Jennifer O’Connell grew up in Darien, Connecticut and received her BFA degree in Illustration from Philadelphia College of Art (now known as The University of the Arts) in 1979. She was employed at “Unicorn Graphics” in Washington, D.C. before becoming a free-lance illustrator and designer. She now lives with her family in Bethesda, Maryland.
Jennifer is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and The Children’s Book Guild of Washington, D.C.
Jennifer’s book, Ten Timid Ghosts, was a New York Times Bestseller in 2000 for six weeks and in 2006 for ten weeks. It was a Publishers Weekly Bestseller in the fall of 2000 and 2006.
Her illustration honors include two Christopher Awards for Imagine That! Exploring Make-Believe, by Joyce Strauss and Promise Not To Tell, by Caroline Polese. A Garden of Whales, received The Vermont Publisher’s Association “Special Merit Award.”
Selected Reviews of Jennifer's Books
Ten Timid Ghosts
Jennifer O'Connell
A very green witch with a wart on her nose, bat earrings and long red fingernails has decided to move into a haunted house. The ten timid ghosts who are the current occupants are chased away, one by one. When all have vacated the premises, they decide to take a stand and don't they give that witch a fright. The story and amusing pictures will help kids count down from ten. They will also have fun finding and counting the ghosts on each page and looking for the nasty old witch who is always there--although sometimes she may be a little hard to find. For young kids who crave just a little scare, this book will be a good choice and great fun for Halloween. 2000, Cartwheel/Scholastic, $3.25. Ages 3 to 7. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature).
Ten Timid Ghosts on A Christmas Night
Jennifer O'Connell
Part counting book, part rhyming Christmas story, this book recounts Santa's visit to the home of ten timid ghosts. First one timid ghost hears a jingle in the dark outside, then two see a team of reindeer flying by, until finally ten timid ghosts give Santa a little fright before he wishes them a "Merry Christmas and Good Night!" The numbers are written in a ghost-like white, so they do not stand out well on the page. The ghosts are not always easy to find, so as a counting book this is more suitable for older children who will enjoy trying to locate all of the ghosts. Ghosts seem an unusual choice for a Christmas book, but it certainly is different. 2002, Cartwheel/Scholastic, $3.50. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Dr. Judy Rowen (Children's Literature).
In her interactive and inspiring presentations, Jennifer demonstrates how each picture book started with an idea and became a published book. Showing sketches, dummy books, paintings and other visual (and tactile) aids, she discusses the ‘team’ (author, illustrator, publisher, editor, art director and printer) that works together to make a book happen, focusing on her function as the author and illustrator.
Presentations:
A Garden of Whales – Adventure in Illustration
Special features: Jennifer play dreamlike music while drawing whales and unfurls a life-size mural of a 23’ long newborn baby blue whale.
How Ten Timid Ghosts Came to Be Special features: Jennifer plays a brainstorming game where she and the children create a story together. Jennifer draws the main character of the story while the children act as ‘art directors.’
Workshop – Let’s Create a Picture Book Using special ‘idea boxes,’ the children have a blast (and giggle) creating their own books.
Fees: Within the Washington, DC metropolitan area, the first presentation is $475 and each additional, consecutive session is $175. Workshops and non-local fees are negotiable.
Travel and lodging – Travel and lodging costs to be covered by booking organization.
To learn more about Jennifer and her publications please visit www.jenniferoconnellart.com.
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