Chris Raschka (b. 1959) is an author and illustrator of picture books. He was born in Pennsylvania and raised outside of Chicago, Illinois. He began painting as a child but was also interested in becoming a doctor, so he got a college degree in biology and applied to medical school. On the first day of class, though, he changed his mind. Raschka began to write and draw professionally; his early books include the Caldecott Honor winnerย Yo! Yes?ย (1993),ย The Blushful Hippopotamusย (1996),andย Arlene Sardineย (1998). He has won acclaim for his striking, minimalist style and his ability to tell a story with just one or two dozen words.ย An accomplished violist, Raschka has also written many books about music, includingย John Coltraneโs Giant Stepsย (2002),ย Simple Giftsย (1998), andย Charlie Parker Played Be Bopย (1992). He has won Caldecott medals forย The Hello, Goodbye Windowย (2005) andย A Ball for Daisyย (2011), an entirely wordless book.ย