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
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
Following my muse has worked out pretty well so far. I can't see any reason to change the formula now. Chris Van Allsburg changeformulamuse Change image and share on social
People have asked me a lot, 'What comes first? The pictures or the story? The story or the picture?' It's hard to describe because often they seem to come at the same time. I'm seeing images while I'm thinking of the story. Chris Van Allsburg askdescribehard 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