Barbara M. Joosse

AmericanFamily SagaMagical RealismPicture BookChildren's Bookb. 1949

Barbara M. Joosse is an American children's writer who has been writing for over thirty years. She has published over fifty books for children, including picture books and chapter books. Her writing often explores themes of connection and difference between people. Her books have been translated into numerous languages, and she has toured worldwide to promote them. She is known for her lyrical style and for including metaphors that help children grow from the inside out. Some of her most well-known works include "Mama, Do You Love Me?" and "I Love You the Purplest."

Website

Awards

['Golden Kite Award, 1991', "California Children's Book Award, 1992", 'Council for Wisconsin Writers, Archer Eckblad Award', 'Austrian Honor Book', "Nevada Young Reader's Award", '"Living the Dream" book award, 2002', 'Wisconsin Library Association, Outstanding Achievement', '10 Best Illustrated Books, New York Times', "Best Picture Book Text, Society of Children's Book Writers", 'New York Library Association Top Book of the Season', "Chicago Library's Best", "ABC's Best Books for Children", 'CCBC 2005 Choices', 'Book of the Week, Booklist', "Kansas State Reading Circle's recommended list", "2022 Outstanding Achievement in Children's Literature from The Wisconsin Library Association"]

Notable Works

['Mama, Do You Love Me?', 'I Love You the Purplest', 'Lewis and Papa: Adventure on the Santa Fe Trail', 'Stars in the Darkness', 'Grandma Calls Me Beautiful', 'Wild Willie and King Kyle, Detectives', 'Nugget and Darling', 'Ghost Wings', 'Hot City', 'Nikolai, the Only Bear', 'The Morning Chair', 'Sail Away Dragon', 'Lovabye Dragon', 'Pieces of the Picture', 'The Pitiful Life of Simon Schultz', "Death's Door"]