Jo. S. Kittinger

Jo's love of nature is evident in many of her books, examining everything from blue jays to blue sapphires. Bits of her personal life pop up in books as well. MOVING DAY was written in a rental truck as she drove her son to college, stirring up her own memories of moving often as a child. And THE JOY OF CATS speaks to her love of animals, especially the feline kind. Jo S. Kittinger, a Florida native now living in Birmingham, AL, is the author of more than a 25 books, including picture books, middle grade non-fiction, and both fiction and non-fiction easy readers. THE HOUSE ON DIRTY-THIRD STREET, A BREATH OF HOPE and ROSA'S BUS: THE RIDE TO CIVIL RIGHTS are three recent picture books. ROSA'S BUS was voted to review a Crystal Kite award. In addition, Jo has published numerous items in various books, magazines, educational materials and newspapers. Jo's passion for books started early--she was an avid reader growing up. Her editorial experience began as the editor of her high-school yearbook. Later she worked as an editorial assistant at The Flicker children's magazine, often wading through the slush pile of submissions. Jo graduated summa cum laude from the University of Montevallo in Alabama, with a BFA in Fine Arts and a minor in biology. She worked as a potter and fine crafts gallery owner until her first child was born. Jo's first publications were original crafts projects in books such as Christmas With Southern Living and Christmas is Coming! Choosing to stay home with her children, Jo turned to writing full time and published her first book, DEAD LOG ALIVE! with Franklin Watts Publishers in 1996. Currently Jo serves as a regional advisor for the Southern Breeze region (AL, MS, GA) of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, where she organizes two conferences for writers and illustrators of children's literature each year. She enjoys making author talks at schools, libraries and conferences.