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.

Book Christopher Denise

If you’re interested in having Christopher visit your school or attend your event, or if you have a general question about Christopher, please fill out the following form: