Mary Casanova

Mary Casanova is an award-winning children's author of novels and picture books. Much of her work stems from her life on the Minnesota-Canadian border yet, increasingly, Casanova's research takes her as far away as France and Norway. Wherever her stories are set, Casanova engages readers of all ages with stories that both entertain and challenge readers.

Regionally, her honors include two Minnesota Book Awards, a Fellowship in Literature by the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, and Career Opportunity Grants by the Minnesota State Arts Board. Nationally, her book awards include: American Library Association "Notable," Aesop Accolades by the American Folklore Society, Parents' Choice "Gold" Award, Booklist Editor Choice, and others. Voted on by children, her books frequently land on state children's book award lists across the country.

If you'd like to learn more about Mary Casanova, a Libraries Unlimited biography is described in the Delving Deeper section of CLN's website.




			Utterly Otterly Night illustrated by Ard Hoyt Simon & Schuster, 2011 ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-1416975625 Little Otter is ready for some action! Rustling leaves call to him. Sweet, spicy air beckons. The moon is as huge and golden as Owl’s eyes. So Little Otter sets off for some fun. But with wolves on the prowl, Little Otter’s adventures are a series of dizzying close calls. When he finally returns to his den, Little Otter’s family is all played out and ready for bed!



			The Day Dirk Yeller Came to Town illustrated by Ard Hoyt Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2011 ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0374317423 When Dirk Yeller scours the town for something to stop his itchin’ and twitchin’ and jumpin’ and rattlin’, no one seems able to help. But Sam, who’s been following Dirk all day—and who can sometimes be a little fidgety, too—knows the perfect solution...



			Chrissa Stands Strong illustrated by Richard Jones American Girl, 2009 ages 7 to 10, ISBN 978-1593695675 Chrissa’s had a good summer, practicing for swim team tryouts. Then her world is shaken when she and her friends get mean text messages and there’s an accident at the pool. Can one girl put an end to the bullying? Awards & Recognition Made into the HBO movie "Chrissa Stands Strong"



			Chrissa illustrated by Richard Jones American Girl, 2009 ages 7 to 10, ISBN 978-1593695668 Chrissa Maxwell moves to a new school in the middle of the year, and the girls in her fourth-grade class are decidedly unfriendly. On the advice of her grandmother, Chrissa tries first to be nice, and then to ignore the mean girls. But they just won't quit, and when the teasing turns into serious bullying, Chrissa must find the courage to stand strong and speak out. Awards & Recognition Made into the HBO movie "Chrissa Stands Strong"



			Utterly Otterly Day illustrated by Ard Hoyt Simon & Schuster, 2008 ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-1416908685 When Little Otter sets off to explore the world on his own, his family reminds him to stay close and watch out for danger. But he's a big otter now, and he knows not to stray. Little Otter pushes his boundaries just a little too far and—with the help of his family—escapes many dangers, including a cougar, by a hair. Casanova's playful language captures the antics of Little Otter and heighten the story's drama, and Ard Hoyt's illustrations make Little Otter endearing and unforgettable. In a satisfying conclusion, Little Otter returns safely to his den, realizing that he "needs his family, no matter how big he grows."



			Dog Watch,Book 6: The Turtle-Hatching Mystery illustrated by Omar Rayyan Aladdin, 2007 ISBN-13: 978-1416947837 (pb) When Kito, Chester, and Schmitty head to Mexico with their owners, they plan on taking a vacation from their Dog Watch duties, until they discover that someone is destroying sea turtle nests on the beach. But can these Minnesota dogs uncover the mystery without getting locked up in a pound ”south of the border”?



			The Klipfish Code HoughtonMifflin, 2007 ages 9 to 12, ISBN978-0-618-88393-6 A suspenseful middle-grade novel reveals how a Norwegian girl comes to understand how moral choices are not clear-cut during a time of war. The year is 1942, and Norway is under Nazi occupation. Twelve-year-old Marit has decided to take action, despite her grandfather's warnings. But will her plan work? Can she really complete her part of this secret code? And even if she can, would it make any difference to the Resistance? As this novel reveals what Norwegian people did to preserve their dignity and freedoms, it uncovers a startling statistic: the German secret police systematically rounded up one teacher in ten and sent them to concentration camps for their refusal to teach Nazi propaganda to Norwegian schoolchildren. Set on an island of sturdy fishing trawlers and brightly painted homes, with smells of kelp and salt water, here is a riveting novel about risks taken, secrets kept, and, always, questions about whom to trust. Awards 2009 Rhode Island Children's Book Award Master list



			Dog Watch, Book 5: Extreme Stunt Dogs illustrated by Omar Rayyan Aladdin, 2007 ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-1-4169-4782-0 Canine celebrities—or dogs in trouble? When a super-size truck carrying the stars of Hollywood's Amazing Extreme Stunt Dogs shows up in Pembrook, Kito thinks there's something really weird about the owner. Can the Dog Watch gang figure out whether the dogs are truly amazing—or in a truckload of danger—before it's too late?



			Dog Watch, Book 4: To Catch A Burglar illustrated by Omar Rayyan Aladdin, 2007 ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0-6898-6813-9 There's trouble in town! A thief has struck Pembrook! Dog Watch is on the case, but they're running out of clues. Kito and the gang set a trap, but when it goes awry, they realize they're dealing with a professional. So Kito and Chester try again, putting their own home at risk. This time, it has got to work!



			Some Dog! by Mary Casanova, illustrated byArd Hoyt Farrar, Straus &Giroux, 2007 ISBN 978-0-374-37133-3 George was once a bouncy pup; now his pace is steady and slow. Still, he feels special. Then – “Ya-yippity, yappity, yeep-yeep-yeep!” – a stray dog bristling with energy lands on George’s doorstep and wiggles himself right into George’s family. Full of tricks, this new dog, Zippity, is a wonder! But when Zippity disappears, it’s George who proves that an old dog with a few tricks of his own can still be . . . SOME DOG! Expressive watercolors brimming with humor make this a perfect choice for dog lovers of any age, while any child who has felt his status usurped by a new sibling will cheer as George, a most unlikely hero, saves the day. Awards & Recognition Winner of Missouri's "Show-Me" Award



			Dog Watch, Book 3: Danger at Snow Hill illustrated by Omar Rayyan Aladdin, 2006 ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0-6898-6812-2 Something is lurking in the woods! Is it a dog? A wolf? Or maybe even a bear? Whatever it is, it's causing a lot of trouble in Pembrook—scaring kids and getting into the garbage. Dog Watch is on the case, but it has to work fast. A new person in town has decided that all dogs should be on leashes or behind fences. If Kito and the gang can't find out who is behind the trouble, they could lose their precious freedom forever!



			Dog Watch, Book 2: Dog-Napped! illustrated by Omar Rayyan Aladdin, 2006 ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0-6898-6811-5 Fall is not Kito's favorite time of year—too many strange smells and spooky sightings. All of it makes Kito nervous: Something bad is going to happen. At the fire hydrant his fears are confirmed. Missy and Muffin are missing! No one's seen them for days. They could have just wandered off, but Kito doesn't believe it. When four puppies also disappear, Kito is sure they've been dog-napped! Kito, Chester, and the rest of the Dog Watch team set out to find the dog-napper and rescue their friends—before it's too late!



			Dog Watch:Trouble inPembrook illustrated by Omar Rayyan is the first in the Dog Watch series Aladdin, 2006 ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0-689-86810-8 A ripped-down sign, a broken fire hydrant, and now Tundra, the alpha dog of Pembrook, is missing! There's trouble brewing in this quiet Minnesota town, and none of the humans seem to notice. But the dogs do! They can smell it in the air. So the dogs of Pembrook—Kito,Chester, and the rest of the gang—form Dog Watch, a canine version of Neighborhood Watch. Together, they set out to uncover the person (or animal) behind the vandalism in town and to find Tundra. Hopefully, they're not too late!

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