JONATHON LONDON BIOGRAPHY
"My ideas for stories come from experience I've had, or from dreams or leap right out of my head - from my ever-active imagination," explains Jonathan London, who burst on the children's book scene in 1992 with the publication of three picture books.
"There are worlds of possibility within our own imaginations from which we can create stories that can make someone want to cry or laugh, play a saxophone or make a snowman. This act of writing, for me, is a part of my celebration of life, a way to give back a little for all that I have been given. Kind of thanks."
Jonathan London started writing poetry in his late teens. Although he received a Masters Degree in Social Sciences and never formally studied literature or creative writing, he began to consider himself a "writer" about the time he graduated from college. After college he became a dancer in a modern dance company and worked at numerous low-paying jobs as a laborer or counselor.
However, during this twenty-year period, London continued to write. He wrote poems and short stories for adults, earning next to nothing despite being published in many literary magazines. "It wasn't until I had kids of my own that I became a writer for children," he explains. "It all started with telling them stories when they were very young. I wrote down one of these stories, and it became The Owl Who Became the Moon, my first picture book sale (though it was my fourth to appear in print). Now I am finally making a living as a writer. A dream come true!"
MORE BOOKS BY JONATHON LONDON
- (With Joseph Bruchac) Thirteen Moons on Turtle's Back: A Native American Year of Moons, illustrated by Thomas Locker, Philomel Books (New York, NY), 1992.
- The Lion Who Had Asthma, illustrated by Nadine Bernard Westcott, Albert Whitman (Morton Grove, IL), 1992.
- Froggy Gets Dressed, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz, Viking (New York, NY), 1992.
- Gray Fox, illustrated by Robert Sauber, Viking (New York, NY), 1993.
- (With Lanny Pinola) Fire Race: A Karuk Coyote Tale, illustrated by Sylvia Lang, Chronicle Books (Boston, MA), 1993.
- The Owl Who Became the Moon, illustrated by Ted Rand, Dutton (New York, NY), 1993.
- Into This Night We Are Rising, illustrated by G. Brian Karas, Viking (New York, NY), 1993.
- Voices of the Wild, illustrated by Wayne McCloughlin, Crown (New York, NY), 1993.
- The Eyes of Gray Wolf, illustrated by Jon Van Zyles, Chronicle Books (Boston, MA), 1993.
- Hip Cat (picture book), illustrated by Woodleigh Hubbard, Chronicle Books (Boston, MA), 1993.
- A Koala for Katie: An Adoption Story, illustrated by Cynthia Jabar, Albert Whitman (Morton Grove, IL), 1993.
- Let's Go, Froggy!, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz, Viking (New York, NY), 1994.
- Liplap's Wish, illustrated by Sylvia Long, Chronicle Books (Boston, MA), 1994.
- Condor's Egg, illustrated by James Chaffee, Chronicle Books (Boston, MA), 1994.
- Honey Paw and Lightfoot, illustrated by Jon Van Zyles, Chronicle Books (Boston, MA), 1994.
- Froggy Learns to Swim, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz, Chronicle Books (Boston, MA), 1995.
- The Sugaring-off Party, illustrated by Gilles Pelletier, Dutton (New York, NY), 1995.
- Like Butter on Pancakes, illustrated by G. Brian Karas, Viking (New York, NY), 1995.
- Master Elk and the Mountain Lion, illustrated by Wayne McCloughlin, Crown (New York, NY), 1995.
- Where's Home (young adult novel), Viking (New York, NY), 1995.
- Jackrabbit, illustrated by Deborah Kogan Ray, Crown (New York, NY), 1996.
- Froggy Goes to School, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz, Viking (New York, NY), 1996.
- The Village Basket Weaver, illustrated by George Crespo, Dutton (New York, NY), 1996.
- Red Wolf Country, illustrated by Daniel San Souci, Dutton (New York, NY), 1996.
- What Newt Could Do for Turtle, illustrated by Louise Voce, Candlewick Press (Cambridge, MA), 1996.
- Fireflies, Fireflies, Light My Way, illustrated by Linda Messier, Viking (New York, NY), 1996.
- Let the Lynx Come In, illustrated by Patrick Benson, Candlewick Press (Cambridge, MA), 1996.
- I See the Moon and the Moon Sees Me, illustrated by Peter Fiore, Viking (New York, NY), 1996.
- Ali, Child of the Desert, illustrated by Ted Lewin, Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books (New York, NY), 1997.
- Old Salt, Young Salt, illustrated by Todd L. W. Doney, Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books (New York, NY), 1997.
- If I Had a Horse, illustrated by Brooke Scudder, Chronicle Books (Boston, MA), 1997.
- Phantom of the Prairie: Year of the Black-footed Ferret, illustrated by Barbara Bash, Sierra Club Books for Children (San Francisco, CA), 1997.
- Little Red Monkey, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz, Dutton (New York, NY), 1997.
- Dream Weaver, illustrated by Rocco Baviera, Silver Whistle/Harcourt (San Diego, CA), 1997.
- Puddles, illustrated by G. Brian Karas, Viking (New York, NY), 1997.
- Moshi Moshi, illustrated by Yoshi Miyake, Millbrook Press (New York, NY), 1998.
- At the Edge of the Forest, illustrated by Barbara Firth, Candlewick Press (Cambridge, MA), 1998.
- Froggy's First Kiss, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz, Viking (New York, NY), 1998.
- Hurricane!, illustrated by Henri Sorensen, Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books (New York, NY), 1998.
- Tell Me a Story (autobiography), photographs by Sherry Shahan, Richard C. Owens (New York, NY), 1998.
- The Candystore Man, illustrated by Malcolm Brown, Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books (New York, NY), 1998.
- Ice Bear and Little Fox, illustrated by Daniel San Souci, Dutton (New York, NY), 1998.
- Wiggle, Waggle, illustrated by Michael Rex, Silver Whistle/Harcourt (San Diego, CA), 1999.
- Froggy Plays Soccer, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz, Viking (New York, NY), 1999.
- Froggy's Halloween, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz, Viking (New York, NY), 1999.
- Baby Whale's Journey, illustrated by Jon Van Zyles, Chronicle Books (Boston, MA), 1999.
- Shawn and Keeper and the Birthday Party, illustrated by Renée Williams-Andriani, Dutton (New York, NY), 1999.
- What Do You Love?, illustrated by Karen Lee Schmidt, Harcourt Brace (New York, NY), 2000.
- Snuggle Wuggle, illustrated by Michael Rex, Silver Whistle (San Diego, CA), 2000.
- Who Bop, illustrated by Henry Cole, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 2000.
- Shawn and Keeper: Show and Tell, illustrated by Renée Williams-Andriani, Dutton (New York, NY), 2000.
- Panther: Shadow of the Swamp, illustrated by Paul Morin, Candlewick Press (Cambridge, MA), 2000.
- Mustang Canyon, illustrated by Daniel Van Souci, Candlewick Press (Cambridge, MA), 2000.
- Froggy Goes to Bed, illustrataed by Frank Remkiewicz, Viking (New York, NY), 2000.
- Froggy Bakes a Cake, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz, Grosset & Dunlap (New York, NY) 2000.
- Froggy's Best Christmas, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz, Viking (New York, NY), 2000.
- Froggy Eats Out, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz, Viking (New York, NY), 2001.
- Froggy Takes a Bath, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz, Viking (New York, NY), 2001.
- (With Aaron London) White Water, illustrated by Jill Kastner, Viking (New York, NY), 2001.
- Where the Big Fish Are, illustrated by Adam Gustavson, Candlewick Press (Cambridge, MA), 2001.
- Sun Dance, Water Dance, illustrated by Greg Couch, Dutton (New York, NY), 2001.
- Park Beat: Rhymin' Through the Seasons, illustrated by Woodleigh Marx Hubbard, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 2001.
- Gone Again Ptarmigan, illustrated by Jon Van Zyle, National Geographic Society (Washington, DC), 2001.
- Crocodile: Disappearing Dragon, illustrated by Paul Morin, Candlewick Press (Cambridge, MA), 2001.
- Crunch Munch, illustrated by Michael Rex, Red Wagon Books (New York, NY), 2001.
- Count the Ways, Little Brown Bear, illustrated by Margie Moore, Dutton (New York, NY), 2002.
- Zack at School, illustrated by Jack Medoff, Scholastic (New York, NY), 2002.
- What the Animals Were Waiting For, illustrated by Paul Morin, Scholastic (New York, NY), 2002.
- Loon Lake, illustrated by Susan Ford, Chronicle Books (San Francisco, CA), 2002.
- Froggy Plays in the Band, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz, Viking (New York, NY), 2002.
- Froggy Goes to the Doctor, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz, Viking (New York, NY), 2002.
- When the Fireflies Come, illustrated by Terry Widener, Dutton (New York, NY), 2003.
- Giving Thanks, illustrated by Gregory Manchess, Candlewick Press (Cambridge, MA), 2003.
- Froggy's Baby Sister, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz, Viking (New York, NY), 2003.
- "Eat!" Cried Little Pig, illustrated by Delphine Durand, Dutton (New York, NY), 2003.
- Zack at the Dentist, illustrated by Jack Medoff, Scholastic (New York, NY), 2004.
- Froggy's Day with Dad, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz, Viking (New York, NY), 2004.
- Sled Dogs Run, illustrated by Jon Van Zyle, Walker (New York, NY), 2005.
- Froggy's Sleepover, illustrasted by Frank Remkiewicz, Viking (New York, NY), 2005.
- Do Your ABC's, Little Brown Bear, illustrated by Margie Moore, Dutton (New York, NY), 2005.
- A Truck Goes Rattley Bumpa, illustrated by Denis Roche, Holt (New York, NY), 2005.
- Contributor of poems and short stories to periodicals, including Cricket, Us Kids, Child Life, and Short Story International. Also author of In a Season of Birds: Poems for Maureen, sometimes under the pseudonym Jonathan Sherwood.
- London's work has been translated into Spanish, German, Greek, Dutch, Danish, French, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean.
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