I've always thought of the book as a visual art form, and it should represent a single artistic idea, which it does if you write your own material. Chris Van Allsburg artartisticbook Change image and share on social
I don't like to travel. Yet all my books seem to involve a journey. Chris Van Allsburg bookinvolvejourney Change image and share on social
'The Polar Express' began with the idea of a train standing alone in the woods. I asked myself, 'What if a boy gets on that train? Where does he go?' Chris Van Allsburg askbeginboy Change image and share on social
The whole idea of being mesmerized and not in control of your own actions is fascinating and a little spooky. I remember hearing about someone who'd gone to a magic act, and a person in the audience had become hypnotized by observing too closely what magician was doing on stage, and thought it was spooky to lose your consciousness that way. Chris Van Allsburg actactionaudience share on social
I don't know if what kids really want is a hamster. What they want is a dog. So the hamster ends up being a substitute: 'Well, would you accept this?' Chris Van Allsburg acceptdogend Change image and share on social
Growing up in the 1950s, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, boys were supposed to be athletic. Chris Van Allsburg 1950sathleticboy Change image and share on social
I was about 28-29 when I wrote my first story, and that was called 'The Garden of Abdul Gasazi.' Chris Van Allsburg abdulcallgarden Change image and share on social
I don't like to get scared - it's not one of the emotions I enjoy. So I have to assume that if there are scary things in my books, they aren't very scary. Chris Van Allsburg assumebookemotion Change image and share on social
Brainstorming, for me, takes place in my bed at night between the time I turn out my lights and I finally fall asleep. It is not a very violent storm, but what's happening is I am just thinking about different ideas and maybe things I've seen that day that I think might make a good story. Chris Van Allsburg asleepbedbrainstorm share on social