Keiko Kasza was born on a small Japanese island in the Inland Sea
of Japan. She grew up in a typical Japanese extended family with
her parents, two brothers, and grandparents. Uncles, aunts, and
cousins also lived nearby. "All the steps I took growing up were
very normal," Ms. Kasza says. "The only unusual thing I did was go
to college in the United States." She graduated with a degree in
graphic design from California State University at Northridge. Ms.
Kasza married an American, and the United States has been her home
ever since.After publishing five children's books in Japan and
working as a graphic designer for fourteen years, Ms. Kasza decided
in 1988 to devote her time to picture books. She says, "Having two
small boys and two professions was too much to handle."Ms. Kasza
admires many great picture-book creators, such as Leo Lionni and
Maurice Sendak, but says that the work of Arnold Lobel has
influenced her the most. The subtle humor and warmth he created in
his books continues to inspire me," she says. "I often go back to
his work when I get discouraged or lose confidence."Ms. Kasza
compares the process of making a book to acting on stage under the
lights-
"I become the character that I'm working on at that moment. I
pretend that I'm a bird looking for a mother, or a pig trying to
impress his girlfriend. When I'm acting, I'm a child myself."Ms.
Kasza's ambition is not to create a hundred books, but to "create
one really good book that will be kept on the family bookshelves
for generations, although a hundred really good books would be even
better, of course!"Keiko Kasza lives in Indiana with her husband
and two sons.copyright 2000 by Penguin Putnam Books for Young
Readers. All rights reserved.
Keiko Kasza was born on a small Japanese island in the Inland Sea
of Japan. She grew up in a typical Japanese extended family with
her parents, two brothers, and grandparents. Uncles, aunts, and
cousins also lived nearby. "All the steps I took growing up were
very normal," Ms. Kasza says. "The only unusual thing I did was go
to college in the United States." She graduated with a degree in
graphic design from California State University at Northridge. Ms.
Kasza married an American, and the United States has been her home
ever since.After publishing five children's books in Japan and
working as a graphic designer for fourteen years, Ms. Kasza decided
in 1988 to devote her time to picture books. She says, "Having two
small boys and two professions was too much to handle."Ms. Kasza
admires many great picture-book creators, such as Leo Lionni and
Maurice Sendak, but says that the work of Arnold Lobel has
influenced her the most. The subtle humor and warmth he created in
his books continues to inspire me," she says. "I often go back to
his work when I get discouraged or lose confidence."Ms. Kasza
compares the process of making a book to acting on stage under the
lights-
"I become the character that I'm working on at that moment. I
pretend that I'm a bird looking for a mother, or a pig trying to
impress his girlfriend. When I'm acting, I'm a child myself."Ms.
Kasza's ambition is not to create a hundred books, but to "create
one really good book that will be kept on the family bookshelves
for generations, although a hundred really good books would be even
better, of course!"Keiko Kasza lives in Indiana with her husband
and two sons.copyright 2000 by Penguin Putnam Books for Young
Readers. All rights reserved.
“Children who have this book read to them at bedtime or story hour
will find it’s their lucky day, too.” --The Horn Book
"Kasza's gouache art is as buoyant and comical as her narrative,
and she skillfully uses multiple vignettes to convey the fox's
arduous preparations. The animals' facial expressions alone could
carry this tale." --Publisher's Weekly, starred review
Winner of 11 children's choice awards!
Ladybug Picture Book Award Winner (New Hampshire)
Nevada Young Reader’s Award Winner
Arizona Young Readers’ Award Winner
Monarch Award Winner (Illinois)
Young Hoosier Book Award Winner
North Carolina Children’s Books Award Winner
Georgia Children’s Book Award Winner
Buckaroo Book Award Winner (Wyoming)
Treasure State Award Winner (Montana)
Golden Sower Award Winner (Nebraska)
California Young Readers Medal Winner
Great Lakes Great Books Award Honor Book
Kasza (The Wolf's Chicken Stew) introduces another ravenous creature in this witty twist on a familiar theme. While sharpening his claws to hunt for his breakfast, a not-so-sly fox answers a knock on his door and finds a tasty-looking piglet. "This must be my lucky day!... How often does dinner come knocking on the door?" he exclaims, grabbing both the pig and a roasting pan. But when the quick-thinking, dirty piglet suggests that he would be a better meal if he were clean, the fox prepares him a soothing bath. When the piglet comments that he would provide more meat if he were fatter, the fox dons a chef's hat and serves up spaghetti and freshly baked cookies. And when, nestled in the roasting pan surrounded by vegetables and being placed in the oven, the piglet reflects that he would make a more tender roast if he had a massage, the fox complies. Exhausted from his exertions, the fox collapses on the floor, leaving the piglet to skip home-with the rest of the cookies-proclaiming, "This must be my lucky day." In a final funny flourish, the last page shows the pig relaxing in front of a fire, reading a directory of other predators (with the fox's name crossed out), wondering whom he will visit next. Kasza's gouache art is as buoyant and comical as her narrative, and she skillfully uses multiple vignettes to convey the fox's arduous preparations. The animals' facial expressions alone could carry this tale. Ages 4-8. (Sept.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
"Children who have this book read to them at bedtime or story hour
will find it's their lucky day, too." --The Horn Book
"Kasza's gouache art is as buoyant and comical as her narrative,
and she skillfully uses multiple vignettes to convey the fox's
arduous preparations. The animals' facial expressions alone could
carry this tale." --Publisher's Weekly, starred review
Winner of 11 children's choice awards!
Ladybug Picture Book Award Winner (New Hampshire)
Nevada Young Reader's Award Winner
Arizona Young Readers' Award Winner
Monarch Award Winner (Illinois)
Young Hoosier Book Award Winner
North Carolina Children's Books Award Winner
Georgia Children's Book Award Winner
Buckaroo Book Award Winner (Wyoming)
Treasure State Award Winner (Montana)
Golden Sower Award Winner (Nebraska)
California Young Readers Medal Winner
Great Lakes Great Books Award Honor Book
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