Jennifer Ward

Jennifer Ward lives in the Sonoran desert of southern Arizona, where the sights and sounds of the outdoors feed her imagination and inspire her books for children. She is the author of several picture books for children, and one for adults and children, including Way Out in the Desert, Somewhere in the Ocean, Over in the Garden, The Seed and the Giant Saguaro, The Little Creek, Forest Bright/Forest Night, There Was a Coyote Who Swallowed a Flea, and the forthcoming titles, Because You Are My Baby, Way Up in the Arctic, and I Love Dirt! 52 Projects to Help You and Your Kids Get Outside, Explore Nature and Get Dirty.

Since her first published book in 1998, Jennifer's writing has received many honors, including the American Booksellers Association Book Sense Pick, a Learning Magazine Teachers' Choice Award for Best Children's Book, a Parents' Choice Award, a Governor's First Grade Book Selection for the states of New Jersey and Arizona and Grand Canyon Reader Award honors.

A self-proclaimed nature nut who loves to travel, Jennifer immersed herself in children's literature during her years as an elementary school teacher. Following a talk at her school by notable children's author Byrd Baylor, Jennifer was inspired to follow the same path and pursue writing. Jennifer now speaks nationally at schools, colleges and literacy conferences, in hopes of inspiring others.

The Busy Tree
illustrated by Lisa Falkenstern
Marshall Cavendish, 2009
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0761455509

Spectacular oil-paint illustrations and a rhyming text that describes a tree's activities from its roots to its branches introduce young readers to the amazing activities that go on in a tree. Acorns nibbled by chipmunks, ants scurrying across a trunk, a spider spinning a web, leaves "breathing out air for all to breathe in"—everything adds up to a "busy tree" for all to "come and see."

Because You Are My Baby
illustrated by Sylvia Long
Rising Moon, 2007
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0873589116

I'll teach you everything I know, and guide you as you learn and grow, because you are my baby. A mama coyote sings moon songs through the night just as a mama human cuddles her baby and lays her down to sleep. This precious story illustrates that the love a mother feels for her child is not unlike the affection animal mothers in the desert show their offspring.

Way Up in the Arctic
illustrated by Kenneth J. Spengler
Rising Moon, 2007
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0873589284

Jennifer Ward and Kenneth Spengler have teamed up to create another wonderful, joyful, counting romp. This time they prance and dance readers through the Arctic and introduce kids to the fascinating animal mamas and babies that call the Arctic home. Set to the beloved tune of Over in the Meadow, this book will have kids singing along from one to ten with polar bears, beluga whales, Arctic foxes and more! Hey, kids! Look for the number hidden on each page!

There Was a Coyote Who Swallowed a Flea
illustrated by Steve Gray
Rising Moon, 2007
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0-87358-898-0

Skinny ol' coyote delights readers of all ages as he swallows his way through this delicious southwestern flavored retelling of the beloved traditional rhyme, I Know an Old Lady. As coyote gets bigger, the story gets zanier, as a bird, a bull and even a cactus wind up as dinner. It's pure fun for everyone—even that little flea. Call him silly to swallow a chile! Yippee-o-Ki-Yee!

Brand new release! Into its second printing within weeks of release!

Forest Bright, Forest Night
illustrated by Jamichael Henterly
Dawn Publications, 2007
preschool, board book, ISBN 978-1-58469-089-4
ages 4 to 8, picture book, ISBN 978-1-58469-066-5

Someone is always awake in the forest—and someone is always asleep! Through simple rhyme and luscious illustrations, learn about the nocturnal and diurnal animals in a forest. You can FLIP THIS BOOK over from day to night—and back again! And when you do, be sure to count the animals you see.

Awards:
Learning Magazine's Teachers' Choice Award for Best Picture Book; Book Sense Summer Pick; NSTA Recommended

The Little Creek
illustrated by Julie Scott
Western National Parks Association, 2005
ages 5 to 9, ISBN 978-1-58369-057-4

Enter the magic world of riparian areas where one little creek provides shelter to a host of plants and animals. Beavers find a home, coyotes find a place to drink, and weary birds find a place to rest during their annual migration. People also find the little creek. They make their homes along its banks. But over time the little creek is mistreated, and the people and animals must abandon it. Through the beautiful prose of Jennifer Ward and the loving illustration of Julie Scott, see what can happen when a group of determined children find the creek and restore it to its original riparian magic.

Awards:
Winner of the Association for Public Lands Media and Partnership; AwardLearning Magazine's Teachers' Choice Award for Best Picture Book; Book Sense Summer Pick; NSTA Recommended

The Seed and the Giant Saguaro
illustrated by Mike Rangner
Rising Moon, 2003
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0-87358-845-4

It all begins with the tiniest seeds:
And this is the cactus, new and spiny
That grew from a seed so black and tiny...

Follow a packrat through a cumulative, cyclical romp through the Sonoran desert as he inadvertently spreads saguaro cactus seeds, ultimately helping one grow to a new saguaro.

Awards:
Grand Canyon Reader Award Honor; Governor Napolitano's First Grade Book for the State of Arizona; Southwest Book of the Year ~ Tucson-Pima Public Libraries

Over in the Garden
illustrated by Ken Spengler
Rising Moon, 2002
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0-87358-793-8

Over in the meadow where the sunflowers grew,
Lived a mother ladybug and her little beetles two.
"Crawl!" said the mother.
"We crawl!" said the two.
So they crawled over petals where the sunflowers grew.

This playful counting book introduces readers to a garden and the animals that live there. Sing and clap to the tune of Over in the Meadow, while searching for the hidden numbers on each full-color double-page spread!

Awards:
New Jersey Governor's First Grade Book Selection

Somewhere in the Ocean
illustrated by Ken Spengler
Rising Moon, 2000
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0-87358-748-8

The ocean is brought to life as animal parents and their offspring cavort and splash their way from one to ten! Manatees nibble, otters munch, and killer whales splash as readers sing to the familiar tune of Over in the Meadow. Hidden numbers on each full color illustration.

Awards:
Parents' Choice Award Winner

Way Out in the Desert
illustrated by Ken Spengler
Rising Moon, 1998
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0-87358-687-0

Way out in the desert having fun in the sun,
Lived a mother horned toad and her little toady one.

So begins the counting rhyme set in the colorful Sonoran desert, where readers sing their way from one to ten; and from day to night, while learning about the plants and animals of the desert. Hidden numbers on each full color illustration.

Awards:
Grand Canyon Reader Award Honor