderful children's books.

About Kay Chorao

Kay Chorao grew up in Elkhart, Indiana, in a regular family. From a young age, she loved to draw, and her family encouraged her talent. She went to Laurel School in Shaker Heights, OH.

After high school, Kay attended Wheaton College. In 1958, she earned a degree in art history. She then continued her studies at Chelsea School of Art from 1958 to 1959.

Later, Kay Chorao got married and had three sons. Her family moved to New York. From 1966 to 1968, she studied how to illustrate books at the School of Visual Arts in New York.

Kay Chorao's Career

Kay Chorao not only writes her own children's books but also draws pictures for many other authors. Some of these authors include Jane Yolen, Judith Viorst, Jan Wahl, and Marjorie Sharmat.

Her first book, The Repair of Uncle Toe, was published in 1972. Since then, she has written and illustrated more than fifty books! Her beautiful drawings have been shown many times by groups like the American Institute of Graphic Arts and the Society of Illustrators.

Kay Chorao has won the Christopher Award twice. She first won in 1979 for illustrating Chester Chipmunk's Thanksgiving by Barbara Williams. Her second win was in 1989 for illustrating The Good-Bye Book by Judith Viorst.

Popular Books and Adaptations

In 1975, Kay Chorao illustrated Albert's Toothache by Barbara Williams. This book was very popular and received special recognition from the American Library Association.

In 1979, her 1974 book Ida Makes a Movie was made into a short film. This film later helped inspire the famous Degrassi TV shows for teens.

In 1988, Kay Chorao published Cathedral Mouse. Critics loved this book, and New York Times even named it one of the ten best children's picture books of that year.

In 1990, the American Library Association chose her book Baby's Lap Book for their "Books to Grow On" list for babies. The next year, her book Here Comes Kate was named one of the "Best books for children" by several libraries. In 1994, her book Annie and Cousin Precious was chosen by the International Reading Association as one of the "Children's Choices" for 1995.

Selected Works by Kay Chorao

As Writer and Illustrator

• The Repair of Uncle Toe (1972)
• A Magic Eye for Ida (1973)
• Ralph and the Queen's Bathtub (1974)
• Ida Makes a Movie (1974)
• Maudie's Umbrella (1975)
• Here Comes Kate (1982, 2000)
• Cathedral Mouse (1988)
• Ida and Betty and the Secret Eggs (1991)
• Annie and Cousin Precious (1994)
• Jumpety-Bumpety Hop: A Parade of Animal Poems (1997)
• Little Farm by the Sea (1998)

"Baby" Series

• The Baby's Lap Book: Nursery Rhymes (1977, re-released with color illustrations in 1990)
• The Baby's Bedtime Book: Poems and Rhymes (1984)
• The Baby's Good Morning Book: Poems and Rhymes (1986)
• The Baby's Christmas Treasury: Poems, Stories, and Songs (1991)

Oink and Pearl Series

1. Oink and Pearl (1981)
2. Ups and Downs with Oink and Pearl (1986)

As Illustrator Only

• The Witch's Egg by Madeleine Edmondson (1974)
• Clyde Monster by Robert L. Crowe (1976)
• Whose House? by Barbara Seuling (2004)
• Grandma's Hurrying Child by Jane Yolen (2005)

Books by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat

Books by Marjorie W. Sharmat that are illustrated by Kay Chorao:

• I'm Terrific (1977)
• Thornton the Worrier (1978)
• Grumley the Grouch (1980)
• Sometimes Mama and Papa Fight (1980)

Books by Judith Viorst

Books by Judith Viorst that are illustrated by Kay Chorao:

• My Mama Says there Aren't any Zombies, Ghosts, Vampires, Creatures, Demons, Monsters, Fiends, Goblins, or Things (1973)
• The Good-bye Book (1988)

Books by Jan Wahl

Books by Jan Wahl that are illustrated by Kay Chorao:

• Frankenstein's Dog (1977)
• Dracula's Cat (1978)

Books by Barbara Williams

Books by Barbara Williams that are illustrated by Kay Chorao:

• Albert's Toothache (1974)
• Kevin's Grandma (1975)
• Someday, Said Mitchell (1976)
• Chester Chipmunk's Thanksgiving (1978)
• A Valentine for Cousin Archie (1981)