Barbara Joosse is an author of 32 books for children, including picture books and early chapter books. Her books are translated into twenty-four languages, and she has traveled world-wide to promote them. Many of them have won awards, most recently Stars in the Darkness which was awarded the Golden Kite honor book for picture book text by the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and Papa, Do You Love Me? which was named a Best Book of 2005 by the Chicago Public Library. While Barbara's books embrace many cultures, voices, themes and moods, they have many elements in common—hope, warmth, lyrical language, metaphor, and often, humor. The strong resource of family, its affection and resiliency, is a theme that runs through nearly all of her books.

Barbara has several new books under contract for the coming years. A Wisconsin resident, she looks forward to visiting schools, writer's groups, and conferences when she has an opportunity.

Please Is a Good Word to Say
illustrated by Jennifer Plecas
Philomel, 2007
ISBN 978-0-399-24217-5

Please is a good word to say. It puts a smile on your words. And that’s not the only advice curly-burly-haired Harriet has for you. Asking, taking, interrupting, eating, answering the phone—if there’s a nice way to do it, Harriet can tell you just how to do it.

Jennifer Plecas’ infectious illustrations bring Barbara Joosse’s hilarious heroine to life in this offbeat and adorable approach to manners. Kids will be (very politely) clamoring to hear it over and over again . . . and parents will be pleased to oblige.

Wind-Wild Dog
illustrated by Katie Keisler
Henry Holt and Co., 2006
ISBN 978-0-8050-7053-8

Ziva heard the call of the wild. Most mushers believed that Ziva’s eyes of different colors made her half wild, so no one wanted her. But one man took a liking to her.

As Ziva begins to trust the Man, she learns to use her wild energy to pull his sled, but she’s torn between her love for the Man and the wolf’s call. Will she stay . . . or go?

This story has been growing in Barbara Joosse’s head since a friend told her about his dog, Ziva, who was “wild as a wolf and white as the snow.” Kate Kiesler’s striking full-color art perfectly captures Ziva’s struggle in this powerful book.

Awards
CCBC 2007 Choices; Kansas State Reading Circle's 2007 recommended list

Dead Guys Talk
Clarion, 2006
ages 7 to 10, ISBN 978-0-618-30666-4

It's the dead middle of summer, and Willie, Kyle, and Lucy—otherwise known as the Scarface Detectives—are hot and bored. Then they receive a map to the town cemetery, along with a mysterious note pleading for help. Another note tells them that someone wants to sell the graveyard and move the bodies! And according to the note, the dead guys don't want to leave!

The detectives need to do some serious sleuthing to figure out who the greedy seller is and then come upw ith a strategy to stop the plans. But there's even a spookier mystery to be solved: Who is their client? Could it be one of the bodies in the cemetery?

Can dead guys ... gulp ... talk?

Papa, Do You Love Me?
illustrated by Barbara Lavallee
Chronicle Books, 2005
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0-8118-4265-5

This follow-up to the best-selling Mama, Do You Love Me? (over one million copies sold in 15 languages!) captures the universal love between a father and child. Set in Africa and featuring the Maasai culture, the beautiful watercolor illustrations, lyrical text, and enduring message are sure to make this another instant classic.

Awards
New York Library Association Top Book of the Season; Chicago Library's Best of 2006; ABC's Best Books for Children; 2005 New York Library Association Best of the Season; ABC Best Books for Children 2005

Nikolai, the Only Bear
illustrated by Renata Liewska
Philomel Books, 2005
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0-399-23884-0

Nikolai is one of a hundred children in a Russian orphanage. He hopes to be adopted, but he is rough around the edges and he growls when he talks. A couple from America see through to the real bear, and bring him to their home.

Bad Dog School
illustrated by Jennifer Plecas
Clarion, 2004
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0-618-13331-4

Zippy was a dog with a little too much . . . zip. But that’s the way Harris, his owner, liked him. Zippy made everything more fun, from digging for treasure in the garden to making tidal waves in the tub. The rest of Harris’s family thought Zippy needed obedience school. But obedience school made Zippy so well-behaved that he was no fun at all. Luckily, Harris knew just what to do: send Zippy to Bad Dog School! Barbara M. Joosse’s uncanny understanding of the relationship between children and animals is showcased in this sweet, funny story about compromise.

Hot City
illustrated by R. Gregory Christie
Philomel, 2004
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0-399-23640-2

Stars in the Darkness
illustrated by R. Gregory Christie
Chronicle Books, 2002
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0-8118-2168-1

In the imagination of a young inner-city boy, police sirens sound like howling wolves, streetlights look like stars, and shots fired by neighborhood gangs sound like those stars cracking the darkness. But when his older brother joins a gang, he can no longer pretend. With the help of his mother, he comes up with a plan to save his brother and unite his neighbors in a stand for peace. The realistic yet uplifting words of best-selling author Barbara M. Joosse combine with powerful illustrations by award-winning artist R. Gregory Christie in this hope-filled story. One young boy’s courage can make a difference.

Awards
Golden Kite Honor Book for Picture Book Text, 2003; Ten Best Illustrated Picture Books 2002, New York Times

Mama, Do You Love Me?
illustrated by Barbara Lavallee
Chronicle Books, 2001 (10th Anniversary Edition)
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0-8118-3212-0

"Charming, vibrant watercolor illustrations expand the simple rhythmic text, adding to the characters' personalities and to the cultural information.
—School Library Journal, starred review.

Translated into twenty-one languages

Ghost Wings
illustrated by Giselle Potter
Chronicle Books, 2001
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0-8118-2164-3

Shortly before her death, a little Mexican's girl's grandmother (who is also her best friend) takes her to the Magic Circle of oyamel fir trees to say goodbye to the monarch butterflies as they prepare for their migration north. Even after a butterfly that has landed on the girl's arm flies away, her arm still tickles. "That's because they carry the souls of the old ones, and the old ones never really leave," Grandmother says. After Grandmother dies, all the sad little girl can think about is that her arm doesn't feel the tickle anymore, and her grandmother's scent of cornmeal and roses is fading as well. It's not until the season for the Days of the Dead, the time to remember the old ones, that the girl discovers the truth of her beloved grandmother's words. (from Amazon.com)

Awards
Honored by the Smithsonian November, 2002

Alien Brain Fryout: a Wee Willie Mystery
illustrated by Sue Truesdell
Clarion Books, 2000
ages 9 to 12, ISBN 978-0-395-68964-6

When the neighborhood bully starts following Willy, Lucy, and Kyle around and acting goofy, they suspect that he's been abducted by aliens until Scarface the parrot presents another possibility.

Houseful of Christmas
illustrated by Betsy Lewin
Henry Holt, 2001
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0-8050-6391-2

A traditional, heart-warming family Christmas celebration.

Whhhhh went the wind,
but everyone was snug.
Shhhhhh went the snow,
but everyone was together.

Every Christmas, Granny's house is brim full of family and festive cheer — carols and presents and plenty of food, bows and gift wrap for Fat Cat to play with, and lots of company for Granny and her dog, Edgar. This Christmas, snow starts to fall and it doesn't stop. Instead of going home, the whole family hunkers down for a cozy night in Granny's warm house. Even during a blizzard, there's no place better than Granny's house for Christmas.

Snow Day!
illustrated by Jennifer Plecas
Houghton Mifflin, 1999
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0-395-96890-1

"It's a snow day!" The schools are closed! Robby's sisters want to stay inside, and their parents are busy, but Robby and his dog Zippy know what to do: run and kick and lick and skid in the new snow. Their enthusiasm soon involves the whole family in a spirited snowball fight and a snug evening by the fire. Barbara M. Joosse's exuberant story and Jennifer Plecas's lively illustrations capture the pure fun of an unexpected winter holiday.

Lewis & Papa
illustrated by Jon Van Zyle
Chronicle Books, 1998
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0-8118-1959-6

The exciting and poignant story of a father and son's Wild West adventure. Amidst the buffalo stampedes and coyotes, the dark clouds of dust and heat, Lewis learns that being a man is more than bulging muscles and Papa discovers that being tender is sometimes the most courageous act of all.

Ghost Trap: a Wee Willie Mystery
illustrated by Sue Truesdell
Clarion Books, 1998
ages 9 to 12, ISBN 978-0-395-66587-9

In the third uproarious adventure of Wild Willie and his fellow detectives, Willie is thrilled when his old best friend, Kyle, moves back to the neighborhood. His new best friend, Lucy, is not so thrilled, and friction ensues as she and Kyle compete for Willie's attention. But all three can agree on one thing: Kyle's new house is mysterious! The previous occupant-whom they dub Loony Loraine-died in the bedroom that is now Kyle's, and strange noises and voices can be heard from a secret passageway. Is Loony Loraine haunting the premises? Wild Willie, King Kyle, and Lucky Lucy put aside their differences and hatch a plan to catch a ghost. The three young detectives work out the snags in their friendship while bringing the mystery to a successful-and hilarious-solution.

Nugget & Darling
illustrated by Sue Truesdell
Clarion Books, 1997
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0-395-64571-0

Nell and her dog, Nugget, are best friends. However, when Nell finds a stray kitten, everything changes. But then Nell realizes she's hurt Nugget, and she finds a way to show him that he will always have a special place in her heart and beside her bed.

I Love You the Purplest
illustrated by Mary Whyte
Chronicle Books, 1996
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0-8118-0718-0

A wise and loving mother reassures two brothers that each has a special place in her heart. Barbara Joosse's heartwarming text is beautifully complimented by Mary Whyte's engaging watercolor illustrations.

Morning Chair
illustrated by Marcia Sewell
Clarion Books, 1995
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0-395-62337-4

Bram and his family leave their small village in the Netherlands to build a new life amid the hustle and bustle of New York City.

Losers Fight Back: a Wee Willie Mystery
illustrated by Sue Truesdell
Clarion Books, 1994
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0-395-62335-0

With some help from their detective partner, King Kyle in Cleveland, Willie and Lucy figure out how to turn their soccer team into winners and outwit the school bully while Willie worries that people will think his friend Lucy is his girlfriend.

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