SATA
ENTRY TYPE:
WORK TITLE: Knight Owl and Early Bird
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: www.christopherdenise.com
CITY: Providence
STATE:
COUNTRY:
NATIONALITY: American
LAST VOLUME: SATA 321
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Born 1967, in Ashland, MA; married, October, 1999; wife’s name Anika (an author); children: Sofia, Isabel, Esmé.
EDUCATION:Attended St. Lawrence University; Rhode Island School of Design, B.F.A. (illustration), 1990.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Children’s book illustrator. Visual development artist and matte painter for Reel FX, Blue Sky Studios, and Treanor Brothers Animation. Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, adjunct faculty member.
AWARDS:Communication Arts Award of Excellence, 1994, for The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship by Petr Nikolaevich Polevoi; Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award, 2002, for Oliver Finds His Way by Phyllis Root; Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award, 2007, for Pigs Love Potatoes by Anika Denise; Caldecott Honor Book, 2023, and a NPR Best Book of the Year, a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Yeark, and a Barnes & Noble Best Book of the Year, all 2022, all for Knight Owl; Frazier Excellence in Teaching Award nomination, Rhode Island School of Design.
WRITINGS
Contributor of illustrations to textbooks published by D.C. Heath and to websites and newspapers.
SIDELIGHTS
An accomplished illustrator and visual development artist, Christopher Denise, who grew up in Ireland, has contributed to books by several popular children’s authors, among them Phyllis Root, Jane Yolen, Susan Milord, and Brian Jacques. In addition, Denise has collaborated with his wife, author Anika Denise, on the humorous counting book Pigs Love Potatoes, which features what School Library Journal contributor Maryann H. Owen described as “charming acrylic and charcoal pictures of a cozy household and a happy family.” A Kirkus Reviews writer cited the “delightful details” in the artwork for the couple’s collaborative effort, while in Publishers Weekly a critic applauded Denise’s “soft, smudged colors and … keen, loving eye for domestic detail.”
Denise was born in New England and spent several childhood years in Ireland where his father was then working. As a child he developed a marked talent for drawing. A degree from the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design came next, followed by a stint showing his portfolio to various New York publishers. Denise’s artwork quickly caught the eye of an editor at Philomel, and he soon had his first book contract.
Working primarily in pastel, charcoal, and pencil, Denise gravitates toward texts that feature animal characters. His first book of fiction, an adaptation of a Russian folktale titled The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship, is enlivened by the mice, rabbits, and badgers who, garbed in nineteenth-century Eastern-European folk costumes, inhabit the story of a simpleton who wins the hand of a princess by searching the world for a flying ship. Praising Denise’s unique approach and his “lush,” “luxurious palette,” Denise Anton Wright noted in her School Library Journal review that The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship effectively showcases Denise’s “considerable talent as an artist.” Remarking favorably upon the story’s “energetic cadence,” a Kirkus Reviews critic also praised the picture book, citing in particular the author/illustrator’s whimsical touch and “elegant, rather dark, and mysterious” artwork.
From his picture-book debut, Denise has gone on to become a popular illustrator of texts by an assortment of children’s book writers. Jacques’s popular “Redwall” epic, which focuses on the animal inhabitants of Redwall Abbey, includes The Great Redwall Feast and A Redwall Winter’s Tale, both with illustrations by Denise. These series installments are geared more to younger readers than Jacques’s adventure-filled “Redwall” novels but nonetheless feature series characters Tubspike the hedgehog, Bulbrock Badger, and Matthias the Warrior Mouse. Denise brings to life each character introduced in Jacques’s rhyming picture-book text, drawing young listeners into a simple, rural world wherein animals are cared for by a kindly country abbot.
In her Booklist review of the “Redwall” stories, Sally Estes commented that the “engaging” artwork by Denise captures “the ebullient characters and tumultuous preparations” recounted in The Great Redwall Feast. Also writing in Booklist, Kay Weisman claimed that the “appealing, cozy illustrations perfectly capture the feel” of Jacques’s text for A Redwall Winter’s Tale. In another book in the series, The Redwall Cookbook, Denise makes his characteristic contribution to Jacques’s text by creating what School Library Journal critic Joyce Adams Burner described as “gorgeously rendered and finely detailed” illustrations.
Other books featuring artwork by Denise include Digger Pig and the Turnip. Here Carol Lee Cohen’s adaptation of “The Little Red Hen” is enhanced by colored-pencil illustrations that were described by Booklist contributor Ilene Cooper as “old-fashioned yet jaunty.” In Oliver Finds His Way by Phyllis Root, the illustrator “alternates close-up portraits with panoramic view to bring a fresh poignancy” to Root’s story about a young bear cub that wanders too far from home, according to a Publishers Weekly contributor. Using what School Library Journal contributor Kathleen Simonetta described as “a darker palette to bring home the scariness of the situation,” both author and illustrator resolve the story of a lost child in a happy ending designed to reassure young listeners.
David Elliott’s humorous Knitty Kitty is enlivened by Denise’s “vibrant, old-school” artwork, according to one Publishers Weekly critic, and a writer in Kirkus Reviews noted that the artist “could not have packed more charm into his acrylic-and-ink kittens.” Another Publishers Weekly reviewer wrote that Denise “harnesses firefly flashes of other-worldliness in his glowing, truly enchanting faerie scenes” for Joy Cowley’s fanciful picture book The Wishing of Biddy Malone. In Booklist Carolyn Phelan also complimented his efforts, remarking that his “artwork is infused with rhythm and grace.”
Susan Milord’s If I Could: A Mother’s Promise spins a gentle tale about a raccoon mother’s love for her young son. School Library Journal contributor Susan E. Murray praised the “terrific detail” Denise includes in his illustrations for this story, and a Kirkus Reviews writer stated that “the affecting paintings illuminate the devotion between mother and child.” Kristy Dempsey’s Me with You focuses on the tender relationship between a bear cub and her grandfather. Citing the rhyming narrative as a strength of this multigenerational tale, Booklist critic Randall Enos predicted that Denise’s “lush, computer-generated illustrations and the two cozy, endearing characters” will appeal to young readers. More upbeat, Tugg and Teeny is a chapter book for beginning readers by J. Patrick Lewis that focuses on the unlikely friendship between a huge gorilla and a diminutive monkey. “The cartoon artwork is colorful,” wrote Mary Hazelton in her School Library Journal review of this entertaining picture book.
A little girl relies on her favorite stuffed animal to ease her concerns about moving into a new house in Bella and Stella Come Home, a collaboration between Denise and his wife, Anika. “Softly colored pencil and computer-generated illustrations show the sweet and charming pair in pleasingly lush surroundings,” Enos remarked. Linda L. Walkins, writing in School Library Journal, similarly cited the “luminous, almost photographic illustrations” in Bella and Stella Come Home, which are “drawn in shades of pink, ivory, and gold.”
Denise collaborated with his wife, Anika, again for Baking Day at Grandma’s. The story focuses on three little bears who travel to their grandma’s house in winter to bake and dance while basking in their grandma’s love. “Denise’s Photoshop illustrations are a mix of cartoony characters … and realistic settings, especially the snowy winter scenes between home and Grandma’s,” wrote a Kirkus Reviews contributor. Noting in Booklist that the digital art by Denise includes “genuine emotion,” Ilene Cooper went on to remark that “readers will … see and feel how much these cubs like being with their grandmother, and she with them.”
Martha Linke Yesowitch, writing in School Library Journal, called Denise’s first-time collaboration with Edith Hope Fine, Sleepytime Me, “perfect for easing children into bed.” The story features a young girl and her grandmother chasing fireflies and also includes a young mother tucking her son into bed. “The illustrations work seamlessly with the text,” wrote Yesowitch.
Another first-time collaboration resulted in the picture book Firefly Hollow. Written by Alison McGhee, author of the “Bink and Gollie” series, Firefly Hollow is about the friendship between a firefly and a cricket whose respective dreams are looked down upon by their families. When firefly and cricket meet a young boy named Peter, who is mourning the loss of a classmate, they find a new friend. Firefly and cricket call Peter a “miniature giant.” The trio also meet a guardian of the river named Vole, whose wisdom helps the three friends encourage each other’s dreams. Denise followed his work in Firefly Hollow with illustrations for Betsy Devany’s Lucy’s Lovey and Anne Marie Pace’s Groundhug Day.
Noting Mcghee’s creation of “a tiny world of wonder,” BookPage contributor Sharon Verbeten went on to note: “Both full-color and black-and-white illustrations from Christopher Denise add even more charm to the reading experience.” B. Allison Gray, writing in School Library Journal, commented: “Denise’s illustrations are lovely, adding tremendously to the charm of the book.”
[OPEN NEW]
Denise finally decided to write his own children’s book, which was inspired by a family pizza night. His daughter Isabel came up with the inspired idea of making an owl into a knight, and the character of Knight Owl was born. Knight Owl is the first in a series of picture books featuring the little owl with big dreams. In the first installment, many knights who guard the castle have gone missing, but Knight Owl is used to being watchful at night. When a huge, hungry dragon arrives one night, however, Knight Owl must be more than watchful. He must be courageous. The book was enormously popular, becoming a New York Times bestseller and a Caldecott Honor book.
“A charming blend of whimsy and medieval heroism highlighting the triumph of brains over brawn,” wrote a writer in Kirkus Reviews. The reviewer enjoyed the story, calling it “both humorous and heartwarming,” and the illustrations, describing them as “accomplished.” Julia Smith, in Booklist, enjoyed it, too, praising the book’s “amusing twist” and the “cute-as-a-button protagonist.” She predicted that the book would “satisfy a wide range of readers.”
Denise followed that with the second book in the series, Knight Owl and Early Bird. In this story, Knight Owl comes across an even smaller bird who wants to become a knight, but Early Bird has trouble staying awake at night. When danger starts to manifest in the forest, however, the two have to work together to save themselves and the kingdom. A reviewer in Kirkus Reviews praised the way Denise combines “genuinely slinky, scary wolves” and “cheerfully anachronistic . . . sight gags.” The result is an “immersive, charming read.”
[CLOSE NEW]
In an interview with Leigh Medeiros for the Leigh Medeiros website, Denise commented on the process he goes through to illustrate a children’s book. He begins by reading the story several times over. He also does some sketching while thinking about the story, followed by rough drafts for the entire book. Denise then begins painting and repainting the illustrations. According to Denise, it can take up to nine months to complete the process for a single book.
Commenting on the creative process, Denise told Medeiros that normally he tries not to comment on the creative process, adding: “It’s too ephemeral, like trying to describe the gossamer wings of a firefly to someone that has lost their sight. The closest I could get is something like water formed by a breeze. I try to recognize it (creativity) in my own work and in the work of others.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Booklist, April 1, 1994, Carolyn Phelan, review of The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship, p. 1453; October 15, 1996, Sally Estes, review of The Great Redwall Feast, p. 424; February 1, 2000, Ilene Cooper, review of Digger Pig and the Turnip, p. 1123; September 1, 2001, Kay Weisman, review of A Redwall Winter’s Tale, p. 106; January 1, 2004, Carolyn Phelan, review of The Wishing of Biddy Malone, p. 872; June 1, 2007, Carolyn Phelan, review of Pigs Love Potatoes, p. 84; March 1, 2008, Jennifer Mattson, review of If I Could: A Mother’s Promise, p. 73; November 15, 2008, Ilene Cooper, review of Knitty Kitty, p. 51; May 15, 2009, Randall Enos, review of Me with You, p. 46; December 15, 2010, Randall Enos, review of Bella and Stella Come Home, p. 56; March 15, 2011, Hazel Rochman, review of Tugg and Teeny, p. 64; August 1, 2014, Ilene Cooper, review of Baking Day at Grandma’s, p. 78; March 15, 2022, Julia Smith, review of Knight Owl, p. 79.
BookPage, September, 2015, Sharon Verbeten, review of Firefly Hollow, p. 31.
Children’s Bookwatch, January, 2024, review of Willow and Bunny.
Horn Book, July-August, 2015, Dean Schneider, review of Firefly Hollow, p. 140.
Kirkus Reviews, March 1, 1994, review of The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship, p. 302; June 1, 2007, review of Pigs Love Potatoes; August 1, 2008, review of Knitty Kitty; October 15, 2010, review of Bella and Stella Come Home; April 15, 2011, review of Tugg and Teeny; July 15, 2014, review of Baking Day at Grandma’s; April 15, 2015, review of Firefly Hollow; January 1, 2022, review of Knight Owl; January 1, 2025, review of Knight Owl and Early Bird.
Publishers Weekly, March 21, 1994, review of The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship, p. 71; July 4, 1994, “Flying Starts” (interview), pp. 36-41; August 19, 2002, review of Oliver Finds His Way, p. 87; January 5, 2004, review of The Wishing of Biddy Malone, p. 60; June 11, 2007, review of Pigs Love Potatoes, p. 58; March 24, 2008, review of If I Could, p. 69; June 30, 2008, review of Knitty Kitty, p. 183; October 25, 2010, review of Bella and Stella Come Home, p. 45; December 2, 2015, review of Firefly Hollow, p. 65; May 4, 2020, review of Alice’s Farm: A Rabbit’s Tale, p. 61.
School Library Journal, June, 1994, Denise Anton Wright, The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship, p. 118; September, 2001, Susan L. Rogers, review of A Redwall Winter’s Tale, p. 190; October, 2002, Kathleen Simonetta, review of Oliver Finds His Way, p. 126; March, 2004, Miriam Lang Budin, review of The Wishing of Biddy Malone, p. 155; January, 2006, Joyce Adams Burner, review of The Redwall Cookbook, p. 153; July, 2007, Maryann H. Owen, review of Pigs Love Potatoes, p. 74; May, 2008, Susan E. Murray, review of If I Could, p. 103; September, 2008, Jane Marino, review of Knitty Kitty, p. 145; June, 2009, Amy Lilien Harper, review of Me with You, p. 82; December, 2010, Linda L. Walkins, review of Bella and Stella Come Home, p. 80; May, 2011, Mary Hazelton, review of Tugg and Teeny, p. 82; June, 2014, Catherine Callegari, review of Baking Day at Grandma’s, p. 101; September, 2014, Martha Link Yesowitch, review of Sleepytime Me, p. 103.
ONLINE
Author Village, https://theauthorvillage.com/ (July 25, 2025), author profile.
Christopher Denise website, http://www.christopherdenise.com (July 25, 2025).
HeyRhody, https://heyrhody.com/ (February 27, 2023), Callie Bisset, author interview.
Leigh Medeiros Website, https://www.leighmedeiros.com/ (April 17, 2014), Leigh Medeiros, “All Creativelike: An Interview with Illustrator Christopher Denise.”
Pippin Properties Website, http://www.pippinproperties.com/ (July 1, 2012), “Christopher Denise.”
School Library Journal, https://afuse8production.slj.com/ (Feburary 24, 2022), Betsy Bird, author interview.
Seven Impossible Things before Breakfast, http://blaine.org/sevenimpossiblethings/ (May 15, 2009), interview with Denise.
Sunlight Tax, https://www.sunlighttax.com/ (October 5, 2021), author interview.
Writing and Illustrating, https://kathytemean.wordpress.com/ (April 12, 2014), Kathy Temean, “Illustrator Saturday—Christopher Denise.”*
About me
Christopher Denise is an award-winning children’s book illustrator. His first book, The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship, a retelling of the Russian folktale, was pronounced “a stunning debut” by Publishers Weekly. Since then, Chris has illustrated more than twenty books for children, including Anne Marie Pace's Groundhug Day, Alison McGhee’s Firefly Hollow, Rosemary Wells’ Following Grandfather, Phyllis Root’s Oliver Finds His Way, his wife Anika Denise’s Bunny in the Middle and Baking Day at Grandma’s and some in Brian Jacques’ acclaimed Redwall series.
Knight Owl, released in March 2022, marked his author-illustrator debut, and was awarded a Caldecott Honor by the American Library Association. It has appeared on the New York Times bestseller list, won the Barnes & Noble Children’s & YA Book Awards, sold over 25 foreign licenses, and has been featured across multiple trade reviews and best book lists.
Several of his other books have appeared on the New York Times bestseller list and have been recognized by Bank Street College of Education, Parents’ Choice Foundation, and the Society of Illustrators Annual Exhibition. Christopher Denise lives in Rhode Island with his family.
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Christopher Denise
Born Ashland, Massachusetts
Nationality American
Alma mater Rhode Island School of Design
Occupation(s) Artist and illustrator
Website christopherdenise.com
Christopher Denise is an American artist and author. He illustrated two of Brian Jacques' Redwall picture books,[1]as well as the picture books The Great Redwall Feast and A Redwall Winter's Tale. He also illustrated The Redwall Cookbook.
He wrote and illustrated the children's book Knight Owl which was a 2023 Caldecott Honor book.[2] This book also was chosen by US bookseller 'Barnes & Noble' as a '2022 Book of the Year'.
Denise was born in Ashland, Massachusetts, and raised in Ireland. After returning to the United States he attended St. Lawrence University before leaving to attend the Rhode Island School of Design.[3] He began his artistic career illustrating textbooks and newspapers while a student at RISD.[1]
In addition to illustrating books, he also does visual development work for animated feature films. He and his wife, children's author Anika Denise, lived in Providence, Rhode Island, prior to moving to Barrington, Rhode Island.[3][4]
Written & Illustrated Works
Knight Owl (author and illustrator), 2022
Illustrated Works
The Great Redwall Feast (by Brian Jacques), 1996
Little Raccoon Catches a Cold (by Susan Cañizares), 1997
Digger Pig and the Turnip (by Caron Lee Cohen), 2000
A Redwall Winter's Tale (by Brian Jacques), 2001
Oliver Finds His Way (by Phyllis Root), 2002
Rabbit and Turtle Go to School (by Lucy Floyd), 2003
The Wishing of Biddy Malone (by Joy Cowley), 2004
The Redwall Cookbook (by Brian Jacques), 2005
Pigs Love Potatoes (by Anika Aldamuy Denise), 2008
If I Could: A Mother's Promise (by Susan Milord), 2008
Knitty Kitty (by David Elliott), 2008
The Fox and the Gulls (by Katacha Diaz), 2009
Me With You (by Kristy Dempsey), 2009
Bella and Stella Come Home (by Anika Aldamuy Denise), 2010
Tugg and Teeny (by J. Patrick Lewis) 2011
Tugg and Teeny: That's What Friends Are For (by J. Patrick Lewis) 2011
Tugg and Teeny: Jungle Surprises (by J. Patrick Lewis) 2011
Following Grandfather (by Rosemary Wells), 2012
Baking Day at Grandma's (by Anika Aldamuy Denise), 2014
Sleepytime Me (by Edith Hope Fine), 2014
Firefly Hollow (by Alison McGhee), 2015
Lucy's Lovey (by Betsy Devany), 2016
Groundhug Day (by Anne Marie Pace), 2017
Bunny in the Middle (by Anika A. Denise), 2019
Christopher Denise (he/him)
“I love creating characters and building worlds for picture books. But the true magic happens when those books are read and shared. Visiting with readers, I see that alchemy in action. Books are an exchange of art and ideas, of humor and heart. They connect us.”
Biography
Christopher Denise is an award-winning author and illustrator. His 2022 author/illustrator debut, Knight Owl, was a #1 NY Times bestseller and a Caldecott honor book.
While drawing and painting were a mainstay of his early years, so were films—especially films like Raiders of the Lost Arc. With no clear path to becoming a professional artist, Christopher opted to follow in the footsteps Indiana Jones and studied Art History and Archeology at St. Lawrence University. Eventually, he transferred to Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) where he finally learned what an illustrator actually does. Fascinated with the concept of Illustration as a form of communication and storytelling, he dove into the world of picture book making and began freelancing before graduation.
In the years that followed, Christopher embarked on what was essentially a 25-year apprenticeship, learning from the manuscripts of award-winning authors, including Brian Jacques, Jane Yolen, Anne Marie Pace, Anika Aldamuy Denise, Rosemary Wells, Phyllis Root, and Alison McGhee—whose work had been entrusted to him to illustrate.
More recently, he has been writing his own stories to illustrate. With an emphasis on humorous and heartwarming read-aloud books, and drawing from influences such as Lobel’s Frog and Toad, he published Knight Owl (2022) and the follow-up titles Knight Owl & Early Bird (2024) and Knight Owl’s Little Christmas (2025). Additional Knight Owl adventures are planned.
These days, you can find Christopher in his studio sketching, painting, studying books on artists, or, after a long day in the studio, watching an adventure film about archeologists with his wife, the writer Anika Aldamuy Denise. Christopher lives with his family in costal Rhode Island. You can visit him online at christopherdenise.com.
Barrington’s Own Caldecott Honor Winner Christopher Denise on How Knight Owl Was Hatched
The New York Times bestseller evolved from a family dinner over pizza
The saucy tale of how an owl became a knight and the award-winning illustrator behind it
The saucy tale of how an owl became a knight and the award-winning illustrator behind it
Illustration by Christopher Denise
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Posted Monday, February 27, 2023 10:05 am
By Callie Bisset
For children’s book illustrator Christopher Denise, a family dinner just might turn into another award-winning title. His latest book, Knight Owl, a New York Times bestseller, recently won an American Library Association Caldecott Honor, and the initial concept began at a family pizza night.
Denise, a Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) graduate, works from his home studio in Barrington. Born in Massachusetts but raised in Ireland, Denise always had a passion for art. He explains, “I was that kid who was always drawing. But the idea of being an artist or an illustrator never occurred to me. I didn’t even know what an illustrator was.” He briefly studied art history and archaeology before transferring to RISD and finding his creative direction.
Denise has an acclaimed career in children’s illustration, but Knight Owl is the first book he wrote as well as illustrated. “Over the years, I’ve been so lucky to work with and learn from amazing authors like Brian Jacques (Redwall), Jane Yolen, Anika Denise, Phyllis Root, and Rosemary Wells. My first editor told me that when I was ready, I should start writing my own books. I guess I was finally ready,” says Denise.
Knight Owl features an unlikely hero who saves the day with his nocturnal strength and pizza. Denise recites how a chat over a pie inspired the story: “I was trying, unsuccessfully, to get a story together about an owl that stays up all night… a night owl. Then our daughter Isabel asked the magic question: ‘What if?’ She asked, ‘What if the owl was a knight?’ I immediately started sketching on my iPad. With that one question, I knew the character and a good part of the story.”
The book is filled with word play and enchanting digital illustrations. Denise works almost exclusively digitally and draws upon artistic influences such as N.C. Wyeth, Johannes Vermeer, and Hiroshi Yoshida; his technique lends itself to the moody images that immerse viewers into this storybook realm.
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Within this world, little Owl dreams of being a proper knight and battling dragons. After completing knight school, he is assigned to the night shift and succeeds as the only knight to stay awake. The illustrations of the glowy castle scenes, fierce dragons, and wide-eyed owl enchant readers.
“Many kids and adults have written to me about appreciating Knight Owl’s themes of bravery and friendship. I think those are universal themes any age reader can relate to, and I’m glad they see a bit of themselves in Owl’s story,” says Denise.
Through his distinguished career, Knight Owl is Denise’s first Caldecott Honor. “With Knight Owl, I knew I had created a really solid piece of work but never expected anything that happened after we published. The Caldecott Honor is just amazing and I am so grateful. I have no idea what it means yet… it’s still sinking in,” he shares. The American Library Association (ALA) announced the winners of the 2023 Youth Media Awards at its LibLearnX: The Library Learning Experience conference in January. The awards are selected by judging committees composed of librarians and other children’s experts, and per ALA, “encourage original and creative work.”
What’s next? Denise is always at work on a new project and plans to produce more Knight Owl books. “Owl will have a few new adventures, and make a few new friends,” he shares. Denise also illustrated a forthcoming book Willow and Bunny by Anita Rowe Schulte to be released in 2023 or early 2024.
For upcoming events and more visit ChristopherDenise.com
Money Story - Christopher Denise: Building Habits and Space to Focus on Your Creative Work
Oct 5
Christopher Denise (he/him) is an illustrator, writer, teacher, and lecturer. He has illustrated many critically acclaimed books for young readers including Alison McGhee’s Firefly Hollow, Rosemary Wells’ Following Grandfather, Anne Marie Pace’s Groundhug Day, as well as several in Brian Jacques’s Redwall series. Christopher lives with his wife and collaborator, Anika Denise, and their family on the coast of Rhode Island.
HC: Who are you, what are your pronouns, and what do you do?
CD: My name is Christopher Denise, my pronouns are him/his and I am an illustrator in primarily kids’ literature, and an educator. I teach in various programs. I have taught at RISD, in undergrad illustration, where I also attended, and recently in a Master’s program at Holland’s University. This Fall I am teaching at Montserrat College of Art.
HC: How did you get into the world of illustrating?
CD: I had been studying archeology and art history at St. Lawrence University. That led to studio classes and a greater interest in making my own imagery. Around that time I visited my brother at Rhode Island School of Design and found that the level of conversation there was completely different. I applied as a transfer student initially into the architecture department because I had no idea what an illustrator was. But when I got to RISD, I started taking illustration classes, and it was really satisfying. I liked telling stories with images, not particularly for kid lit [kid’s literature]—I just liked being a visual communicator. In my junior year I started freelancing, creating work for newspapers and educational publishers (textbooks). After graduation some of those images caught the attention of an editor in New York.
HC: That’s a big lucky break. Can you explain more how you got in front of that critical editor?
CD: I did promotion. I sent out mailings and dropped off my portfolio at various publishers. I was very fortunate, because I ended up working with this editor for years.
Our first book together was The Fool of The World and the Flying Ship. That was a breakthrough moment. It was daunting, because the illustrator who had created a version of the story a few years prior had won a Caldecott Award. My version also got a good amount of attention. It got starred reviews. I did interviews and book signings. But it didn’t sell many copies. The upside of good press but not a lot of sales was that was it allowed me to continue to work in “relative obscurity.” If The Fool of the World had been a huge financial success, and I had felt compelled to reproduce it, it could have been disastrous. Creative endeavors are challenging, but when they change because of the financial piece, it can change your relationship with the creative process. If you’re not connected with the work, but you’re making money, that can be challenging.
HC: For a lot of creative people with amazing careers like yours, there is a Critical Moment. Can you talk more about how that happened for you?
CD: A part of it was luck, which is always nice. But I was ready. I was ready to take advantage of that opportunity. I had developed a practice and a discipline, so when opportunity arose, I could capitalize on it. I diversified my workflow so I could take on a project that was more time-consuming and less profitable. [It allowed me to] Be ready for an interesting opportunity.
That led to me being introduced to Brian Jacques, the author of the Redwall series. He wrote a picture book for me to illustrate. It offered me another chance to grow my work artistically.
In regard to the financial part—I was being paid more, so [ironically] I paid less attention to the business side of things. I was single, with no family, so I could do that. One thing I did do, against the advice of some family members, was invest in buying a house, which turned out to be a good decision. But I was working all the time and lacked balance.
Having a successful career in the arts is not a static goal. It’s not something that you “achieve.” You develop a practice. Something that Sunlight Tax articles and Money Bootcamp talks have highlighted that resonated with me is that getting on top of your money is also a practice. Financial literacy is not just a tool that fixes things, it is a structure. My Uncle Frank used to tell this joke, “I bought this trunk organizer. I threw it the trunk two weeks ago, and damn if I looked in there yesterday, and this whole thing is still a mess.” So, in other words, you have to actively apply sound financial practices to your creative life.
A practice builds empowerment, and as a result, freedom. Who doesn’t want freedom in their life? It allows time to focus on what gives you purpose in life. That looks like many things: a chance to support causes and people you believe in, a chance to spend more time with friends and family, and a chance to produce non-commercial work.
A career in Illustration is not a sprint, but a marathon. You need a structure. You need to a map that breaks the steps in the journey down so you know what to do, and when. It makes everything feel a lot more achievable. And it helps you get back on track if you go off in the weeds.
In the past, I would approach my project and finances without the map—I would barrel into the work and block out the rest of my life. I would get paid, and then retire all my debt. That felt great for about a week after I had finished. But that was fleeting, because new bills would arise, and a new cycle would start again. This led to both artistic and financial burnout.
HC: Something I see in so many of my Money Bootcamp members is that one of the key things that money allows is the space to rest. Can you talk about this idea of hustle vs. rest?
CD: A family will force you to take breaks from work! I’m married to a writer, so we do a lot of balancing. In the past I felt as though if I was not working, I was not working at being paid. That was frightening, because projects were long, and there was no sense of where I was financially.
Now that I have more structure, I feel more comfortable taking some time off. I’ve become more efficient. When I get to the studio it’s “go time.” I know why I’m there, and what I'm supposed to be working on. I allow for mistakes. I can do that because I have a production schedule.
I have a few friends who are 8-10 years my senior, and are top-level character designs for animation. They warned me about burnout and that definitely caused me to pump the brakes a bit. I love illustration too much to let that happen. Nevertheless, I made some bad decisions, like passing up a trip to go back to Ireland to visit with family friends because I was on a deadline. When we had kids, I didn't want to miss that time. So much so that I took some capital from a book that did well, and built a studio here on my property, so I could be around. That allowed me more time with the kids but also forced me to really structure and balance my time.
So much of the world now [because of Covid and working from home] is getting a glimpse into that kind of balance.
Now when I’m having a good painting day, when there is flow, I’m ready. It’s a funny thing though—everyone develops their own studio practice. In the past, if someone said, “you have to do it this way,” there’s a pretty good chance I wouldn’t do it. But if they engage me and ask, “Here’s a project, how do you want to approach it?” then I’m all in. I’m independent or maybe just stubborn!
HC: A lot of creative worlds have their own unique and unspoken assumptions. Grant Conversano, a filmmaker in Money Bootcamp, was describing in a recent interview the unspoken codes they felt in the filmmaking world. Are there codes like this in the illustrating world?
CD: Yes. That you should get an agent. That’s how you get better contracts and get seen. I did not take that route for fifteen years of my career. I met independently with publishers and negotiated my own contracts. This was helpful in some ways—I knew what I was getting into.
It used to be that you sent out postcards, got in touch with people, and dropped off your portfolio. That aspect of the business is so different now. Within an afternoon you can get your website up and running and out there. Because of that, the market is flooded. There are so many people with so much fantastic work. This has democratized things, which is great. In the past, you had to be able to print postcards, have a decent-looking professional portfolio, and get yourself to New York City on a regular basis. That’s all changed now.
I’ve found that in today’s publishing market, it is helpful having an agent. It allows me to focus more on the creative part, and less on the hustle. Anika (my wife and collaborator) and I share the same agent. Our relationship with our agent Emily Van Beek at Folio is a partnership and friendship. We know from experience that we’re in good hands, and that she’s got our back. She vets projects before they come to me. It helps.
HC: Do you have any advice for a young illustrator starting out?
CD: Instagram is amazing to get your work seen. My general advice is not that different [from how it would have been when I started]. Show work that you are excited about. Work that you’d be excited to do. Don’t show your potential clients what you think they will like, especially if you didn’t like doing it. Be true to your work and eventually you will find an audience. I’ve seen it happen.
On the business side, besides showing work you can stand behind, there is a question that I always ask my students, “What is the one factor that might inhibit your Illustration career?”
When I ask my students, I get many answers. But the real answer is debt. Debt will keep you from taking those jobs that might pay less but be really good for your work. Debt can lock you in a place of fear and anxiety. It literally shuts down your creative side. I also talk about sleep.
HC: Amen! I thought is was all about money, and now I realize it’s about rest.
CD: Over the past few years I have become fascinated with neuroscience, creativity, and sleep. I want to make the most out of my time, and out of my life. Having a good work-life balance, running, exercising, getting enough rest, etc. is all good for my creative process.
It was Ariana Huffington’s book on sleep that really got me thinking about this. She’s an amazing thinker and aggregator of information. She had gotten to the point where she’d convinced herself that she could exist as a creative person on four hours sleep a night, and it brought her to a breaking point-literally. She turned her focus to assessing her habits and where they’d gotten her, and wound up creating an amazing book. Another great resource, not on sleep specifically, but on creativity and finding stillness is David Lynch’s Catching the Big Fish. The audio edition is brilliant.
Teaching also helps me find balance by changing my headspace. That’s actually why I teach. Financially, teaching is not a big part of it, but in teaching you are learning. You have to approach someone else's artwork from a different perspective. Every time I teach, I come back to the studio a better artist for the experience. In fact, I just saw a quote pop into my inbox this morning from Gretchen Rubin quoting Octavia Butler “as habit is more dependable, continued learning is more dependable than talent.”
HC: Christopher, this has been wonderful. Thanks for sharing so much about your journey. It’s inspiring to hear the whole arc of it, and how you would advise a younger person in your field. Is there anything you have coming up that you want to share with everyone?
CD: Thank you. I have a book coming out in March. I’ve illustrated over 25 books, but this is the first one I've written and illustrated. It’s called Knight Owl.
Oh, What a Knight Owl Interview: Talking With Christopher Denise About Tiny Armored Birds
February 24, 2022 by Betsy Bird Leave a Comment
The other day at my library’s 101 Great Books for Kids Meeting (we start ’em in January, baby) one of my co-workers declared that he’d found the Mel Fell of 2022. He said, and I quote, “It is absolutely beautiful and funny. With a satisfying ending … We do have a lot of books about animals so far (and it’s only February), but this one should definitely be considered one of the very best.”
And he’s not wrong. Though I try to resist the charms of all-animal books, some clearly stand apart from the pack. KNIGHT OWL by Christopher Denise is already one of the best of 2022 (and quite possibly the first serious Caldecott contender I’ve discovered so far). Here’s the plot description:
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“A determined Owl builds strength and confidence in this medieval picture book about the real mettle of a hero: wits, humor, and heart.
Since the day he hatched, Owl dreamed of becoming a real knight. He may not be the biggest or the strongest, but his sharp nocturnal instincts can help protect the castle, especially since many knights have recently gone missing. While holding guard during Knight Night Watch, Owl is faced with the ultimate trial—a frightening intruder. It’s a daunting duel by any measure. But what Owl lacks in size, he makes up for in good ideas.
Full of wordplay and optimism, this surprising display of bravery proves that cleverness (and friendship) can rule over brawn.”
I’m not made of stone, people. When given the chance to talk about tiny owls in armor, I tend to jump at it. So I engaged author/illustrator Christopher Denise in a bit of the old back and forth:
Betsy Bird: Mr. Denise! So kind of you to join me. Now every book has an origin story and I simply have to learn what this one is. Where did owl even come from?
Christopher Denise
Christopher Denise: Hi Betsy, thanks so much for inviting me!
Owl came from the best possible place, a fun evening with my family.
I had been working on another character-driven story that was just not coming together so I took a break. Anika, the girls, and I were all enjoying a fun-filled family pizza night and playing a silly work mash-up game. I mentioned an idea that I had been playing with about an owl that couldn’t sleep, a Night Owl. Our daughter Isabel chimed in and said “Dad, what if the Owl was a Knight”. I was thunderstruck. After dinner, I grabbed my iPad and sketched out this page. The entire story dropped into my lap.
I think that it might be time for another Pizza night.
BB: There’s a bit of Marvin the Martian to him too, which I appreciate.
When evoking illustrations of knights and chivalry, I was getting some distinct impressions of the great illustrators of the past. It felt like you might be harkening back to N.C. Wyeth or maybe even Maxfield Parish. Did you have any artists of the past in mind when you drew scenes like Owl staring at the knights riding by?
CD: Working with artistic influences has always been a big part of my work and in my teaching of illustration. But wow, was my Wyeth fanboy showing? I have long been an admirer of N.C. Wyeth and the entire Brandywine School of Illustration. Maxfield Parish is considered part of that school but his work is so sophisticated that it can be intimidating to incorporate that influence. But I will take the compliment!
There was one influence that might surprise readers. The illustrations for Knight Owl posed an interesting challenge. Most of the book takes place at night. How could I make the illustrations using a color pallet varied enough so that each scene could have the right feeling and not feel too dark? I took that challenge as an opportunity to dive deep into my fascination with Japanese woodblock prints, specifically the work of Hiroshi Yoshida (1876-1950) one of the greatest artists of the shin-hanga style. Yoshida’s work, along with a few nods to Rembrandt and Vermeer, defined the palette for the entire project. The range of blue tones in Yoshida’s work is amazing!
BB: Reading this book and taking into account Owl’s size, I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of owl he was. If I had to take a stab in the dark I’d say Screech Owl, but what breed were you thinking? And is that your favorite breed?
CD: That was quite a guess! Owl is a bit of a hybrid between a Western Screech Owl and a Northern Saw-Whet Owl. Before I started Knight Owl I really did not know much about Owls except what I might have learned at our Audubon society’s raptor weekend. By the end of any project, you become a bit of an expert in very specific realms of information. Few of them have ever proven useful in the real world.
BB: Were you ever much into dragons and knights when you were a kid, or did you have different obsessions?
CD: In the early seventies, my family moved to Shannon, Ireland. That brought a few things into play. Access to actual castles and the European toy market. A weekend outing to ruins and travel in England and Germany were a regular occurrence. But the toys! I found this picture online of the exact toy castle that I had. I was into it! At Christmas, I would decorate the Castle by putting lights in the buildings and cotton balls and batting on the walls for snow. Toy dragons were, of course, part of the whole adventure. Hmmm, could there be a book in that?
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BB: It is the curse of the successful picture book that should it succeed in telling a good story, someone, somewhere is going to insist that there be a sequel. Would you ever consider a sequel for Owl or is his tale done?
CD: I love Owl and can absolutely see more adventures for him that play into his size and occupation, and it would be so much fun to further develop his character. Right now I am just so excited to see him set off into the world and find young readers.
BB: Beautifully put. Finally, what are you working on next?
CD: Currently, I am finishing the artwork for a lovely book called Willow and Bunny by Anita Rowe Schulte.
I try to start every book project from a place of a novice so that I can stay receptive to what the author is saying with their manuscript. This book required an entirely different approach and I was happy to change it up. When the work is complete, I will be shifting gears again for another book that I am writing and illustrating.
Thanks again for having me. I enjoy the FuseNumber8 blog!
BB: Thanks for joining me!
Alice's Farm
Maryrose Wood, illus. by Christopher Denise.
Feiwel and Friends, $17.99 (368p) ISBN 978-1250-22455-2
This captivating, wry novel opens with the revelation that the longstanding antagonism between farmers and rabbits is rooted in vegetables, which "farmers love to grow, and rabbits love to eat." After Alice, a curious rabbit kit, watches the Harvey family move into a deserted farmhouse, she and her brother sneak onto the property and overhear disconcerting news: a greedy developer is intent on buying the property from the Harveys, city folk determined to become farmers. As the young rabbits plant and tend to a thriving vegetable garden in hopes of helping the family make a go of it, the Harveys' intuitive dog, Foxy, becomes their ally, at one point musing that properly running a farm is "a subject much too vital to leave to her humans." Into this heartwarming portrait of animal camaraderie (which is shared by a fox, a bald eagle, and other wildlife), Wood (the Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place series) weaves the story of 10-year-old Carl Harvey's rocky adjustment to his new life, burgeoning self-confidence and maturity, and paramount contribution to his family's triumph. A resonant cross-species saga of perseverance, loyalty, and magnanimous friendship. Final art not seen by P W. Ages 8-12. Author's agent: Brooks Sherman, Janklow & Nesbit Assoc. (Sept.)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2020 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
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"Alice's Farm." Publishers Weekly, vol. 267, no. 18, 4 May 2020, p. 61. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A624294074/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=1aa513d4. Accessed 13 June 2025.
Denise, Christopher KNIGHT OWL Christy Ottaviano Books (Children's None) $17.99 3, 15 ISBN: 978-0-316-31062-8
A young owl achieves his grand ambition.
Owl, an adorably earnest and gallant little owlet, dreams of being a knight. He imagines himself defeating dragons and winning favor far and wide through his brave exploits. When a record number of knights go missing, Owl applies to Knight School and is surprisingly accepted. He is much smaller than the other knights-in-training, struggles to wield weapons, and has "a habit of nodding off during the day." Nevertheless, he graduates and is assigned to the Knight Night Watch. While patrolling the castle walls one night, a hungry dragon shows up and Owl must use his wits to avoid meeting a terrible end. The result is both humorous and heartwarming, offering an affirmation of courage and clear thinking no matter one's size and demonstrating the power of a midnight snack. The story never directly addresses the question of the missing knights, but it is hinted that they became the dragon's fodder, leaving readers to question Owl's decision to befriend the beast. Humor is supplied by the characters' facial expressions and accented by the fact that Owl is the only animal in his order of big, burly human knights. Denise's accomplished digital illustrations--many of which are full bleeds--often use a warm sepia palette that evokes a feeling of antiquity, and some spreads feature a pleasing play of chiaroscuro that creates suspense and drama.
A charming blend of whimsy and medieval heroism highlighting the triumph of brains over brawn. (Picture book. 4-8)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2022 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
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"Denise, Christopher: KNIGHT OWL." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Jan. 2022. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A688199595/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=e4b766ff. Accessed 13 June 2025.
* Knight Owl. By Christopher Denise. Illus. by the author. Mar. 2022.48p. Little, Brown/Christy Ottaviano, $17.99 (9780316310628). PreS-Gr. 2.
Although young Owl is quite small, he has great dreams of becoming a knight. So, when he sees a parchment advertising Knight School, he knows he has to apply. To the surprise of all, he is accepted, and his journey begins. Painting-like digital illustrations conjure the medieval setting and expertly utilize scale, emphasizing Owl's diminutive size to adorable effect. Though an excellent student, Owl struggles with certain parts of training--handling a shield and a sword, staying awake during the day. Nevertheless, he graduates with honor and is placed on the castle's Knight Night Watch, a job at which he excels. Late one night, a hulking, hungry dragon descends upon the ramparts with plans of having Owl for a midnight snack. Denise dials up the suspense in his illustrations, as the enormous dragon leans out of the shadows and over a glowing fire toward Owl. It takes some quick thinking, but Owl proves himself both clever and brave in the solution he devises, which saves not only his life but the other members of the Knight Night Watch, as well. In his first solo picture book, Denise gives youngsters an old-fashioned story with an amusing twist and a cute-as-abutton protagonist that charms on every level. This will satisfy a wide range of readers, from Dragons Love Tacos fans to wannabe knights. --Julia Smith
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2022 American Library Association
http://www.ala.org/aboutala/offices/publishing/booklist/
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Smith, Julia. "Knight Owl." Booklist, vol. 118, no. 14, 15 Mar. 2022, p. 79. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A699285326/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=7ca63896. Accessed 13 June 2025.
Willow and Bunny
Anita Rowe Schulte, author
Christopher Denise, illustrator
https://www.anitraroweschulte.com
Two Lions
c/o Amazon Publishing
https://amazonpublishing.amazon.com/two-lions.html
9781542025690, $17.99, HC, 48pp
https://www.amazon.com/Willow-Bunny-Anitra-Rowe-Schulte/dp/1542025699
Synopsis: Bunny needs a new home. After a long journey, he meets Willow and knows he will be safe beneath her branches. Every day is theirs to share. Just Bunny and Willow, Willow and Bunny.
Then, one evening, an angry spiral whips through the wood. Every creature in the forest runs to Willow for shelter. As the storm rages, Willow shields and protects them with all her might. But when the calm returns, Willow's beautiful branches are tattered, twisted, and forever changed. Bunny and the other creatures know it is their turn to help.
Critique: "Willow and Bunny" is a very special and beautifully told picture book tale by the Christopher Award winning author/storyteller Anita Rowe Schulte and Caldecott Honor artist/illustrator Christopher Denise offering children ages 4-8 a message of friendship, community, and hope after a difficult experience. With its museum quality artwork and its timeless message of hope and responsibility, "Willow and Bunny" is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections for children. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Willow and Bunny" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $3.99).
Editorial Note #1: Anitra Rowe Schulte is also the author of "Dancing with Daddy" and the forthcoming chapter book series "Starlin". She has worked as a journalist for The Kansas City Star and the Sun-Times News Group, as a staff writer for Chicago Public Schools, and as a publicist. She lives with her family in the Chicago area. She has a personal/professional website at www.anitraroweschulte.com and can be followed on Twitter @anitraschulte
Editorial Note #2: Christopher Denise (www.christopherdenise.com) is an award-winning children's book illustrator and visual development artist. His books have appeared on the New York Times bestseller list and have been recognized by Bank Street College of Education, Parents' Choice Foundation, and the Society of Illustrators Annual Exhibition.
Please Note: Illustration(s) are not available due to copyright restrictions.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2024 Midwest Book Review
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/cbw/index.htm
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"Willow and Bunny." Children's Bookwatch, Jan. 2024. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A783034100/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=8c3d6693. Accessed 13 June 2025.
Denise, Christopher KNIGHT OWL AND EARLY BIRD Christy Ottaviano Books (Children's None) $16.99 10, 15 ISBN: 9780316564526
Can knightly deeds bring together a feathered odd couple who are on opposite daily schedules?
Having won over a dragon (and millions of fans) in the Caldecott Honor-winningKnight Owl (2022), the fierce yet impossibly cute nocturnal, armor-clad owlet faces a new challenge--sleep deprivation--in the wake of taking on Early Bird, a trainee who rises with the sun and chatters interminably: "I made pancakes! Do you like pancakes? I love pancakes! Where's the syrup?" It's enough to test the patience of even the knightliest of owls, and eventually Knight Owl explodes in anger. But although Early Bird is even smaller than her mentor, she turns out to be just as determined to achieve knighthood. After he tells her to leave, she acquits herself so nobly in a climactic encounter with a pack of wolves that she earns a place at the castle. Denise proves a dab hand at depicting genuinely slinky, scary wolves as well as slipping cheerfully anachronistic newspapers and other sight gags into his realistically wrought medieval settings to underscore the tale's tongue-in-cheek tone. Better yet, a final view of the doughty duo sitting down together to a lavish pancake breakfast/dinner at dusk ends the episode in a sweet rush of syrup and bonhomie.
An immersive, charming read and convincing proof again that even small bodies can house stout hearts.(Picture book. 5-8)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2025 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
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"Denise, Christopher: KNIGHT OWL AND EARLY BIRD." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Jan. 2025. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A821608624/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=4919c1f1. Accessed 13 June 2025.