Caldecott medalist Jason Chin is the author and illustrator of many acclaimed books, including Grand Canyon, Redwoods and Your Place in the Universe.  He received the 2022 Caldecott Medal for Watercress, by Andrea Wang and a Caldecott Honor, Sibert Honor, and the NCTE Orbis Pictus award for Grand Canyon.  While researching his books, he’s gone swimming with sharks, explored lava fields and camped with scorpions at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.  Jason loves making art, learning about science and getting outside to hike, bike, ski and explore.  

Jason grew up in a small town in New Hampshire that happened to be home to Caldecott medalist, Trina Schart Hyman.  Hyman presented regularly at his elementary school and they met when he was a teenager. She became his mentor and guided him as he pursued a career in the arts.  Jason studied art at Syracuse University and began his illustration career while living in New York City.  In 2009 he published Redwoods, his first book as both author and illustrator. Since then, he has written and illustrated numerous award-winning books that combine his passion for nature, science and art.  Jason now lives with his family in Vermont.

Awards

• 2022 Caldecott Medal (Watercress)
• 2022 APALA Award (Watercress)
• 2021 Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor (Watercress)
• 2021 Cook Prize (Your Place in the Universe)
• Horn Book – 2020 Fanfare Title (Your Place in the Universe)
• 2019 Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor (Nine Months)
• 2018 Caldecott Honor (Grand Canyon)
• 2018 Sibert Honor (Grand Canyon)
• 2018 NCTE Orbis Pictus Award (Grand Canyon)
• 2010 FOCAL Award (Redwoods)
• Horn Book – 2009 Fanfare Title (Redwoods)
• Booklist – Starred Review (Redwoods)
• Publishers Weekly – Starred Review (Redwoods)
• Washington Post – Best of 2009 list (Redwoods)
• Amazon.com – Best of 2009 list (Redwoods)
• Junior Library Guild Selection (Redwoods)
• Society of Illustrators Orginal Art Exhibition (Coral Reefs)
• Kirkus Reviews’ Best of 2011 list. (Coral Reefs)
• Junior Library Guild Selection (Coral Reefs)