Jeanne Walker Harvey

It's a dream come true to be a children's book author! I studied literature and psychology at Stanford University and have had many jobs, ranging from being a roller coaster ride operator to an attorney and, most recently a middle school teacher of Language Arts and writing workshops. I am the author of numerous award-winning picture books for young readers. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area in California. I was inspired to write my most recent picture book biography, ABLAZE WITH COLOR - A Story of Painter Alma Thomas (HarperCollins), when I learned about this remarkable artist who was the first Black woman to have a solo exhibit at the Whitney Museum in New York City and the first Black woman to have her work chosen for the White House collection. My picture book, BOATS ON THE BAY (Cameron + Company), was inspired by my watching all the wonderful variety of boats on the San Francisco Bay.The beautifully illustrated book (by the talented Grady McFerrin) is an homage to the beautiful Bay Area, but with universal appeal to all boat lovers everywhere. I became fascinated with Romare Bearden's amazing collages when I was a docent at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art where I gave tours to school groups. I loosely based the text of MY HANDS SING THE BLUES: ROMARE BEARDEN'S CHILDHOOD JOURNEY (Marshall Cavendish/Two Lions Publishing) on the concept of blues music because Bearden's art and life were inspired by blues and jazz music during the Harlem Renaissance. Two of my other picture books, based on fascinating true stories of rescued marine mammals, are ASTRO THE STELLER SEA LION and HONEY GIRL THE HAWAIIAN MONK SEAL (Arbordale Publishing). Rescued by Sausalito based Marine Mammal Center, Astro attached to people, including joining a school walk-a-thon! Quite the adventure! He now lives at the wonderful Mystic Aquarium. I've visited him, of course, and showed him the book. He seemed quite pleased! Hawaiian locals and visitors always enjoy spotting endangered Hawaiian one seals, but Honey Girl is an extra special case. She has raised seven pups, and scientists call her 'Super Mom.' My book tells her story of being injured by a fishhook. She is rescued and after veterinarians and scientists work to save her, she's released back to her beach. Visit me at www.jeanneharvey.com. I also feature other authors' NEW picture book biographies on my blog, TRUE TALES & A CHERRY ON TOP, on my website: https://www.jeanneharvey.com/blog-news