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Mark Shasha may be best known as a writer and illustrator thanks to the popularity of some of his published work but he is also recognized as an award-winning fine artist. His original paintings, prints and books can be found in public and private collections around the world. He is also an award-winning educator, an actor and a songwriter.

Mark grew up by the sea in New London, Connecticut. A love of drawing and telling stories eventually led him to the Rhode Island School of Design where his teachers included Trent Burleson, Tony Janello and Chris Van Allsburg. After graduating from RISD in 1983 he moved to Boston and began illustrating for advertising agencies, newspapers and magazines including The Boston Globe, The Phoenix, Boston Magazine and many national publications.

Mark's first book, Night of the Moonjellies (Simon&Schuster,1992, Purple House Press 2002) was inspired by a vivid memory of a day from his childhood at his family's hot dog stand. It was instantly called "a classic" by Smithsonian Magazine and was praised by Booklist, Publisher's Weekly ("beautifully illustrated...a strongly atmospheric work”) , School Library Journal, Sesame Street and many others. Night of the Moonjellies won a Marion Vannett Ridgway Book Award, was chosen as a 'Pick of the Lists' by The American Bookseller's Association and continues to appear regularly on several bestseller lists each year.

The New York Times singled out Shasha’s artwork in a group show at Lyman Allyn Museum as “Alluring, dreamy… and evocative of the pre-Raphaelites...his pictures are windows into a world full of detail."

Shasha has also written and illustrated other works including The Hall of Beasts (Simon&Schuster, 1994) a quiet, fictional story about the magic of art. It was an alternate selection of the Book-of-the-Month Club and has found a different audience.

Throughout the 1990's Mark Shasha visited more than 220 schools and libraries in a trademark yellow suit. His travels took him from Concord, New Hampshire to Kansas City, Missouri. More than 140,000 children have seen and heard Shasha read his stories and present his original blend of story-telling, music, and art demonstration.

Mark Shasha may be best known as a writer and illustrator thanks to the popularity of some of his published work but he is also recognized as an award-winning fine artist. His original paintings, prints and books can be found in public and private collections around the world. He is also an award-winning educator, an actor and a songwriter. Mark grew up by the sea in New London, Connecticut. A ... More