 Helen Ketteman
Web site: www.helenketteman.com
Helen Ketteman is the author of thirteen picture books. Her books range in age from preschool through fourth or 5th-graders who may be studying tall tales in school. Helen Ketteman earned her Associate of Arts degree from Young Harris College in Young Harris, GA, and her B.A. degree in English from Georgia State University in Atlanta.
She has taught at the high school and elementary levels, and has also taught a continuing education class in writing picture books at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. She's spoken at adult writing conferences on writing picture books, and also appeared at young author conferences and on radio and television talk shows. She's a frequent speaker at elementary schools.
Now that all that's out of the way, let me really introduce myself. I'm Helen Ketteman, and I grew up in Harlem, Georgia. I lived in Georgia all my life until I married. When I was a child, we didn't have much for girls to do in our small town - there were no organized sports for girls, and no one watched television in those days. (Yes, it WAS invented!) But there wasn't much on TV for kids. And I'm glad there wasn't. Because that gave me more time to read. I read all the time when I was growing up. Books were a way I could visit places I thought I'd never go and meet people I'd never get the chance to meet. They also gave me the adventures I wanted so badly.
Reading stretched my imagination, and I started making up stories for my two younger sisters, and making up plays and inviting the neighbors. I know that the reason I'm a writer today is because I read so much as a child.
After I married, I moved to Chicago, Ill., where my two boys were born. We lived there for 10 years, then moved to Seattle, Washington. I started writing in Seattle. When I first started writing, I thought my stories were wonderful, and would sell right away. They didn't. I got rejections for 3 1/2 years. I had a LOT to learn. But I finally did learn because I kept trying. Writing is not always easy, and just because you've sold one book does not mean you'll sell the next one you write. I still get lots of rejections.
My husband and I lived in Dallas, Texas, for nine years. During my time there, I published many books, including my Texas Cinderella book, Bubba the Cowboy Prince. I spent lots of time visiting elementary schools all over Texas, talking to children and teachers about reading and writing and creating books, and getting to know Texas librarians.
Today, my husband and I have started a new adventure. We have moved to Sanibel Island in Southwest Florida. I continue to write and travel all over the country doing author visits and various speaking engagements at teachers and library conventions. Who knows where this new adventure will take me? Only time will tell, but I'll keep you posted!
I choose to write books because reading was so important to me as a child (and it still is!). Life for children growing up today is so different from when I grew up. Children are exposed to so much more through television, movies, and the Internet. They often have so much going on in their lives they barely have time to sit and read. But I think reading is still important, and something everyone should do - a LOT! And so I write my stories. It's my hope that when a child finds and reads one of my books - even a reluctant reader - he'll like it, he'll have fun with it, and make time to read another book. I write so that children will read. And once they start, who knows where it'll take them?"
Books by Helen Ketteman:
Not Yet, Yvette
Offered by several educational publishers for use in various elementary school reading programs, Not Yet, Yvette has also been released in Spanish as Todavia No, Marilo.
"It would be difficult to find more likeable party givers than this high-spirited heroine and her calmer but equally enthusiastic dad, who aptly illustrate just how much fun giving can be." Publishers Weekly
"One of the recent picture books depicting black children in happy family settings, this will appeal to any child old enough to enjoy secrets and surprises." Booklist
"The warm story is complemented and extended by pictures alive with bright color and joy of family." The Horn Book
"No sex role stereotypes here, with Dad happily assuming his share of the housework. There is a warm family feeling, a bit of suspense, and a nice little switch [at the end]." The Bulletin For The Center Of Children's Books
Grandma's Cat
The story will appeal to the many children whose ideas for befriending animals work better in their dreams than in reality .... The story reads aloud well, making this a good choice for storytime." Booklist
"Grandma's Cat is delightfully told in brief, rhymed sentences that make a charming group or individual read-aloud." School Library Journal
[Ketteman's] rhythmic, rhyming couplets speak to every child who has tried desperately to express fondness for a pet." Publisher's Weekly
The Year of No More Corn
Starred Review from The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books. Voted by N.Y. Public Library as one of the Hundred Best Picture Books of 1993. A Bank Street Writers' Children's Books of the Year, 1993.
"Ketteman spins her tall tale in a pleasingly folksy deadpan style, her vivid descriptions bringing the old man's outrageous account to life until the reader, like young Beanie, would like nothing better than to believe every word..."Publisher's Weekly
"Ketteman has a good ear for the echoes of oral phrase. The storytelling is as smooth and straightfacedly funny as the pen-and-wash art ... It's a natural collaboration that kids will take to like crows to corn." The Bulletin For The Center Of Children's Books
Luck With Potatoes
"This original tall tale, full of nonsense and humor, is perfectly suited for its intended audience." Boston Globe
"A modern tall tale that begs to be read aloud in your best Tennessee mountain twang... Don't miss the fun!" School Library Journal
"This cheerful story is embellished with scratchy, energetic illustrations that set off the hardscrabble hill country to perfection." The Horn Book
The Christmas Blizzard
"Ketteman's rollicking original tall tale has a true Christmasy flavor." Publisher's Weekly
"This is a fun-filled story with more hyperbole than a Christmas turkey has stuffing ... Leave your skepticism at the door for this one. There won't be any room for it once the snow starts flying!" School Library Journal
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