Jane Yolen, 'The Hans Christian Andersen of America,' Publishes 300th Book this Fall

CHAPPAQUA, N.Y., Aug. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Award-winning, bestselling author Jane Yolen, whom Newsweek dubbed "the Hans Christian Andersen of America," is publishing her 300th book this fall.  Yolen's books and stories have been honored with a Caldecott Medal, a Caldecott Honor, two Nebula awards, the Jewish Book Award, and two Christopher Medals, three body-of-work awards, and six honorary doctorates.  Yet when she began her writing career as a journalist and poet, she could never have guessed that someday she'd be the author of 300 books for children, teens, and adults. 

"When I think of the actual number, it seems overwhelming," says the versatile author.  "But I just love writing.  I never set out to write this many books.  It just happened.  And you should see the manuscripts I have not yet sold!  I have enough ideas to last me for the rest of my life."

Yolen marks the milestone with Elsie's Bird (Philomel), illustrated by Caldecott Medalist David Small.  In this lyrical picture book, a motherless Boston girl moves to the Nebraska prairie, journeying from grief and loneliness to acceptance. Elizabeth Bird, writing for SchoolLibraryJournal.com, calls Elsie's Bird "a love song to the country."

Yolen's words also sing out in other books this fall.  Lost Boy: The Story of the Man Who Created Peter Pan (Dutton), a picture book biography of J.M. Barrie, weaves in quotes from Barrie to show how he drew upon real life to create fictional characters and events.  "A beautiful tribute," writes School Library Journal in a starred review.  

Hush, Little Horsie (Random House), tucks young ones into bed with a lullaby of simple rhymes and soothing rhythms, while Switching on the Moon: A Very First Book of Bedtime Poems (Candlewick), an anthology co-edited with Andrew Fusek Peters, sends children to dreamland with a collection of classic and contemporary poems.  The Barefoot Book of Dance Stories, written with Heidi E.Y. Stemple (Barefoot Books), features eight folktales from around the world and a story CD narrated by Juliet Stevenson.  How Do Dinosaurs Laugh Out Loud? (Cartwheel Books/Scholastic), is a lift-the flap book that will leave toddlers dancing with laughter.  

The New York Times called Jane Yolen a "modern day equivalent of Aesop."  Visit her online at www.janeyolen.com.

SOURCE Jane Yolen