Kelly DiPucchio

Kelly DiPucchio (born March 7, 1967) is an American writer of children's books. DiPucchio was born in Warren, Michigan.^[1] She attended Michigan State University where she graduated in 1989 in child psychology and development.^[2] She currently lives in Detroit, Michigan.^[3] Her books have made the New York Times bestseller list.^[4]

Work

DiPucchio's first published work, Bed Hogs (2004), is about a piglet who is the runt of the litter and has no room to sleep at night.^[5]

The story, Grace for President (2008), was written after an editor's preschool girl asked why there were no women presidents of the United States.^[6] The story follows Grace, an African-American girl as she runs in a mock election at her school.^[6] Grace for President is a "helpful introduction to the electoral system and empowering story for girls," according to Booklist.^[7] The story has had a cultural effect in the U.S., where children have even dressed up as Grace for Halloween.^[6] The book was listed on The New York Times Best Seller list in 2008.^[8]

DiPucchio was also able to collaborate with Queen Rania Al Abdullah from Jordon in the book, The Sandwich Swap (2010).^[4]

Zombie in Love (2011) is a love story about a zombie, named Mortimer, who finally meets meets the girls of his dreams. Kirkus Reviews wrote that DiPucchio's writing was "loaded with humorous understatement."^[9] Zombie in Love has been turned into a stage play written by Michelle Elliot and with music by Danny Larsen.^[10]

Crafty Chloe: Dress-Up Mess-Up (2013)provides "insight into the creative process" according to Kirkus Reviews.^[11]

Gaston (2014), a story about a bulldog being accidentally raised by poodles in a comic baby-mix-up story brings up the concepts of nature versus nurture and also about difficult concepts such as assimilation and gender.^[12] Publishers Weekly called Gaston a blend of sweetness and style.^[13]

Two of DiPucchio's stories, were IRA Teachers' Choices Reading List awardees: Grace for President was selected in 2009 and Gaston was selected in 2015.^[14] Gaston was also selected as a 2015 Notable Children's Book for younger readers by the Association for Library Service to Children.^[15] In 2014, she was awarded the Gwen Frostic Award, granted by the Michigan Reading Association to an illustrator or author from the state who has helped promote literacy.^[16] Crafty Chloe won the 2012 NAPPA Gold Award in the category of Preschoolers & Up.^[17] The Sandwich Swap was approved by the 2010 Parents Choice Award.^[17] This book was co-written by Queen Rania al Abdullah of Jordon^[1] and appeared on The New York Times Best Seller list in 2010.^[18]

Publications

• Bed Hogs, illustrated by Howard Fine, Hyperion Books for Children (New York, NY), 2004 ISBN 978-0786818846
• Liberty's Journey, illustrated by Richard Egielski, Hyperion Books for Children (New York, NY), 2004 ISBN 978-0786818761
• Dinosnores, illustrated by Ponder Goembel, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 2005 ISBN 978-0060515775
• Mrs. McBloom, Clean Up Your Classroom!, illustrated by Guy Francis, Hyperion Books for Children (New York, NY), 2005 ISBN 978-0786809325
• What's the Magic Word?, illustrated by Marsha Winborn, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 2005 ISBN 978-0060005788
• Grace for President, illustrated by LeUyen Pham, Hyperion Books for Children (New York, NY), 2008 ISBN 978-1423139997
• Sipping Spiders through a Straw: Campfire Songs for Monsters, illustrated by Gris Grimly, Scholastic Press (New York, NY), 2008 ISBN 978-0439584012
• How to Potty Train Your Monster, illustrated by Mike Moon, Disney-Hyperion (New York, NY), 2009 ISBN 978-1423101826
• Alfred Zector, Book Collector, illustrated by Macky Pamintuan, Harper (New York, NY), 2010 ISBN 978-0060005818
• The Sandwich Swap, with Queen Rania al Abdullah, illustrated by Tricia Tusa, Disney-Hyperion Books (New York, NY), 2010 ISBN 978-1423124849
• Clink, illustrated by Matthew Myers, Balzer & Bray (New York, NY), 2011 ISBN 978-0061929281
• Gilbert Goldfish Wants a Pet, illustrated by Bob Shea, Dial Books for Young Readers (New York, NY), 2011 ISBN 978-0803733947
• Zombie in Love, illustrated by Scott Campbell, Atheneum Books for Young Readers (New York, NY), 2011 ISBN 978-1442402706
• Crafty Chloe, illustrated by Heather Ross, Atheneum Books for Young Readers (New York, NY), 2012 ISBN 978-1442421233
• Dress-Up Mess-Up, illustrated by Heather Ross, Atheneum Books for Young Readers (New York, NY), 2013 ISBN 978-1442421240
• Gaston, illustrated by Christian Robinson, 2014 ISBN 978-1442451025
• Zombie in Love 2+1, illustrated by Scott Campbell, 2014 ISBN 978-1442459373
• Dog Days of School, illustrated by Brian Biggs, 2014 ISBN 978-0786854936

References

External links

• Kelly DiPucchio Blog
• Author's website