Gene Barretta
Encyclopedia
Gene Barretta is an award-winning children's book author and illustrator, animator and character designer. He graduated from New York University: Tisch School of Arts with a BFA in film studies. He currently lives with his family outside of Philadelphia. Gene is also the older brother of Muppets performer, writer and director, Bill Barretta
.
Picture books include:
Bill Barretta
Bill Barretta has been performing with the Muppets since 1991, when he performed the body of family father Earl Sinclair on Dinosaurs...
.
Books
Gene began illustrating mass-market and novelty books in 2000 and eventually transitioned to picture books into 2003. He has also contributed to children's magazines such as Cobblestone, Odyssey, Faces and Appleseeds.Picture books include:
- Zoola Palooza: A Book of Homographs – Author/Illustrator. (Henry Holt & Co. - Summer 2011)
- Neo Leo: The Ageless Ideas of Leonardo Da Vinci – Author/Illustrator. (Henry Holt & Co. - Fall 2009)
- Sheetzucacapoopoo: Max Goes to the Dogs – Illustrator. Written by Joy Behar. (Dutton – Spring 2009)
- Jack the Tripper (Harcourt - Fall 2008)
- Dear Deer: A Book of Homophones - Author/Illustrator. (Henry Holt & Co. - Fall 2007)
- Sheetzucacapoopoo: My Kind of Dog – Illustrator. Written by Joy Behar. (Dutton - Fall 2006)
- Now & Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin - Author/Illustrator. (Henry Holt & Co. - Spring 2006)
TV and Film
- The Jim Henson CompanyThe Jim Henson CompanyThe Jim Henson Company, an American entertainment organization, traces its origins to the founding of Muppets, Inc. in 1958 by puppeteer Jim Henson, creator of The Muppets. The Muppets helped the company gain worldwide acclaim in family entertainment for more than four decades...
: Character Designer for projects such as, Tinseltown and The Late Night Buffet with Augie and Del. Storyboard artist on Muppets from SpaceMuppets from SpaceMuppets from Space is a 1999 science fiction comedy film and the sixth feature film to star The Muppets, and the first since the death of Muppets creator Jim Henson to have an original Muppet-focused plot. The film was directed by Tim Hill, produced by Jim Henson Pictures, and released to theaters...
. - Sesame StreetSesame StreetSesame Street has undergone significant changes in its history. According to writer Michael Davis, by the mid-1970s the show had become "an American institution". The cast and crew expanded during this time, including the hiring of women in the crew and additional minorities in the cast. The...
: Animated, wrote and scored 5 short films for Seasons 28-29. - Between The LionsBetween the LionsBetween the Lions is a PBS Kids' puppet show designed to promote reading. The show is a co-production between WGBH in Boston and Sirius Thinking, Ltd., in New York City, in association with Mississippi Public Broadcasting, in Mississippi. The show has won seven Daytime Emmy awards between 2001 and...
: Illustrated five BTL books as well as several production illustrations.
Awards
- 2007 - Carolyn Field Award for Pennsylvania Library AssociationPennsylvania Library AssociationThe Pennsylvania Library Association is the professional association for librarians in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It represents about 2,000 members affiliated with public, academic, special, and school libraries throughout the state, and was founded in 1901.Located in Harrisburg, PaLA...
for "Now & Ben."
Selected Honors
- 2011 - "Zoola Palooza" chosen among Amazon's Best Books of the Month for June.
- 2010 - NSTA/CBC Outstanding Science Trade Book for Students K-12 list for "Neo Leo."
- 2010 - Teacher's Choice Booklist by the International Reader's Association for "Neo Leo."
- 2009 - Scholastic Instructor's Magazine's "First-Rate Biographies" for "Neo Leo."
- 2008 - "Notable Children's Videos" by ALSC (American Library Assoc) for the DVD of "Now & Ben."
- 2008 - Notable Children's Book in the Language Arts by The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) for "Dear Deer."
- 2007 - CCBC Choices of 2007 "Now & Ben."
- 2007 - Best Children's Books of the Year list by the Children's Book Committee at the Bank Street College of Education for "Now & Ben."
- 2007 - Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young Readers by The National Council for Social Studies (NCSS) and the Children's Book Council for "Now & Ben."
- 2007 - Mom-Tested Books of the Year in "Parenting" magazine for "Dear Deer."
- 2006 - The New York Times Best Seller list – #3 for "Sheetzucacapoopoo: My Kind of Dog."
- 2006 - Book Sense Top Ten History Picks About The American Revolution for "Now & Ben."