I want to write books that are super fun to read out loud. That's why I include words many people say are lyrical, but I like to say are musical. Offbeat rhymes and rhythms (like jazz) capture kids' attention and help you abandon the world of Here and Now, and take you to a magical place. Check out my video on this page--the one with the cover of "Sail Away Dragon."
I encourage you to read my stories with abandon! Shake off the adult concept of regular rhymes and rhythms or words you can find in a dictionary. Add your own words if you feel like it! Use character voices! Have fun with your kids.
HERE BE DRAGONS!
My favorite series is the Dragon & Girl series. Books include "Lovabye Dragon," "Evermore Dragon," and "Sail Away Dragon." The books begin this way: "Once there was a girl / a very little girl. / And there was a Dragon / a very biggle dragon. / They were friends."
All girls need "fierceness." We need it to protect our own hearts and the heartbeats of those we care for. In a world that doesn't always encourage us to be fiery, we need to make friends with our Dragon!
Many girls find their superpower in Connection. So it's in connection--the friendship between empathetic Girl and fiery Dragon--that Girl's gifts emerge: courage, cleverness and adventure. Now she can fly!
"With Dragon as boat and Girl as crew / there's nothing--NOTHING!--they can't do." (Sail Away Dragon) For more, check out the video on this page--the one with the cover of "Sail Away Dragon."
Also, a super p.s. The Dragon & Girl series is now a musical and I'm over the moon!
CLASSICS
I've written several classics in my 40 years of writing books for kids. "Mama, Do You Love Me?" and "Papa, Do You Love Me?" are universal messages of unconditional love. "I Love You the Purplest" addresses sibling rivalry in a colorful way. These books have sold millions of copies and have been translated into 26 languages.
COZY-READ / NATURE BOOKS
My daughter, Anneke, and I have co-authored our first book, "Better Together: A Book of Family." And it really was, better together I mean. Ani was always a science-head. And I was always a story-head. We lived in the same house but different worlds. Now Anneke is a biology professor at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. And I'm still a children's author. In writing this book, she took me into her world and I took her into mine. The book is a cozy family read AND filled with animal problems. Story and Science really are . . .Better Together. And THAT'S our book of family!
FACTOIDS:
I've written 50 books for children in 29 languages. I'm too short to tell you how tall I am. My hair is gray with purple and teal, and is also curly. I have three children: Maaike, Anneke and Rob. I have three grandchildren: Esme, Marina and Lucia. My husband, Chuck Whitehouse, is a bronze sculptor. I have two dogs, Nugget and Poppy. I live in a very old stone house next to a river in Wisconsin. I really really really like shoes.
I HAVE TEACHER'S GUIDES AVAILABLE FOR SEVERAL BOOKS. CHECK MY WEBPAGE AT BarbaraJoosse.com
