TED Talk -- Jarrett J. Krosoczka

Jarrett J. Krosoczka writes books that kids connect with on so many levels, through his artwork, his humor, his understanding of childhood.  When I am asked for a recommendation from a parent going in to a classroom to read, I want to give them a sure fire hit. I give them a Krosoczka picture book. 

I did not think I could be a bigger fan girl but now I've viewed his TED talk.

Krosoczka's TED talk should be a must view for everyone.

Halloween: Annie Was Warned

Annie Was Warned by Jarrett J. Krosoczka.  Knopf, 2003

In all his books, Jarrett Krosoczka conveys a playful insight into children that is a rare and fine thing.  Anyone who has shared his books as read-alouds can attest to the response to them from young listeners.

His children look out from the page into the eyes of the child holding the book and recognition sparks there.  Krosoczka's "serious" bio on his website mentions that he worked summers at camps, including the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp,  for children dealing with illnesses and other serious life issues.  I understand something about that kind of work as a parent whose child has benefited from similar summer experiences.  Krosoczka has looked into the eyes of children who are facing challenging and profound hurdles in their lives. I think he saw something very elemental at the core of childhood there.  That understanding shines through his work.


His work touches on many aspects of the every day lives of children. A bad, self-inflicted haircut is the reason for Baghead. Class elections in Max for President and dreams of rock stardom echo in the Punk Farm tales.  Lunchtime, the heart and hub of every school day (for better or worse) is acknowledged in the exploits of The Lunch Lady who defends the cafeteria, the school and the students in the graphic novel series.

In Annie Was Warned, Annie's birthday is on Halloween.  She tests her nerve and courage by going to a creepy, haunted? house, on a dare, on Halloween night.  On the book cover, Annie peers around a door.  Her eyes are wide. Her face registers apprehension and fear but she IS moving forward, shining her flashlight into the eyes of the reader, dazzling us with the light and her bravery. Krosoczka's artistic technique, composition, color palette evoke the eeriness of the night and solitude of the child in the book's paintings.  There is a fun and happily-ever-after to reward her courage. 

Halloween clearly inspires his storytelling.  Admire his pumpkins photos on his blog, The JJK Blog.  Each photo could be the jumping off point for a tale or two.

Max for President

Max for President by Jarrett J. Krosoczka, Knopf, 2004

I read this to a group of first graders just before the election. My quick pre-reading designated this books as instructive and straight-forward, "here's how we vote" book. I was delighted but unprepared for how much the children loved this little story.

Max, a boy, is running for class president and Kelly, a girl, also decides to run. Both children make posters and hand out buttons and campaign with their plans to improve the school.

When Max outlined his platform, many of the boys cheered. Then the girls clapped when Kelly spoke. Then I heard the little voice at my feet that softly said, "I wish they both could win."
Aww..

When is was clear that Max had NOT won, another voice suggested, "He could be vice president," anticipating the direction of the story.

I was honestly moved when the children all clapped and whooped as I finished. Both Max and Kelly work together to make their school a better place. The children were totally engaged by Krosoczka's expressive illustrations. The children were, clearly, drawn to these characters and identified with them.

What a little treasure.

This was the first Krosoczka book I've had the honor to read aloud. I cannot wait to read more of his books to kids.

Clever lad, that Jarrett.

Author School Visit:: Jarrett J. Krosoczka

BookMoot had a treat Friday.

I got to sit-in on an author visit and saw HMOCL Jarrett Krosoczka, talk to first and second graders at a local elementary school.


Krosoczka is a genial presence and he tells the story (I always want to hear a story) of how he became a published author/illustrator. His presentation began with his childhood writing and artwork. It occurred to me that he was lucky to have preserved his school age efforts. (The location of my own entlings' artwork is in question...I gotta get organized.) The kids connected with his childhood drawings as the work of a "contemporary."

Throughout his talk he engaged the kids by having them guess the numbers of times he faced rejection in his efforts to get into his art school of choice and to get his books published.


The wiggle level in this crowd was low. First and second graders bodies just have to m-o-v-e but their eyes were on Krosoczka every minute. The cheers that greeted his decision to read Punk Farm were loud and gratifying. Invited to play along with the band, the youngsters furiously played air guitars, drums, bass and keyboards.

I was very pleased with the quality of the questions. Only one "where do you get your ideas?" was uttered and one second grader asked him for the name of his publisher! To hear a second grader use the word "publisher" must have been a sublime moment for his librarian.

Krosoczka also gets huge BookMoot kudos for adding a little drawing to each book he signs. It takes extra time when the stacks are high but what a treasure for a child!

Memo to self: Remember that lunch time is the chance for a presenter to rest their voice, sit down, and EAT! They have an afternoon of performances to prepare for, physically. Let him enjoy his chips and salsa in peace.

Jarrett will be speaking at the "Mockingbirds and Armadillos: Local Elementary Reading Programs" session on Thursday, April 17, 2008 at the Texas Library Association Annual Conference, in Dallas.

• Jarrett Krosoczka's website and blog ... his page on School Visits is a good model for authors adding this information to their own sites

• NPR "Book Tour" - Jarrett J. Krosoczka Rocks with 'Punk Farm'
  
  
• Seven Imp's interview with a myriad of links