Julie Markes
Encyclopedia
Julie Markes is an American children's book writer. She has also worked as a photographer for the Los Angeles Times
and the Associated Press
.
in 2001. It features artwork by Maggie Smith and is intended for children ages three to six. In the book, a boy is encouraged to perform his daily tasks by being told to imagine how difficult those tasks would be if he were an animal. When he does not want to get dressed, for example, his caretaker tells him to be thankful he is not an octopus
, which would need to put eight legs into its pants, instead of just two.
The book was favorably reviewed by Publishers Weekly
, which called it "a bit of inventive psychology for dealing with an uncooperative child". School Library Journal
described it as "[a] delightful romp", adding, "The ridiculousness of the animals in the boy's situation will not be lost on [pre-schoolers] and will prompt laughter all around."
book with illustrations by Susan Kathleen Hartung. In the book, animal parents ask their young offspring if they have "made a poop"; readers are then invited to lift flaps to see illustrations of each animal's leavings. Peter Mandel of The Providence Journal
described the book as "[e]ven more bizarre than Walter [the Farting Dog
]," but Kim Boatman of the San Jose Mercury News
called it "a necessity. . . for parents prone to despair over potty training". Courteney Cox Arquette named it one of her children's favorite books in a People
magazine feature.
(ISBN 0060537906) is a bedtime story
that discusses fictional bedtimes for people of different professions (farmer, baker, etc.) It was published by HarperCollins in 2004. The book was selected by School Library Journal as a Best Book of 2005. It was also named one of Scholastic's "Best Before-Bed Read-Alouds".
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
and the Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
.
Good Thing You're Not an Octopus!
Markes' first book, Good Thing You're Not an Octopus! (ISBN 006028465X), was published by HarperCollinsHarperCollins
HarperCollins is a publishing company owned by News Corporation. It is the combination of the publishers William Collins, Sons and Co Ltd, a British company, and Harper & Row, an American company, itself the result of an earlier merger of Harper & Brothers and Row, Peterson & Company. The worldwide...
in 2001. It features artwork by Maggie Smith and is intended for children ages three to six. In the book, a boy is encouraged to perform his daily tasks by being told to imagine how difficult those tasks would be if he were an animal. When he does not want to get dressed, for example, his caretaker tells him to be thankful he is not an octopus
Octopus
The octopus is a cephalopod mollusc of the order Octopoda. Octopuses have two eyes and four pairs of arms, and like other cephalopods they are bilaterally symmetric. An octopus has a hard beak, with its mouth at the center point of the arms...
, which would need to put eight legs into its pants, instead of just two.
The book was favorably reviewed by Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly, aka PW, is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers and literary agents...
, which called it "a bit of inventive psychology for dealing with an uncooperative child". School Library Journal
School Library Journal
The School Library Journal is a monthly magazine with articles and reviews for school librarians, media specialists, and public librarians who work with young people. Articles cover a wide variety of topics, with a focus on technology and multimedia. Reviews are included for preschool to 4th grade,...
described it as "[a] delightful romp", adding, "The ridiculousness of the animals in the boy's situation will not be lost on [pre-schoolers] and will prompt laughter all around."
I Can't Talk Yet, But When I Do...
Markes' I Can't Talk Yet, But When I Do... (ISBN 0060099216) was published by HarperFestival in 2003. It is illustrated by Laura Rader. The book is about an anthropomorphic mouse and her baby brother, who wishes to thank his sister for being patient with him. The rhyming text of the story reveals what he would say to her if he had the ability to speak. Publishers Weekly wrote, "[Markes and Rader] subtly underscore the competence, achievements and vital role of the older child. . . . Smart and sympathetic, this tale offers a strong note of encouragement to new older siblings."Where's the Poop?
In 2004, HarperCollins published Markes' Where's the Poop? (ISBN 0060530898), a toilet trainingToilet training
Toilet training, or potty training, is the process of training a young child to use the toilet for urination and defecation, though training may start with a smaller toilet bowl-shaped device...
book with illustrations by Susan Kathleen Hartung. In the book, animal parents ask their young offspring if they have "made a poop"; readers are then invited to lift flaps to see illustrations of each animal's leavings. Peter Mandel of The Providence Journal
The Providence Journal
The Providence Journal, nicknamed the ProJo, is a daily newspaper serving the metropolitan area of Providence, Rhode Island and is the largest newspaper in Rhode Island. The newspaper, first published in 1829 and the oldest continuously-published daily newspaper in the United States, was purchased...
described the book as "[e]ven more bizarre than Walter [the Farting Dog
Walter the Farting Dog
Walter the Farting Dog is a series of children's books by William Kotzwinkle and Glenn Murray, and illustrated by Audrey Colman. All the books in the series star Walter and his many flatulent adventures. In 2007 the fifth book in the series, Walter the Farting Dog: Banned From the Beach, was released...
]," but Kim Boatman of the San Jose Mercury News
San Jose Mercury News
The San Jose Mercury News is a daily newspaper in San Jose, California. On its web site, however, it calls itself Silicon Valley Mercury News. The paper is owned by MediaNews Group...
called it "a necessity. . . for parents prone to despair over potty training". Courteney Cox Arquette named it one of her children's favorite books in a People
People (magazine)
In 1998, the magazine introduced a version targeted at teens called Teen People. However, on July 27, 2006, the company announced it would shut down publication of Teen People immediately. The last issue to be released was scheduled for September 2006. Subscribers to this magazine received...
magazine feature.
Shhhhh! Everybody's Sleeping
Shhhhh! Everybody's SleepingShhhhh! Everybody's Sleeping
Shhhhh! Everybody's Sleeping is a 2004 children's book written by Julie Markes and illustrated by David Parkins. It was published by HarperCollins .The book was selected by School Library Journal as a Best Book of 2005...
(ISBN 0060537906) is a bedtime story
Bedtime story
A bedtime story is a traditional form of storytelling, where a story is told to a child at bedtime to prepare them for sleep.Bedtime stories have many advantages, for parents/adults and children alike. The fixed routine of a bedtime story before sleeping has a relaxing effect, and the soothing...
that discusses fictional bedtimes for people of different professions (farmer, baker, etc.) It was published by HarperCollins in 2004. The book was selected by School Library Journal as a Best Book of 2005. It was also named one of Scholastic's "Best Before-Bed Read-Alouds".
Other books
- Sidewalk 123 (ISBN 0694015008), 2001, HarperCollins
- Sidewalk ABC (ISBN 0694014559), 2001, HarperCollins
- Thanks for Thanksgiving (ISBN 006051096X), 2004, HarperCollins
External links
- Julie Markes at harpercollinschildrens.com