About Christopher Canyon

“I’ve always loved stories

and I’ve always loved making

pictures—I suppose this is

why I illustrate picture books.

I love all kinds of stories too—I suppose this

is why I create my books in so many different artistic styles…

for example, the sketches and art directly above are from the book Grandma’s Feather Bed. This is a very funny song that I adapted and illustrated into a picture book. You can see that I approached illustrating this book in a very silly way with my imagination!

I have been creating picture books for a long time. Some of the stories I have illustrated are about fascinating people and places. These projects have taken me on many amazing research adventures around the world to learn about the subject matter I have illustrated. Research is often a very important, exciting, and rewarding part of creating a book!

Ever since my childhood, I’ve always loved drawing and painting wildlife. Many of the books I have illustrated are about animals and natural habitats. Whether I’m sketching birds in my backyard or doing research in wild places,

I love learning about the world through creating art.

Here are just a few examples of my art and books that

celebrate nature…

No matter what kind of a book I’m illustrating—be it a true story, make-believe tale, poem or song, I always begin exploring my imagination with a journal. All of us have ideas—and everyone is creative. A journal gives us a place to explore our thoughts and develop our ideas in many ways. Although I illustrate my books in different artistic styles and techniques—I always begin my work with nothing more than a pencil and a journal.

With these basic tools I am able to journey to unlimited possibilities with my

writing, drawing, and imagination to explore out how I’m going to

share a story—as well as my art and creativity with others.”