James Howe
Encyclopedia
James Howe is the American
author
of over 80 juvenile
and young adult books, including the Bunnicula
series, about a vampire rabbit that sucks the juice out of vegetables.
" comic strip as well as a variety of short stories
and self-published newspapers, his favorite being "the Gory Gazette," made for a self-founded club: Vampire Legion.
Howe would continue to write plays during his theater studies at Boston University
, and eventually move to New York City
to pursue a career as an actor and model while directing plays and working as a literary agent.
In the mid-1970s, Howe's mother-in-law encouraged him and his wife, Deborah Howe
, to create a children's story based on a character the two had created while watching older Dracula
movies, which at the time were played late at night on TV in the 1970s. With his wife, he created Bunnicula: A Rabbit Tale of Mystery, about a pet rabbit suspected of being a vampire. The book would go on to win more than ten Children's Choice awards, including the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award and the Nene Award, and eventually evolve into a series. Shortly after Bunnicula
was published Deborah fell victim to cancer and died, inspiring the creation of The Hospital Book.
After the death of his first wife, Howe remarried and fathered a daughter, Zoey. Howe and his second wife divorced after Howe came out as gay
.
In 1981, Howe began writing full-time. In addition to the Bunnicula series, Howe has written picture books, children's novels, nonfiction, adaptations of classic stories, and screenplays for movies and television. Over ten years ago, he published his first two young adult novels, The Watcher and The Misfits. The Misfits, itself inspired by his daughter Zoey's difficult experiences in middle school, was the inspiration behind GLSEN's annual No Name-Calling Week.
In 2007, James Howe was the recipient of The E.B. White Read Aloud Award for Picture Books for his book Houndsley and Catina, illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay
, and published by Candlewick Press
.
On September 17th, 2011, Howe married Mark Davis, a partner in the New York law firm Engel and Davis, at a home in Dorset, VT.
and Patrick Mulvihill.
. Audiobook versions of many titles in this series were released featuring narrator Joe Grifasi
.
was released. It features a unique story and it is illustrated by Alan Daniel and Lea Daniel.
's Muppets & Muppet Babies
:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
of over 80 juvenile
Children's literature
Children's literature is for readers and listeners up to about age twelve; it is often defined in four different ways: books written by children, books written for children, books chosen by children, or books chosen for children. It is often illustrated. The term is used in senses which sometimes...
and young adult books, including the Bunnicula
Bunnicula
Bunnicula is a children's book series written by James Howe about a vampire bunny that sucks the juice out of vegetables. It is also the name of the first book in the series, published 1979 .The story is centered on the Monroe family and their pets and is told from the perspective of their dog...
series, about a vampire rabbit that sucks the juice out of vegetables.
Biography
At the age of nine or ten, Howe wrote a play based on the "BlondieBlondie (comic strip)
Blondie is an American comic strip created by cartoonist Chic Young. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, the strip has been published in newspapers since September 8, 1930...
" comic strip as well as a variety of short stories
Short Stories
Short Stories may refer to:*A plural for Short story*Short Stories , an American pulp magazine published from 1890-1959*Short Stories, a 1954 collection by O. E...
and self-published newspapers, his favorite being "the Gory Gazette," made for a self-founded club: Vampire Legion.
Howe would continue to write plays during his theater studies at Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
, and eventually move to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to pursue a career as an actor and model while directing plays and working as a literary agent.
In the mid-1970s, Howe's mother-in-law encouraged him and his wife, Deborah Howe
Deborah Howe
Deborah Howe wrote the children's books Bunnicula and Teddy Bear's Scrapbook along with her husband James Howe in the late 1970s. She died of cancer at age 31 after Bunnicula was published. She graduated from Boston University and worked as a theater actress before becoming a writer...
, to create a children's story based on a character the two had created while watching older Dracula
Dracula
Dracula is an 1897 novel by Irish author Bram Stoker.Famous for introducing the character of the vampire Count Dracula, the novel tells the story of Dracula's attempt to relocate from Transylvania to England, and the battle between Dracula and a small group of men and women led by Professor...
movies, which at the time were played late at night on TV in the 1970s. With his wife, he created Bunnicula: A Rabbit Tale of Mystery, about a pet rabbit suspected of being a vampire. The book would go on to win more than ten Children's Choice awards, including the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award and the Nene Award, and eventually evolve into a series. Shortly after Bunnicula
Bunnicula
Bunnicula is a children's book series written by James Howe about a vampire bunny that sucks the juice out of vegetables. It is also the name of the first book in the series, published 1979 .The story is centered on the Monroe family and their pets and is told from the perspective of their dog...
was published Deborah fell victim to cancer and died, inspiring the creation of The Hospital Book.
After the death of his first wife, Howe remarried and fathered a daughter, Zoey. Howe and his second wife divorced after Howe came out as gay
Gay
Gay is a word that refers to a homosexual person, especially a homosexual male. For homosexual women the specific term is "lesbian"....
.
In 1981, Howe began writing full-time. In addition to the Bunnicula series, Howe has written picture books, children's novels, nonfiction, adaptations of classic stories, and screenplays for movies and television. Over ten years ago, he published his first two young adult novels, The Watcher and The Misfits. The Misfits, itself inspired by his daughter Zoey's difficult experiences in middle school, was the inspiration behind GLSEN's annual No Name-Calling Week.
In 2007, James Howe was the recipient of The E.B. White Read Aloud Award for Picture Books for his book Houndsley and Catina, illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay
Marie-Louise Gay
Marie-Louise Gay is a Canadian children’s author and illustrator.- Background :Born in Quebec City, as a child she lived in Montreal and Vancouver. Gay has received numerous awards for her written and illustrated works in both French and English, including the 2005 Vicky Metcalf Award, multiple...
, and published by Candlewick Press
Candlewick Press
Candlewick Press, established in 1991 and located in Somerville, Massachusetts, is the American division of the British publisher Walker Books Ltd....
.
On September 17th, 2011, Howe married Mark Davis, a partner in the New York law firm Engel and Davis, at a home in Dorset, VT.
Bunnicula series
Audiobook versions were also released featuring narrators Victor GarberVictor Garber
Victor Joseph Garber is a Canadian film, stage and television actor and singer. Garber is known for playing Jesus in Godspell, Jack Bristow in the television series Alias, Max in Lend Me a Tenor, and Thomas Andrews in James Cameron's Titanic.-Early life:Born in London, Ontario, Canada, Garber is...
and Patrick Mulvihill.
- Bunnicula: A Rabbit-Tale of MysteryBunnicula: A Rabbit-Tale of MysteryBunnicula: A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery is a children's novel by James Howe, the first in his Bunnicula series. The series chronicles the adventures of the Monroe family and their pets, Harold the dog, Chester the cat, and Bunnicula the rabbit...
(with Deborah Howe) (1979) (also released as a 25th Anniversary edition) - Howliday Inn (1982)
- The Celery Stalks at Midnight (1983)
- Nighty-Nightmare (1987)
- Return to Howliday Inn (1992)
- Bunnicula Strikes Again! (1999)
- Bunnicula Meets Edgar Allan Crow! (2006)
Harold and Chester over-sized picture books
All illustrated by Leslie H. Morrill (except Rabbit-Cadabra! which was illustrated by Alan Daniel).- The Fright Before Christmas (1988)
- Scared Silly: A Halloween Treat (1988)
- Hot Fudge (1991)
- Creepy-Crawly Birthday (1992)
- Rabbit-Cadabra! (1993)
- A Book of 3 Spooky Plays - Play versions of Creepy-Crawly Birthday, The Fright Before Christmas, and Scared Silly: A Halloween Treat
Tales from the House of Bunnicula series
All illustrated by Brett HelquistBrett Helquist
Brett L. Helquist is an American illustrator best known for his work in the children's books A Series of Unfortunate Events. As such, his illustrations for that series have appeared in multiple media, including the books, the audiobook covers, the calendars, and so on.- Background :According to...
. Audiobook versions of many titles in this series were released featuring narrator Joe Grifasi
Joe Grifasi
Joseph G. "Joe" Grifasi is an American character actor of film, stage and television.Grifasi was born in Buffalo, New York, the son of Patricia and Joseph J. Grifasi, a skilled laborer. Grifasi graduated from Bishop Fallon High School, a now defunct Catholic high school in Buffalo. He played...
.
- It Came From Beneath the Bed! (2002)
- Invasion of the Mind Swappers from Asteroid 6! (2002)
- Howie Monroe and the Doghouse of Doom (2003)
- Screaming Mummies of the Pharaoh's Tomb II (2003)
- Bud Barkin, Private Eye (2004)
- The Odorous Adventures of Stinky Dog (2003)
- Tales From the House of Bunnicula: Writing Journal (a blank journal featuring artwork by Brett Helquist)
Bunnicula and Friends a Ready-To-Read series
Many of these titles are re-workings of previously released Bunnicula books rewritten by James Howe for younger readers and featuring new illustrations by Jeff Mack.- The Vampire Bunny (2004)
- Hot Fudge (2004)
- Scared Silly (2004)
- Rabbit-Cadabra (2006)
- The Fright Before Christmas (2006)
- Creepy Crawly Birthday (2005)'Bold text
Bunnicula pop-up book
One Bunnicula related pop-up bookPop-up book
The term pop-up book is often applied to any three-dimensional or movable book, although properly the umbrella term movable book covers pop-ups, transformations, tunnel books, volvelles, flaps, pull-tabs, pop-outs, pull-downs, and more, each of which performs in a different manner...
was released. It features a unique story and it is illustrated by Alan Daniel and Lea Daniel.
- Bunnicula Escapes!: A Pop-up Adventure (1994)
Bunnicula activity, fact, and joke books
All illustrated by Alan Daniel.- Bunnicula's Wickedly Wacky Word Games: a Book for Word Lovers & Their Pencils! (1998)
- Bunnicula's Frightfully Fabulous Factoids: a Book to Entertain Your Brain! (1999)
- Bunnicula's Pleasantly Perplexing Puzzlers: A Book of Puzzles, Mazes, & Whatzits! (1999)
- Bunnicula's Long-lasting Laugh-alouds: a Book of Jokes & Riddles to Tickle Your Bunny-Bone! (1999)
Pinky and Rex series
All illustrated by Melissa Sweet- Pinky and Rex (1990)
- Pinky and Rex Get Married (1990)
- Pinky and Rex and the Spelling Bee (1991)
- Pinky and Rex and the Mean Old Witch (1991)
- Pinky and Rex Go To Camp (1992)
- Pinky and Rex and the New Baby (1993)
- Pinky and Rex and the Double-dad Weekend (1995)
- Pinky and Rex and the Bully (1996)
- Pinky and Rex and the New Neighbors (1997)
- Pinky and Rex and the School Play (1998)
- Pinky and Rex and the Perfect Pumpkin (1998)
- Pinky and Rex and the Just-right Pet (2001)
Sebastian Barth Mystery series
- What Eric Knew (1985)
- Eat your Poison, Dear (1986)
- Stage Fright (1986)
- Dew Drop Dead (1990)
There's a series
- There's a Monster Under My Bed (1986)
- There's a Dragon in My Sleeping Bag (1994)
Horace and Morris (and Dolores) series
All illustrated by Amy Walrod- Horace and Morris, but Mostly Dolores (1999)
- Horace and Morris Join the Chorus, but What About Dolores (2002)
- Horace and Morris Say Cheese (Which Makes Dolores Sneeze!) (2009)
Houndsley and Catina series
All illustrated by Marie-Louise GayMarie-Louise Gay
Marie-Louise Gay is a Canadian children’s author and illustrator.- Background :Born in Quebec City, as a child she lived in Montreal and Vancouver. Gay has received numerous awards for her written and illustrated works in both French and English, including the 2005 Vicky Metcalf Award, multiple...
- Houndsley and Catina (2006)
- Houndsley and Catina and the Birthday Surprise (2007)
- Houndsley and Catina and the Quiet Time (2008)
- Houndsley and Catina Plink and Plunk (2009)
The Muppets books
Book based on Jim HensonJim Henson
James Maury "Jim" Henson was an American puppeteer best known as the creator of The Muppets. As a puppeteer, Henson performed in various television programs, such as Sesame Street and The Muppet Show, films such as The Muppet Movie and The Great Muppet Caper, and created advanced puppets for...
's Muppets & Muppet Babies
Muppet Babies
Jim Henson's Muppet Babies is an American animated television series that aired from September 15, 1984 to November 2, 1991 on CBS. The show portrayed childhood versions of the Muppets living together in a large nursery in the care of a human woman called Nanny...
:
- The Case of the Missing Mother (illustrated by William Cleaver) (Random House, 1983)
- The Muppet Guide to Magnificent Manners (illustrated by Peter Elwell) (Random House, 1984)
- A Love Note for Baby Piggy (illustrated by Kathy Spahr) (Weekly Reader, 1986)
Anthologies
- It's Heaven to be Seven (2000) (with Roald DahlRoald DahlRoald Dahl was a British novelist, short story writer, fighter pilot and screenwriter.Born in Wales to Norwegian parents, he served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War, in which he became a flying ace and intelligence agent, rising to the rank of Wing Commander...
, Beverly ClearyBeverly ClearyBeverly Cleary is an American author. Educated at colleges in California and Washington, she worked as a librarian before writing children's books. Cleary has written more than 30 books for young adults and children. Some of her best-known characters are Henry Huggins, Ribsy, Beatrice Quimby, her...
, and Patricia MacLachlanPatricia MacLachlanPatricia MacLachlan is a bestselling U.S. children's author, best known for winning the 1986 Newbery Medal for her book Sarah, Plain and Tall. The book was later turned into a TV movie starring Glenn Close and Christopher Walken.MacLachlan was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming. She lived in Wyoming and...
) - The Color of Absence: 12 Stories About Loss and Hope (2001) (as editor)
- 13: Thirteen Stories That Capture the Agony and Ecstasy of Being Thirteen (2003) (as editor)