He is the first official Cartoonist Laureate of the state of Vermont, appointed in 2011.
Among his best known works are the Monkey vs Robot series, the beloved children's series Johnny Boo, Dragon Puncher, and Glorkian Warrior, and his magnum opus, the 14-year span of daily diary comics known as American Elf.
"A perfectly silly early chapter-book graphic novel for kids new to reading on their own... totally funny and appealing." --Youth Services Book Review
"Kochalka's simple line drawings and bright crayon colors stand out in this sweet, silly graphic novel. Children will easily identify with Johnny Boo's sense of fun." --Booklist
"A playfully wacky, colorful graphic novel... Highly recommended." --Children's Bookwatch
"Quirky, cute, imaginative, and endlessly re-readable." --GeekDad
"A great series for young readers with its easy-to-follow panels and big word balloons." --Good Comics for Kids, School Library Journal