The Polar Express is about faith, and the power of imagination to sustain faith. It's also about the desire to reside in a world where magic can happen, the kind of world we all believed in as children, but one that disappears as we grow older. Chris Van Allsburg believechilddesire share on social
Some artists claim praise is irrelevant in measuring the success of art, but I think it's quite relevant. Besides, it makes me feel great. Chris Van Allsburg artartistclaim Change image and share on social
I love the idea of a tiny window between the back stoop and the pantry, where the milkman would pass through the cheese. But of course, there is no milkman anymore. So somebody coming by the house and seeing the window would say, 'Oh, that must be original, because that's where the milkman passed the cheese through to the pantry.' Chris Van Allsburg anymorebackcheese share on social
The general effect of viewing 'Jumanji' is thrilling. I was able to see on film a thing that at one point had only existed in my imagination. I got to see the images from my book come alive. Chris Van Allsburg alivebookeffect Change image and share on social
There's definitely a value in being literate. Chris Van Allsburg literate Change image and share on social
I try to satisfy the desires that people have to have their books personalized. That's a value, or feature, of bibliophilia that may vanish. How do you get your e-book signed? The idea of people standing in line to get my signature in their book, it's hard to turn them away. Chris Van Allsburg bibliophiliabookdesire share on social
The crudest thing I've done as a teacher was to require students to write a national anthem for their country and sing it themselves. Chris Van Allsburg anthemcountrycrude Change image and share on social
I think, for the most part, our culture embraces that artists are born, not made. Chris Van Allsburg artistbearculture Change image and share on social
It was the case for a number of years that I was doing a book a year, but that was back when I was part-time teaching - and since 1991, I've been a parent, so that cuts into the time! Chris Van Allsburg backbookcase Change image and share on social
It did occur to me that certainly African-Americans are not underserved in picture books, but those books are almost all about specifically black experiences. Chris Van Allsburg africanamericanblack Change image and share on social