Keiko Kasza facts for kids

Keiko Kasza is a talented author and illustrator of picture books. She was born in Japan but is also an American citizen. Her books are loved around the world and have been translated into many languages. You'll often find animals as the main characters in her stories!

Keiko Kasza's Life and Career

Keiko Kasza was born on December 23, 1951, in Innoshima City, Japan. She grew up in a big extended family with her parents, two brothers, and grandparents.

After finishing school in Japan, she moved to the United States. She studied at California State University at Northridge. In 1975, she earned a degree in graphic design. In 1976, she married Gregory J. Kasza, an American college professor. She then made the U.S. her permanent home.

At first, Keiko worked as a graphic designer. But she also enjoyed creating children's books as a hobby. She started writing these books when she and her husband lived in Ecuador.

First Books and Awards

Keiko Kasza published her very first book in Japan in 1981. Her first book released in the United States was The Wolf's Chicken Stew in 1987. This book was very popular and won the Kentucky Bluegrass Award in 1989.

Later, in 1997, her book A Mother for Choco was turned into a special audio recording. It was part of a mini-album called "Completely Yours." Famous actors like Paula Poundstone, Bea Arthur, and Mary Tyler Moore helped bring the story to life.

Keiko Kasza has even translated some of her own books into Japanese. Today, she lives in Bloomington, Indiana, with her husband. They have two sons.

Keiko Kasza's Creative Style

Keiko Kasza is known for creating children's books with animal characters. She often uses both humor and touching moments in her stories. Many of her ideas come from her own childhood memories.

For example, her book Dorothy and Mikey was inspired by a time she played hide-and-seek as a child. She remembered worrying that she might never be found!

How She Illustrates Her Books

Keiko Kasza often illustrates her books using pen, ink, and watercolor. Experts have noted that her drawings are very expressive. They usually have simple words and lots of white space around them. Her stories often end with a funny surprise or a visual joke.

Keiko Kasza's Books

• The Wolf's Chicken Stew (1987)
• The Pigs' Picnic (1988)
• A Mother for Choco (1992)
• The Rat and the Tiger (1993)
• Grandpa Toad's Secrets (1995)
• When the Elephant Walks (1997)
• Don't Laugh, Joe! (1997)
• Dorothy and Mikey (2000)
• The Mightiest (2001)
• My Lucky Day (2003)
• The Dog Who Cried Wolf (2005)
• Badger's Fancy Meal (2007)
• Ready for Anything! (2009)
• Silly Goose's Big Story (2012)
• My Lucky Birthday (2013)
• Finders Keepers (2015)

Awards and Special Recognitions

Keiko Kasza's books have received many awards and honors:

• 1987 – Notable Book, American Library Association for The Wolf's Chicken Stew
• 1989 – Kentucky Bluegrass Award for The Wolf's Chicken Stew
• 1997 – Prix Chronos for Grandpa Toad's Secrets
• 1998 – Charlotte Zolotow Honor Book for Don't Laugh, Joe!
• Indiana Young Hoosier Book Award for A Mother for Choco