Books with author Joe Kelly

When the pioneering “First Family in Space” takes a catastrophic wrong turn on their maiden voyage, they crash on a dangerous alien planet. Their 21st century know-how is useless against the harsh environment, and survival seems unlikely, until they meet a strange ally...a mysterious orphan boy who’s short on temper but big on survival skills. This heartfelt adventure is the brainchild of Man of Action Entertainment (Big Hero 6, Ben 10) founder JOE KELLY (I KILL GIANTS, FOUR EYES) and lauded British cartoonist ILYA.

Tube worms are some of the strangest-looking creatures of the deep sea, not to mention they live in some of the most inhospitable places on Earth. Young readers will love discovering just how these freaky animals not only live, but thrive for centuries. Discoveries are happening constantly these days, as new technologies finally allow scientists to explore the deep sea's cold seeps and hydrothermal vents. Any library or classroom will have a home for this dynamic, accessible, age-appropriate volume filled with brilliant color photography of these freaky ocean worms.

A friendship born of monsters, comics, candy, and kinship, Joe and Pino are trying to hang onto their hearts of adventure while entering the frightening maw that is junior high school. Into their lives are thrust two girls, sarcastic, Jean, feisty with a cutting wit and Val, a nearly six foot teenager whose height is only less towering than her intellect. While exploring the complex sewer chambers under their town, they discover that the legend that has been haunting their town for two decades has a name. And as they begin to unravel the whys of stolen mail, disappearing sons, and banshee cries, their own lives are threatened. But it is their compassion, as well as their wits, that bring them through fear and the unknown, opening up the chambers of a long mystery that threatens to split apart their hometown. Ripe with humor, action and heart, Lost & Found reminds us of what it truly means to come home.

Duck wants to join a club. But he needs to be able to ROAR to join Lion Club, or TRUMPET to join Elephant Club. And all he can do is QUACK! What’s a Duck to do? Why, set up his own club of course… where everyone is welcome to join! With a laugh-out-loud text from John Kelly and brilliantly quirky illustrations by Steph Laberis, Can I Join Your Club? is a heart-warming story which celebrates the importance of diversity and friendship. Perfect for little ones who are learning to make friends at a new school or nursery.

Most people know kois as vibrant, colorful fish swimming slowly through a serene Japanese pond setting, transfixing passers-by. Most people don't know that they're some of the oldest living fish in the world. Young readers will love reading the story of Hanako, the 226-year-old, scarlet-colored koi that lived in Japan for centuries. Through vivid color photography and clean, age-appropriate writing, readers will learn about not only kois, but ecosystems, life cycles, environments, and other key science curriculum concepts.

Many people don't know that sea sponges can live for many, many centuries. We often forget that sponges are even animals, but they are. This colorful and vibrant volume introduces young readers to the wild, wacky world of sponge life. Accessible text abounds with fascinating facts sure to surprise and inspire budding scientists. Children will be introduced to key concepts such as ecosystems, life cycles, environmentalism, and climate change, accompanied by stunning photographs of these strange creatures in their mysterious habitat. These essential, curriculum-focused science themes are written in an age-appropriate and exciting way.