Books
Bartleby Speaks!
Ages 4-8
Farrar, Straus, and Giroux/Melanie Kroupa Books • August 2009
Illustrated by Kevin Hawkes
Illustrations from Bartleby Speaks! by Robin Cruise Illustrations copyright © 2009 by Kevin Hawkes Used by permission of Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, Inc. All rights reserved.
Bartleby Huddle is a sweet, happy child. He gurgles and coos, giggles and laughs, but he has yet to say a single word-not baby, not peekaboo, not even MINE! The rest of the noisy Huddles-Mama, Papa, big sister Isadora, and even the family dog, Ludwig-outdo themselves trying to make Bartleby say … something! It’s only wise old Grampy Huddle who understands that Bartleby will speak in his own good time, when he has something important to say.
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Only You
Ages 2–5
Harcourt Children’s Books • April 2007
(now Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
Illustrated by Margaret Chodos-Irvine
Illustrations from Only You by Robin Cruise Illustrations © 2007 by Margaret Chodos-Irvine Used by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Inc. All rights reserved.
Every adult who loves a child knows how deep and rich that love can be. Little ones are lovable on the outside, with their tiny ears, eyes, and toes. And they’re lovable for who they are on the inside, as they sing, play, and shout. A diverse trio of parents and children are at the heart of this lyrical celebration of a love that makes each child feel like … the one and only.
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Little Mamá Forgets
Ages 4–8
Farrar, Straus and Giroux/Melanie Kroupa Books • March 2006
Illustrated by Stacey Dressen-McQueen
Illustrations from Little Mamá Forgets by Robin Cruise Illustrations © 2006 by Stacey Dressen McQueen Used by permission of Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, Inc. All rights reserved.
Every morning, Lucy tiptoes into her grandmother’s room to wake her with a gentle tickle. Little Mamá always remembers to tickle Lucy right back! But Lucy knows there are things her abuelita sometimes forgets – like the way to the park or how to tie her shoes.”Two long bunny ears like this.” Lucy shows her. Still, there’s much that Little Mamá remembers and shares: how to skip and dance, stories from Mexico, and plenty of hugs and kisses. A lyrical text with Spanish words and phrases and vibrant art spiced with cultural details capture the give-and-take in this lively Hispanic family and celebrate the special bonds that exist between young and old.
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The Top-Secret Journal of Fiona Claire Jardin
Ages 8–12
Harcourt Children’s Books • April 2000
It’s not easy being a ten-year-old whose parents are Divorced. Just ask Fiona Claire Jardin. You have to go back and forth between two homes, and keeping track of all your stuff is hard. And now Fiona has to write in a journal. It’s supposed to help her sort out her feelings. But Fiona knows that having a journal can’t make a difference-or can it? Funny, poignant, and honest, Fiona’s journal entries reveal the roller coaster of emotions she experiences as she tries to cope in a world that’s been turned upside down.
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Fiona’s Private Pages
Ages 8–12
Harcourt Children’s Books • May 2002
Being a friend is hard work. Just ask 11-year-old Fiona Claire Jardin. When Fiona makes a really tough decision, will she disappoint her best friend, Blanca? How will she stay friends with Natalie, who’s transferring to another middle school? Can she really be friends with a b-o-y named Eliot? And what about Katie? Should Fiona keep her friend’s secret, even though Katie may be in danger? Share another year with Fiona in the pages of her very private journal … and discover, as she does, what it means to be a True Friend.
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A Footnote from Me!
If you want to check out my books or what others are thinking and writing about them, go to Indiebound.org, Amazon.com, or BarnesandNoble.com.
Coming Attractions!
In Totally Fiona, the third (and final) installment of Fiona Claire Jardin’s very private journals, young Fiona details the thrills and perils of at last becoming a bona fide teenager – not to mention the weird, stinky, highly emotional, and otherwise strange misadventures of – Shhhhhhh! – puberty.
Works-in-progress also include two picture books, the first about twins and the second about brothers, inspired by relationships within my own family.
My twin John and me, “reading” at age two!
Great brothers – and terrific sons – Andrew and Henry.
