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. She says, 'Having two small boys and two professions was too much to handle.' Kasza decided in 1988 to devote her time to picture books. Kasza married an American, and the United States has been her home ever since.Īfter publishing five children's books in Japan and working as a graphic designer for fourteen years, Ms. '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. 'All the steps I took growing up were very normal,' Ms. Uncles, aunts, and cousins also lived nearby. She grew up in a typical Japanese extended family with her parents, two brothers, and grandparents. All rights reserved.Keiko Kasza was born on a small Japanese island in the Inland Sea of Japan. Keiko Kasza lives in Indiana with her husband and two sons.Ĭopyright © 2000 by Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers. 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!'

I pretend that I'm a bird looking for a mother, or a pig trying to impress his girlfriend. 'I become the character that I'm working on at that moment.

Kasza compares the process of making a book to acting on stage under the lights: 'I often go back to his work when I get discouraged or lose confidence.' The subtle humor and warmth he created in his books continues to inspire me,' she says.

Keiko Kasza was born on a small Japanese island in the Inland Sea of Japan.

A Mother for Choco by Keiko Kasza