Chris Demarest
Chris Demarest lives in a small town in New Hampshire in a cozy house that has a very large front room-it used to be part of a market. That room now houses his office and also serves as the main gathering place since it has a large wood burning stove. Known for his delightful board and children's picture books, Chris is now undertaking several new ventures. He is collaborating with another writer and trying his hand at creating pop-ups.
He majored in fine art at the University of Massachusetts and studied print making. He took time off from his studies and lived in Maine where he shared a place with friends and painted. Later he headed West to Seattle where he painted houses and did a lot of thinking. After a year, he returned East to work for a magazine and made connections in the children's book publishing world. Since then he has completed 137 books and illustrating is his only job, although he does take occasional non-book assignments.
One of his most recent books, Firefighters A to Z, was originally sold to another publisher and went through four changes of editors. Finally on a visit to New York with the finished art, he sold the book on the spot. It has done quite well and gotten good reviews. He will be following it with a counting book about smokejumpers. He takes his smokejumper suit with him when he does school visits and it is a real draw. Chris spent time with the smokejumpers and did everything except jump out of the plane. Not that he wasn't willing, but regulations prohibited it.
He uses mostly watercolors for his illustrations, but Firefighters was done in pastel which was a real challenge; now he is using acrylics. For his transportation series, he wanted to do wood cuts, but ended up creating paintings that looked like woodcuts. He tries to visualize the style and medium that best fits the story.
Chris is very busy-he averages two major books a year and three small ones. He also has the ability to work on several projects simultaneously. Chris also enjoys school visits and has taught at Chautauqua, which afforded an opportunity to meet other authors, illustrators, editors and publishers. He used to have an agent, but feels it is unnecessary at this stage of his career.
Contributor: Marilyn Courtot
Reviews
All Aboard!
Chris L. Demarest
What a treat, this fold out book opens to become a train nearly five feet long. One side shows the cars and names them and the other side reveals what is happening inside the car. It is great for discussion, and the sturdy cardboard pages should hold up reasonably well. The book comes with a slipcase. 1997, Red Wagon/Harcourt, Ages 1 to 3, $7.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-15-201413-6
The Animals' Song
David L. Harrison
Illustrated by Chris L. Demarest
The same pair that brought us the award winning, When the Cows Come Home, Harrison and Demarest now combine their talents in this watercolor, syncopated crescendo of a story. The colors and sounds build upon each other to create a joyous parade that pulls the reader in to march in step. 1997, Boyds Mills Press, Ages 2 up, $14.95. Reviewer: Jessy Deutsch
ISBN: 1-56397-144-5
April Fool
Harriet Ziefert
Illustrated by Chris Demarest
Will is walking to school with his pals Sam and Cory. As they head for school, he tells a story about an elephant he once saw. The story grows more and more outlandish and the group of kids listening also grows. Will has pushed his tale to its limits "He stood on one leg and sang through his trunk. He started to juggle six bags full of junk." The kids finally call him a liar and he replies "April Fool!" Demarest's watercolors bring the madcap elephant to life and make this amusing story work. Ziefert helps beginning readers by using simple sentences, a repetitive text and simple rhyme. A "Viking Easy-to-Read" book, level 1, Preschool to Grade 1. 2000, Viking, $13.89 and $3.99. Ages 4 to 7. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0670887625
ISBN: 0141305827
Bikes for Rent!
Isaac Olaleye
Illustrated by Chris Demarest
Lateef, a poor boy living in a western Nigeria village, works hard collecting firewood and mushrooms in the rain forest. He sells them in the marketplace so he can rent a beat-up bicycle to ride around the hills and jump potholes with his friends. However, he really wants to rent and ride the beautiful new red bike, but shopkeeper Babatunde is reluctant to rent his best vehicle to one who might mistreat it. Lateef finally earns his trust only to confirm the man's suspicions when he crashes it by taking a hill too fast and bending the frame and tires. But Lateef promises to work for Babatunde to pay off the damaged bike and in so doing, he learns a trade of putting together new bikes from old parts. Piece by piece, he earns his own, almost-new bike. Like Tololwa Mollel's My Rows and Piles of Coins (Clarion, 1999) set in Tanzania, this book extols the virtues of hard work and the joys of owning a bicycle. Demarest's watercolor illustrations are fresh, with bold, black, loosely lined shapes and a pleasant ochre, brown and green palette. The challenges of riding are sure to strike a chord with new bike riders; especially since mountain bikes and trail riding are so popular. Maybe the book will generate some cross-cultural identification, dealing, as it does, with the universal appeal of owning your own wheels. 2001, Orchard, $16.95. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Susan Hepler
ISBN: 0531302903
ISBN: 053133290X
Casey in the Bath
Cynthia DeFelice
Pictures by Chris L. Demarest
Casey hated bathtime more than anything else until an Ambrosial Products representative comes selling merchandise door to door. Casey's mother, willing to try anything to lure Casey into the tub, purchases a product guaranteed to make bathtime a thrilling experience. If the bathtime struggle is familiar to young readers, they'll love this book and yearn for a visit of their own from the Ambrosial Products rep. If young readers are natural born soakers, they'll love reading this book and imagining similar bathtime adventures. First published in shortened form in Cricket magazine in 1990, this book by a well known author of intermediate fiction will have wide audience appeal. 1996, A Sunburst Book/Farrar Straus Giroux, Ages 4 to 8, $14.00 and $4.95. Reviewer: Judy Katsh
ISBN: 0-374-31173-0
ISBN: 0-374-41049-6
The Cowboy ABC
Illustrated by Chris Demarest
This labor of love pictures words related to a cowboy's life-appaloosa, buckaroo, cattle on down the alphabet to X as the cowboy's mark, yearlings, and Z, the sound at the end of the day (a cowboy sleeping under the stars is shown). Demarest's watercolors are tinged with traildust, humor is in his choice of words and what he has chosen to depict, but the stylish pictures are realistic and detailed enough to be informative, especially to younger children. Demarest grew up in the fifties and explains in a note how he wanted to speak visually for cowboys and show a bit of their lives to contemporary children. Preschoolers will like the organizational device and older children will appreciate the artist's skill in presentation. 1999, DK Publishing, Ages 4 to 9, $15.95. Reviewer: Susan Hepler
ISBN: 0-7894-2509-2
Ding-Dong, Trick or Treat!
Hariet Ziefert
Illustrated by Chris Demarest
In a rhyming text, readers join the trick-or-treaters who are ringing the doorbells seeking all manner of delicious things to eat. Lifting the flaps shows the success they have in collecting candy, juice and plenty of other goodies. There are extra dollops of humor, such as one kid telling his friend not to be so piggy--of course that kid is wearing a pig costume and is happily munching a candy bar. At the end of their neighborhood rounds, they all gather at one house to have a big Halloween party. Cheery watercolor illustrations depict a happy group of kids in what appears to be a very suburban neighborhood with little ethnic diversity. 2001, Grosset & Dunlop/Penguin Putnam, $11.99. Ages 3 to 5. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-448-42513-0
A Dozen Dozens
Harriet Ziefert
Illustrations by Chris Demarest
One of the "Puffin Easy-to-Read" math books for ages 5-8 (Level 2), this picture book demonstrates variations on dozens through engaging illustrations and imaginative verses. Examples range from a dozen piglets to half a dozen apples, to six pairs of socks for a dozen feet. Then it's two sets of triplets, "that's half a dozen kids," and "Half a dozen acrobats, Twelve legs in the air..." 1998, Puffin, Ages 5 to 8, $3.99. Reviewer: Linnea Hendrickson
ISBN: 0-14-038819-2
Fall
Chris L. Demarest
In Fall, the sun is a little lower in the sky, and when the book is opened, the sun's rays are really golden leaves. In this board book, kids learn about fall sights and activities-birds migrating, apples and pumpkins ripening, and squirrels gathering nuts. Each page is a window into the next in this attractive book that can engage further discussion. Also in the series are Summer, Spring, and Winter. 1996, Red Wagon/Harcourt, Ages 1 to 3, $4.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-15-201026-2
Farmer Nat
Chris Demarest
Farmer Nat rises at dawn with the rooster's song and puts on his big farmer's hat. Kids follow him around the farm where questions are posed about the various animals. The flaps hide animals that the text describes and then kids lift the flap to see if they guessed correctly. It should be fun for little ones, especially lifting Farmer Nat's big hat in the last scene. The construction is sturdy and should hold up to repeated use. Caregivers better know their farm animals since the flap only shows a picture and no text. 1998, Harcourt, Ages 2 to 5, $10.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-15-200113-1
Firefighters A to Z
Chris L. Demarest
This book arrived just in time for fire safety week, making it the perfect trial situation. It was a big hit with the kindergarten. The format is a familiar "A is for...", but the text has a rhythm that keeps it fresh. A storyline is contained within the format; it takes the reader from the first ring of the alarm to a fire scene, and ends with the tired firefighters zipping into bed for a rest. Interesting objects are introduced throughout the story-ones that are foreign to those outside of the field. The author (who is a volunteer firefighter) adds a note at the end of the story to explain the dangers of fire and why it is so important to educate children about the business of firefighting. Large, colorful illustrations dominate each page to bring the simple lines of text to life. 2000, Margaret K. McElderry/Simon & Schuster, Ages 5 to 8, $16.95. Reviewer: Carol Lynch
ISBN: 0-689-83798-4
Honk!
Chris L. Demarest
Little Goose is lost and he is searching for his mother. Kids accompany him, lifting flaps to see if Mama Goose is there. Caregivers can rest assured knowing that the last flap uncovers Mama whose joy at finding her little one is quite evident. There is nothing terribly original about this story, but it is a book that young kids will enjoy. 1998, Boyds Mills Press, Ages 1 to 3, $9.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 1-56397-221-2
I Need a Valentine!
Harriet Ziefert
Illustrated by Chris Demarest
Margery keeps looking in her mailbox for a valentine, but there is nothing there. Mama suggests that if she sends a valentine, then she will receive one. Off goes a great big valentine for grandpa. Then she checks the mailbox again, but it is still empty and Margery is angry and throws her toys. Finally there is a special gift in the mailbox. This interactive lift the flap story appears to encourage selfishness and bad behavior. One shouldn't give just to get, and throwing toys because you are mad also is not constructive. There are better choices for Valentine's Day. 1999, Little Simon, Ages 2 to 5, $5.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-689-81993-5
If Dogs Had Wings
Larry Dane Brimner
Illustrated by Chris L. Demarest
A fanciful consideration of what dogs would and could do, if they only had Wings. Demarest's whimsical but sometimes jagged watercolor drawings might be a bit intimidating for younger readers, but dog lovers of all ages will appreciate this "what if" tale (or is it tail?) 1996, Boyds Mills Press, Ages 4 up, $14.95. Reviewer: Wendy Keen
ISBN: 1-56397-146-1
Lindbergh
Chris L. Demarest
Here is the incredible account of Lucky Lindy's attempt to be the first pilot to solo across the vast Atlantic. Watercolor vistas with wondrous perspectives join with simple, absorbing narrative to relate the spirit of a daredevil pilot in the early days of aviation. Charles Lindbergh's passion for risk and competition were the motivating forces that led him to set records and etch his name in history books. Short excepts of his actual diaries add to the excitement of his experience. 1993, Crown Publishing, Ages 4 to 8, $15.00 and $15.99. Reviewer: Deborah Zink Roffino
ISBN: 0-517-58718-1
ISBN: 0-517-58719-X
My Blue Boat
Chris L. Demarest
A young girl plays with her toy boat in the bath, and her fantasies take her sailing out past the harbor into the open sea. Watercolors perfectly reflect the soothing blues and greens of the ocean and the changing hues of the sky as the day passes. The text is brief and lulling-a perfect bedtime read. 1995, Harcourt Brace, Ages 1 to 5, $14.00 and $6.00. Reviewer: Dr. Judy Rowen
ISBN: 0-15-200177-8
ISBN: 0-15-201701-1
Plane
Chris L. Demarest
Bold, woodcut illustrations are paired with simple rhyming text in this charming board book. We follow a plane through the day. The text is a little less concrete than the usual board book, but is the perfect length and cadence for young children. Also in the series are Ship, Bus, and Train. 1995, Red Wagon, Ages 1 to 4, $4.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-15-200268-5
Ship
Chris L. Demarest
Bold, woodcut illustrations are paired with simple rhyming text in this charming board book. We follow a ship through the day. The text is a little less concrete than the usual board book, but is the perfect length and cadence for young children. Also in the series: Plane, Bus, and Train. 1995, Red Wagon, Ages 1 to 4, $4.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-15-200267-7
Smart Dog
Ralph Leemis
Illustrated by Chris L. Demarest
A cacophony of color and delightful confusion light up the pages as the old farmer spews a ton of advice to his lethargic mutt. You can go far if you're a smart dog in this big old world; there's fortune and at least fifteen minutes of fame. And true enough, there's a lesson to be learned from all that advice. But the twist on the last page is a twitch of the dog's tale and a tweak on the nose of the farmer. Lots of laughs and incidental discussions will follow each picture. 1993, Boyds Mills Press, Ages 3 to 6, $14.95. Reviewer: Deborah Zink Roffino
ISBN: 1-56397-109-7
Someday We'll Have Very Good Manners
Harriet Ziefert
Illustrated by Chris Demarest
Children have a difficult enough time learning manners without the help of this book that leaves them with the idea that it is just fine for young children to have bad manners. The two unnamed children in the book know what good manners are, and they understand when they should use them, but they do not practice them. In the text, one of the children will explain the proper manners, but in the accompanying illustration, just the opposite is practiced. Never once are the children's manners corrected. At the end of the story, the children state, "Someday we'll be grown-up. Someday we'll have manners. But for now, we're just kids." This message is carried throughout the book's cartoon-like illustrations and since pictures speak louder than words, the truth in the text is lost. Because children and adults readily recognize these unbecoming behaviors, can identify with them, and see them practiced every day, these behaviors need not be emphasized. 2001, G. P. Putnam's Sons, $15.99. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer:Jenny B. (J. B.) Petty
ISBN: 0-399-23558-2
What Would Mama Do?
Judith Ross Enderle and Stephanie Gordon Tessler
Illustrated by Chris L. Demarest
The authors take us shopping with little Lily Goose. Faraday Fox is hot on her heels, but Lily isn't as much of a goose as she seems-she enlists Faraday to help her with her shopping! When it seems that Faraday is considering a goose stew, Lily thinks, "OH! OHH! What would mama do?" and gets her answer. She also gets pints and quarts, ounces and pounds, a firkin, a cord, a hogshead, and a catty-and Faraday is loaded down with bundles. And we get a lesson in measurements. 1995, Boyds Mills, Ages 3 to 8, $14.95. Reviewer: Judy Silverman
ISBN: 1-56397-418-5
Who Walks on This Halloween Night?
Harriet Ziefert
Illustrations by Chris Demarest
Who walks, click clack, thump thump, hip-hop on Halloween night? On every page there is someone hiding in the neighborhood, and opening the flaps on each page reveals who is hiding. Kids will not only enjoy reading the book, but they will also have fun guessing. The illustrations of the Halloween night are cheerful and sure to bring forth the Halloween spirit. A great way to get kids interested in reading, and also to talk about safety for Trick-or-Treating. 1998, Little Simon/Simon & Schuster, Ages 3 up, $5.99. Reviewer: Yumiko Bendlin
ISBN: 0-689-81992-7
Winter
Chris L. Demarest
Demarest shows the sun low in the sky during winter. When the sturdy cover is opened, the suns' rays suddenly become skis stacked in a pile. The book continues with a boy and a girl engaging in other winter activities-making a snowman, skating, sled racing, building a snow house and the like. Each page is a window into the next in this attractive book that can engage further discussion. Also in the series are Summer, Spring, and Fall. 1996, Red Wagon/Harcourt, Ages 1 to 3, $4.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-15-201027-0
Zookeeper Sue
Chris Demarest
In this lift-the-flap book, Sue in her brown uniform and pith helmet visits and feeds a variety of animals at the zoo. The text and the food that Sue is proffering are clues to the animal hidden behind the flap. It won't take kids long to catch on and their knowledge and ability to predict what is behind each flap will instill confidence. Demarest's book makes reading and learning fun. 1999, Red Wagon/Harcourt, Ages 2 to 5, $10.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-15-202017-9
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Updated 2002
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