Kay Chorao, born as Ann McKay Sproat on January 7, 1936,[1][2][3] (some sources say 1937[4][5]) in Elkhart, Indiana, is an American artist, illustrator and writer of children's books.
[citation needed] Chorao published her first book, The Repair of Uncle Toe, in 1972.
[6] In 1979, her 1974 book Ida Makes a Movie was adapted into a short film by the same name, which would become the genesis for the highly successful Degrassi teen drama franchise.
In 1988, Chorao published Cathedral Mouse, which was well received by critics and featured among the ten best children's picture books of the year, by New York Times.
[12] In 1994, Chorao self-illustrated book Annie and Cousin Precious was picked by International Reading Association as one of the Children's Choices for 1995.