Chris Raschka Books

From Caldecott Award winner Chris Raschka, tales of unforgettable characters who live in a NYC apartment building “To the company of ur-New Yorkers like Stuart Little, Harriet the Spy, and Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile, let me hold open the door for The Doorman’s Repose. A new favorite." —Gregory Maguire “….marvelously intriguing stories…” —Lemony Snicket Some of us look up at those craggy, mysterious apartment buildings found in the posher parts of New York City and wonder what goes on inside. The Doorman’s Repose collects ten stories about 777 Garden Avenue, one of the craggiest. The first story recounts the travails of the new doorman, who excels at all his tasks except perhaps the most important one—talking baseball. Others tell of a long-forgotten room, a cupid-like elevator, and the unlikely romance of a cerebral psychologist and a jazz musician, both of whom are mice. Because the animals talk and the machinery has feelings, these are children’s stories. Otherwise they are for anyone intrigued by what happens when many people, strangers or kin, live together under one roof.

Winner of the 2012 Randolph Caldecott Medal This New York Times Bestseller and New York Times Best Illustrated Book relates a story about love and loss as only Chris Rashcka can tell it. Any child who has ever had a beloved toy break will relate to Daisy's anguish when her favorite ball is destroyed by a bigger dog. In the tradition of his nearly wordless picture book Yo! Yes?, Caldecott Medalist Chris Raschka explores in pictures the joy and sadness that having a special toy can bring. Raschka's signature swirling, impressionistic illustrations and his affectionate story will particularly appeal to young dog lovers and teachers and parents who have children dealing with the loss of something special.

A church is a weighty thing, isn’t it? Its doors are heavy and hard to budge. Its walls are made of stone. And there may be strange or even scary pictures inside. How can a small person make sense of these intimidating places? Two-time Caldecott medalist Chris Raschka shares his mother’s wonderful way of visiting a church: what they would call saint spotting. Each visit to a church becomes an adventure, a trip through the stories that have shaped centuries of faith.Playful and poignant, this beautifully illustrated book introduces readers to saints and symbols through the warm bond between a mother and son. From bookish Paul to faithful Mary Magdalene, from musical Cecilia to animal-loving Francis, there’s a fascinating saint to discover in every corner. 

Celebrating the legacy of jazz icon Sun Ra, this book by Caldecott Medalist Chris Raschka captures the essence of the musician's innovative spirit and unique contributions to music. Timed with the centennial of Sun Ra's birth, it offers a vibrant exploration of his artistry and influence, making it a fitting tribute for both jazz enthusiasts and new readers alike.

Winner of the 2012 Randolph Caldecott Medal This New York Times Bestseller and New York Times Best Illustrated Book relates a story about love and loss as only Chris Rashcka can tell it. Any child who has ever had a beloved toy break will relate to Daisy's anguish when her favorite ball is destroyed by a bigger dog. In the tradition of his nearly wordless picture book Yo! Yes?, Caldecott Medalist Chris Raschka explores in pictures the joy and sadness that having a special toy can bring. Raschka's signature swirling, impressionistic illustrations and his affectionate story will particularly appeal to young dog lovers and teachers and parents who have children dealing with the loss of something special.

Two lonely characters, one black and one white, meet on the street and become friends.

Ever hear of Charlie Parker? The great jazz saxaphone player?

Audacious and extraordinary, this picture book is not a portrait of the great pianist and composer Thelonious Monk. Imagine, instead, that the music of Mr. Monk were to sit for a portrait. It might look something like this -- enticing and unexpected, richly colored and patterned, brilliantly executed. Inspired by one of Monk's best-loved compositions, "Mysterioso", Mr. Raschka matched the twelve musical tones of the diatonic scale to the twelve color values of the color wheel, then set paint strokes for notes and color washes for harmonies. "There were", the text says of Mr. Monk, "no wrong notes on his piano". There are, as well, no wrong notes in this astonishing tribute to his genius.

"A must for Daisy fans everywhere," declares School Library Journal in a starred review. With the same emotional intensity that he brought to his New York Times bestselling, New York Times Best Illustrated, and Caldecott Medal-winning picture book A Ball for Daisy, Raschka has created a story that explores fear as only he can. Any child who has ever felt lost will relate to Daisy's despair upon finding herself in an unfamiliar part of the park after chasing a squirrel. In a nearly wordless picture book, Daisy encounters the unease of being lost and the joys of being found. Raschka's signature swirling, impressionistic illustrations and his affectionate story will particularly appeal to young dog lovers, teachers, parents and, of course, the legions of Daisy fans out there.

Set in a whimsical world, this middle grade adventure explores themes of good and evil through the lens of feline characters. The narrative, enriched by the unique artistic style of two-time Caldecott Medal winner Chris Raschka, captivates young readers with its engaging plot and charming illustrations. The story promises to delight cat lovers and adventure seekers alike, blending humor and moral lessons in a captivating way.

"A picture book biography of Mary Lou Williams, an American jazz pianist and composer who wrote hundreds of compositions, recorded hundreds of songs, and wrote arrangements for Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman, and is an artist often overlooked in the canon of American music because of her gender and skin color"-- Provided by publisher

The THINGY THINGS are Chris Raschka at his best - short, sweet and hilarious.

Celebrating the themes of family, community, and generosity, this picture book by two-time Caldecott Medalist Chris Raschka is ideal for gatherings of loved ones. Its beautiful illustrations and heartfelt message make it a perfect choice for any occasion focused on gratitude and togetherness.

“[Raschka's] marvelous sequences, fluid style, and emotional intelligence capture all of the momentum and exhilaration of this glorious accomplishment,” raves School Library Journal in a starred review.Learning to ride a bike is one of the most important milestones of childhood, and no one captures the emotional ups and downs of the experience better than Chris Raschka, who won the 2012 Caldecott Medal for A Ball for Daisy. In this simple yet emotionally rich "guide," a father takes his daughter through all the steps in the process—from choosing the perfect bicycle to that triumphant first successful ride. Using very few words and lots of expressive pictures, here is a picture book that not only shows kids how to learn to ride, but captures what it feels like to fall . . . get up . . . fall again . . . and finally "by luck, grace, and determination" ride a bicycle!

The THINGY THINGS are Chris Raschka at his best - short, sweet and hilarious.

The THINGY THINGS are Chris Raschka at his best - short, sweet and hilarious.

Two-time Caldecott Medal winner Chris Raschka celebrates the enduring bond between best friends-a young girl and her cat.

From celebrated picture book creators Chris Raschka and Vladimir Radunsky comes one possible answer to the age-old question: Who was Mother Goose? We all love to hear Mother Goose rhymes and riddles. But did you know that there was a real Mother Goose who lived in Boston three hundred years ago? In 1692, Elizabeth Foster married a widower with ten children. His name was Isaac Goose, and after they married, Elizabeth became Mother Goose. She and Isaac had six more children together, and to help her care for such a big and boisterous family, Mother Goose sang songs and lullabies and made up rhymes and poems. Her nursery rhymes and stories were published at a print shop on Pudding Lane in Boston, though no copies of her book exist today. In a book featuring some of Mother Goose's best-loved works, Vladimir Radunsky's bright and humorous illustrations and Chris Raschka's rhyming poems tell the little-known story of the Goose children, Isaac and Elizabeth herself - the Mother Goose of Pudding Lane.

A heartwarming dialogue unfolds between a mother and her baby, capturing the tender moments of their relationship. This picture book, crafted by Caldecott Medalist Chris Raschka, is designed for the youngest readers, offering a sweet and simple exploration of love and connection. The charming illustrations complement the gentle narrative, making it an ideal choice for early childhood reading.