Books with author Barbara Bottner

Set in the 1960s, Barbara Bottner's I Am Here Now is a beautiful novel in verse about one artist’s coming of age. It’s a heartbreaking, powerful and inspiring depiction of what it's like to shatter your life—and piece it all back together.You can’t trust Life to give you decent parents, or beautiful eyes, a fine French accent or an outstanding flair for fashion. No, Life does what it wants. It’s sneaky as a thief. Maisie's first day of High school should be exciting, but all she wants is to escape.Her world is lonely and chaotic, with an abusive mother and a father who’s rarely there to help.So when Maisie, who finds refuge in her art, meets the spirited Rachel and her mother, a painter, she catches a glimpse of a very different world—one full of life, creativity, and love—and latches on.But as she discovers her strengths through Rachel’s family, Maisie, increasingly desperate, finds herself risking new friendships, and the very future she's searching for. An Imprint Book

Set in the 1960s, Barbara Bottner's I Am Here Now is a beautiful novel in verse about one artist’s coming of age. It’s a heartbreaking, powerful and inspiring depiction of what it's like to shatter your life―and piece it all back together.You can’t trust Life to give you decent parents, or beautiful eyes, a fine French accent or an outstanding flair for fashion. No, Life does what it wants. It’s sneaky as a thief. Maisie's first day of High school should be exciting, but all she wants is to escape.Her world is lonely and chaotic, with an abusive mother and a father who’s rarely there to help.So when Maisie, who finds refuge in her art, meets the spirited Rachel and her mother, a painter, she catches a glimpse of a very different world―one full of life, creativity, and love―and latches on.But as she discovers her strengths through Rachel’s family, Maisie, increasingly desperate, finds herself risking new friendships, and the very future she's searching for. An Imprint Book

There’s nothing Amy likes more than being famous. It’s so fun to sign autographs for her bear, pose for photos with her parents, and she loves getting gold stars in class. But when a new girl comes to school, suddenly she’s the superstar, and Amy is just super jealous. It's not until they spend time together that they discover something more meaningful than fame—friendship. Themes of sharing the spotlight, overcoming jealousy, and finding great friends take center stage in Amy is Famous, a picture book from renowned children’s author Barbara Bottner.An Imprint Book"Sometimes being famous isn't all that great, but this story of friendship, self-reliance, and overcoming jealousy is." —Kirkus Reviews

The Day the Crayons Quit meets Winnie the Pooh in this hilarious and tea-riffic illustrated picture book about stuffed animals who start bickering at their tea party.It’s tea time at Clarissa’s house, but her guests are not in the mood for a party: Elephant is upset about the ice cream Clarissa dropped on his head. Rabbit is still damp from being left outside. Pig has a rip that’s yet to be repaired. Monkey is miffed over being put to bed when he wasn’t even tired. Bear has been forgotten all week long. And, the stuffies declare, Clarissa thinks she’s Queen of the Universe! So instead of a tea party, Clarissa finds herself at a crankypants party! Can Clarissa and her stuffed animals make up before their tea gets cold, or will they continue to steep in their crankiness?

There’s nothing Amy likes more than being famous. It’s so fun to sign autographs for her bear, pose for photos with her parents, and she loves getting gold stars in class. But when a new girl comes to school, suddenly she’s the superstar, and Amy is just super jealous. It's not until they spend time together that they discover something more meaningful than fame―friendship. Themes of sharing the spotlight, overcoming jealousy, and finding great friends take center stage in Amy is Famous, a picture book from renowned children’s author Barbara Bottner.An Imprint Book"Sometimes being famous isn't all that great, but this story of friendship, self-reliance, and overcoming jealousy is." ―Kirkus Reviews

Barbara Bottner began writing for children in the 1970's, when she broke her leg doing off-Broadway Theater and decided to consider a different career. Having gotten a degree in painting, she began to hang out in the children's book section of libraries and bookstores. She was amazed at the originality of the art and fell in love with picture books. Slightly fickle, she also wrote I Can Reads, eventually middle grade and YA novels. She stretched out into writing for television and film and also published essays and short stories in national magazines. She returned to writing books for children and Bootsie Barker Bites, illustrated by Peggy Rathmann, a classic, was translated into eight languages and animated for television. Barbara prevailed upon her MD husband, Gerald Kruglik, to co-write Wallace's Lists, illustrated by Olof Landstrom, which was also animated, (Weston Woods) is translated into Swedish and is forthcoming in French. Barbara collaborated with Michael Emberley, resulting in Miss Brooks Loves Books (and I don't). Anyone who's ever struggled with falling in love with reading, or is the parent or teacher of a picky reader will rejoice in the way Miss Brooks handles a curmudgeon of a first grader. Miss Brooks Loves Books has appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List and is nominated for the prestigious Bill Martin Jr. Award. Barbara teaches writing and consults with writers all over the country; she was honored to receive the New School Distinguished Teaching Award in 1990.