Ann Whitford Paul
Ann Whitford Paul has written picture books, poetry, and easy readers for children, including Fiesta Fiasco and Mañana, Iguana, which Publishers Weekly raved was a "hoot." Her picture book, Little Monkey Says Good Night was a Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year, and Kirkus Reviews praised it as "a perfect good-night read." Some of Ann's other books include Hello Toes! Hello Feet!, The Seasons Sewn: A Year in Patchwork, All by Herself, and Eight Hands Round: A Patchwork Alphabet.
In Ann's own words…
"It seems like I've always been reading. Even before my first birthday, I loved turning the pages of a book.
"My reading in elementary school sometimes got me into trouble. I preferred finishing a book instead of doing my homework. Although it hadn't occurred to me to be a writer, I did start to keep a journal. The entries abruptly ended when a neighbor girl stole my journal and read all the mean things I had written about her!
"Seeing her hurt expression made me fearful of the impact of the written word, and I immediately put an end to journal writing and any thoughts of being an author.
"Instead I studied sociology at Northwestern University and the University of Wisconsin, and social work at Columbia University. Then I worked as a social worker until my children were born. But I was still reading books, not only to myself, but now to my children. We had two sons and two daughters, so you can imagine that our house was always busy and noisy.
"One child needed a peanut butter sandwich, another asked for help with spelling words, another longed for comfort for a skinned knee and another couldn't turn on the bathtub water, often all at the same time! The only quiet moments came after supper when darkness wrapped like a quilt around our house and everyone was ready for bed. Then we would sit so close our skins touched and read together. Those peaceful, cozy times inspired me to write books that other adults and children could share.
"But deciding to be a writer and becoming one is not something one accomplishes over night. It takes many years of learning one's craft, writing and rewriting and also more reading.
"When I'm not reading or writing books, I can most often be found outside taking a long walk or inside quilting, knitting, or cooking. Other things I love to do include watching a spider spin her web, or a snail paint its trail, or especially sitting quietly to listen to my cat's soft, rumbling purr."
Ann Whitford Paul lives in Los Angeles, California, with her husband, two dogs and a cat.
To find out more about Ann Whitford Paul, visit: www.annwhitfordpaul.net
Contributor: SoCal Public Relations
Reviews
All by Herself
Ann Whitford Paul
Illustrations by Michael Steirnagle
One wore bloomers, nailed a crate to runners and enjoyed a spectacular "flight" from the roof of her house. Another lead Lewis and Clarke through an unknown land. Still another walked out of a mill to demand better wages for workers. There was one who overcame a handicap and went on to win three Olympic gold medals, one who recited poetry to raise money for the less fortunate and one who in her small skiff rescued sailors from the frigid sea. They were Amelia Earhart, Sacajawea, Harriet Hansen, Wilma Rudolph, Golda Meir, and Ida Lewis. Their heroic deeds and the courageous acts of eight other young girls are retold in lively free verse. Brilliant oil paintings capture each girl at the moment of greatest risk. An afterword gives additional information about each of these young women who dared to do the right thing. This is just the ticket to use to encourage girls to convince them that they can accomplish anything and that they can make a difference. 1999, Browndeer Press, $17.00. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Beverley Fahey (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-73981378-2
ISBN: 0-73981378-1
Count on Culebra: Go From 1 to 10 in Spanish
Ann Whitford Paul
Illustrated by Ethan Long
Another engaging bi-lingual math story from the author and illustrator team is just as much fun as their other titles. Readers are invited to count from one to ten in Spanish and with familiar objects, but also to do it with the irrepressible characters from previous stories--Iguana, Tortuga, Culebra, and Conejo. Now Iguana is just about ready to make her dulces when she stubs her toe. The pain is so great she cannot stand. What to do? Knowing that Iguana makes the most wonderful dulces, Tortuga rubs the toe and wraps it--while Dr. Culebra shakes his rattles and ties a rope to the tail, then the rolling pin, kettles, skillets, pots, cups and more, in others words all the gear that is needed to make dulces. While gathering he also counts the objects out for us in Spanish. His friends and we readers shake our heads. What can all this stuff do to heal Iguana? But he has a plan and when we see it, the onomatopoeia used literally jumps off the page. The cacophony of sound helps Iguana heal and all the friends make the dulces together. A glossary and pronunciation guide along with the recipe are included in the back of the book. Lots of fun for shared reading or just reading by one's self. 2008, Holiday House, $16.95. Ages 6 to 8. Reviewer: Leslie Greaves Radloff (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-8234-2124-4
Eight Hands Round: A Patchwork Alphabet
Ann Whitford Paul
Illustrated by Jeanette Winter
I still have the patchwork baby-blanket Mrs. Somers made for me in 1934. Its pattern's name was the first thing I looked for when this delightful alphabet arrived. Suggest youngsters discover what designs they have on quilts at home, use the 26 patterns as models for paper patchwork projects, or just enjoy this simple, engaging history of one colorful aspect of women's creativity. In 1988, a retired schoolteacher and counselor initiated a project that included Kids Making Quilts for Kids (Quilt Digest, 1992). The quilting bee provides the time and place for the quilters to discuss AIDS and substance abuse; the finished quilts are donated to hospitals for babies born HIV-positive or affected by alcohol or drugs. 1996 (orig. 1991), HarperCollins, $15.00, $14.89 and $4.95. Ages 8 to 14. Reviewer: Dr. Beverly Kobrin (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-06-024689-1
Everything to Spend the Night--From A to Z
Ann Whitford Paul
Pictures by Maggie Smith
A little girl goes to visit her grandfather and packs her bag with belongings representing every letter in the alphabet. The illustrations add humor and charm to the rhythmic tale of a child who has crammed her suitcase with many things she wants to bring, along with just a few necessities. There is a drum so she and Grandpa can step high and march and then, just in case she is too loud, she has brought along earmuffs to cover Grandpa's ears. She wants Grandpa to help her with her jigsaw puzzle and she has the key to her treasure chest. When the chest is opened, she and Grandpa enjoy chocolate coins. The little girl has brought along her night light and quilt and, of course, her soft, fuzzy slippers. Finally it time to go to bed and she realizes she has forgotten to pack her pajamas. She borrows a pajama top from Grandpa and is ready to go to sleep in a bedroom strewn with her belongings. 1999, DK Publishing, $15.95. Ages 4 to 7. Reviewer: Carolyn Mott Ford (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-7894-2511-9
ISBN: 0-7894-2511-4
Fiesta Fiasco
Ann Whitford Paul
Illustrated by Ethan Long
Iguana, Conjeo, Culebra, and Tortuga return for another amusing adventure. It is Culebra's birthday and each of his friends wants to buy him the perfect regalo (present). In shopping for the gifts Conejo has his own ideas about what would be the perfect gift. The wily rabbit convinces his friends to buy a sombrero, a camisa (shirt) and pantelones (pants) for their friend snake. At the fiesta a disappointed Culebra points out that he likes the sun and would not want to cover his head, and he has no need of a shirt or pants. When Conejo is too eager to take the gifts himself, all the animals realize they have been tricked. Banished from the rest of the celebration, Conjeo comes up with a clever solution that shows he has learned just what it means to be a good friend. Conjeo's apology is just in time to share in the torta and sing Feliz Cumpleanos. A spicy hot palette of orange, yellow, and green on pristine white background focuses attention on the comical cartoon characters. Spanish words are sprinkled throughout the text of this delightful and playful tale of friendship. The spirited story is a fitting sequel to Manana Iguana. 2007, Holiday House, $16.95. Ages 5 to 8. Reviewer: Beverley Fahey (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-8234-2037-7
ISBN: 0-8234-2037-X
Hello Toes! Hello Feet
Ann Whitford Paul
Illustrated by Nadine Bernard Westcott
Ann Paul presents us with a lyrical day in the life of a young girl's feet. The little girl actually talks to her feet as they take her through the day's adventures. They are all "tangled up between my sheets," "kick the table while I eat," "jump rock to rock across the creek," "squish into the muddy ooze," are the "first to touch my bath," and of course at the end of the day, "snuggle in between my sheets." Nadine Westcott's whimsical cartoons give children lots to laugh about as they contemplate the wonders of their own feet. 1998, Melanie Kroupa/DK Ink, $15.95. Ages 2 to 5. Reviewer: Karen Leggett (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-7894-2481-5
Hop! Hop! Hop!
Ann Whitford Paul
Illustrated by Jan Gerardi
As Little Rabbit and Big Rabbit travel through the meadow Big Rabbit hops over a flower, a puddle, the root of a tree, a log, a rock and a stump. Little Rabbit is unable to hop as far or as high and always ends up in trouble. As a result, when Little Rabbit arrives at the stump he hops around it rather than over it. As Part of the "Step into Reading" series, Step 1 book, this has many visual clues for the beginning reader. Gerardi uses lots of geometric shapes to create the rabbits and the background with its signs of spring: flowers, frogs, bees, snails. etc. Short sentences, large type, repetition, and Little Rabbit's success make this a good book for young children who are on the cusp of learning to read. 2005, Random House, $3.99. Ages 4 to 6. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-375-82857-7
ISBN: 0-375-82857-5
If Animals Kissed Good Night—
Ann Whitford Paul
Pictures by David Walker
This book offers a rhyming answer to the question--If animals kissed good night, what would they do, and how would each animal and their parent behave as a result? All of the animals illustrated are compared with a swinging sloth and her cub. Plenty of repetition and simple illustrations depict the animals kissing and making other sounds as they play and move around outside. Toward the end of the book, night descends and the stars come out. Even the toddler pictured is seen tucked into bed inside his room, as the familiar sloth and her cub are kissing good night out in the night. This is a gentle text with a chalk-like wash of colors should please young lookers and listeners before nap or sleeping time. The author previously wrote a Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year which was illustrated by this same artist. Getting ready for bed has never seemed so comfortable and loving. 2008, Melanie Kroupa Books/Farrar Strauss and Giroux, $16.95. Ages 3 to 6. Reviewer: Enid Portnoy (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-374-38051-9
ISBN: 0-374-38051-1
Mañana Iguana
Ann Whitford Paul
Illustrated by Ethan Long.
The title is catchy and the illustrations colorful in this amusing version of The Little Red Hen with a Mexican flavor. Spanish words and phrases are sprinkled throughout in such a way as to promote understanding by context, although there is a glossary in the front of the book. Iguana decides on Monday to plan a party for Saturday to celebrate the arrival of spring. Iguana asks for help with the invitations. She gets the same answer from each one of her three friends and the answer is "Yo no. Not I." This is the answer she gets when asking for help with all the preparations for the big day. Conejo claims that he moves too fast, Tortuga insists that he moves too slow and Culebra offers to help after he grows arms. So, Iguana does everything herself, but when it is time for the party, her three friends want to join in. When she tells them they cannot attend because they never helped, they slink away in embarrassment. They make it up to Iguana after the party when they do all the cleaning up and then she shares the leftovers with them. A nice turn on an old story. 2004, Holiday House, $16.95. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Carolyn Mott Ford (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-8234-1808-4
ISBN: 0-8234-1808-1
The Seasons Sewn: A Year in Patchwork
Ann Whitford Paul
Illustrated by Michael McCurdy
A lively, conversational text, combined with old-fashioned, color scratchboard illustrations, show the reader how beautiful patchwork quilt designs were connected to historical events and the seasonal activities of America's 19th century. Six quilt designs, accompanied by design diagrams and a scene depicting the event or activity, are presented for each season. The author imagines how each design might have been inspired; for example, the Turkey Tracks might have come to a woman's mind as she watched a flock of turkeys being herded on her farm. Some experiences of Native Americans and African Americans are included, helping to make the history culturally diverse. An introduction, author's note and bibliography are included. 1996, Harcourt, $16.00. Ages 7 up. Reviewer: Gisela Jernigan, Ph.D. (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-15-276918-5
ISBN: 0-15-276918-8
Silly Sadie, Silly Samuel
Ann Whitford Paul
Illustrations by Sylvie Wickstrom
Samuel and Sadie are a whimsical and slightly offbeat couple. In each of these short stories they each perform tasks that would upset most people. Instead of being angered, however, they optimistically find the positive aspect of each situation. For example, Sadie takes a pair of scissors and cuts Samuel's Sunday shirt and good Sunday suit into small squares. She explains to Hazel, their neighbor, that she is making a quilt. Hazel points out that Sadie has just ruined Samuel's good Sunday clothes. Rather than being upset, Samuel points out that when Sadie is done he can better enjoy his Sunday suit by sleeping under it every night. In another story, Samuel begins painting the picket fence that surrounds their house. He quickly becomes bored with the white paint so he switches to yellow. Not satisfied with the yellow, he tries green. Sadie comes home to discover each section of the fence painted a different color. "Oh dear, look what Samuel has done to your fence," exclaims Hazel. "Yes," replies Sadie, "he has painted me a lovely rainbow." The characters in these stories demonstrate an appreciation for diversity that young children can learn from. 2000, Aladdin Paperbacks/Simon & Schuster, $3.99. Ages 5 to 7. Reviewer: Denise Daley (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-689-81690-1
ISBN: 0-689-81690-1
Snail's Good Night
Ann Whitford Paul
Illustrated by Rosanne Litzinger
When Snail, a jaunty anthropomorphic fellow in red coat and yellow hat, notices that the moon and stars are out and his friends are not, he decides to wish his friends good night. Moving very slowly, as snails do, he reaches Bunny's den when she is almost asleep. He realizes that Mouse may also be close to sleep so he should hurry. But he can only slide very slowly. All is dark at Mouse's, so he must wake him up to say good night. On he goes, hoping to reach Sparrow's tree soon, but of course still very slowly. By the time he says "Good night" to Sparrow, it is time to get up. Exhausted by his efforts, Snail curls into his shell and sleeps all day. The amusing story, along with the brief text in large type and the simple vocabulary, makes this a refreshing early reader. Litzinger's softly modeled, sculpturesque, watercolor, gouache and colored pencil illustrations fill the double pages with enlarged leaves and flowers as seen from a snail's point of view, all telling a charming tale of well-meaning friendship. 2007, Holiday House, $14.95. Ages 4 to 7. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-8234-1912-8
ISBN: 0-8234-1912-6
Added 08/13/08
To stay up to date on new books by this author, consider subscribing to The Children's Literature Comprehensive Database. For your free trial, click here.
If you're interested in reviewing children's and young adult books, then send a resume and writing sample to marilyn@childrenslit.com.