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“Jarrett is an artist, a storyteller, a tireless promoter of all things kid books, and
truly one of the good guys in our business. He knows his audience, and they
smartly love him for it.” –Jon Scieszka, award-winning and New York Times bestselling
author, and National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature
JARRETT J. KROSOCZKA
Children’s Book Creator Inspires Readers of All Ages with His
Humor, Heart and Passion for Storytelling
(Fall 2012) —Perseverance,
optimism and above all a talent
for visual storytelling, are traits
that have benefitted Jarrett J.
Krosoczka in his pursuit to
become
the
award-winning
author-illustrator he is today.
From picture books that capture
the
raucous
behavior
of
exploring your creative side and
letting your imagination run wild,
to a graphic novel series that
follows the exploits of a superhero Lunch Lady, all twenty
books Jarrett has created in just
eleven years as a published
author, are infused with humor,
heart, and a respect for his readers. It’s these qualities too that attracts his young readers (and
listeners) to his books, from Punk Farm to Lunch Lady and the Picture Day Peril, and make them
all perennial favorites on the bookshelves of homes, libraries, and bookstores.
“Jarrett makes kids laugh AND gets them to read—he is a real superhero,” said Jennifer and
Matthew Holm, New York Times bestselling creators of the Babymouse and Squish series, when
asked what makes Jarrett’s books so enjoyable, and why they admire him as a colleague.
But the worlds Jarrett depicts in his books of joyful families dancing (Ollie The Purple Elephant),
and siblings who tease but still look out for each other (Baghead), for example, is not the one in
which he grew up. His inspirations come from a childhood he wished he’d had, and the one he
and wife are now creating for their two daughters. The son of an addict living in Worcester,
Massachusetts, most of the communication Jarrett had with his single mom was through letters—
some including drawings from mother and son—that the two sent to each other while she was in
jail. A fan of Saturday morning cartoons and graphic novels, Jarrett starting drawing from a very
young age; by the time he was in elementary school he was creating his own books—a couple of
which he still has and shows to students when he visits elementary schools. Jarrett says he owes
much if his successes to his grandparents, Joseph and Shirley Krosoczka, who took him in at age
three and gave him an opportunity to see a different life for himself.
When he was in sixth grade, his grandparents enrolled him in art classes at the Worcester Art
Museum, and it was through his experiences there and later a high school class on picture book
art and story telling, that set him on a determined course to literally and figuratively create a new
path for himself. Those classes along with the good fortune of Jack Gantos, then author of the
Rotten Ralph books, visiting his third grade class—and unbeknownst to him, bestowing
encouraging words upon the young fan that he cherishes to this day—gave Jarrett a boost of
confidence that someday he too could have a career as an illustrator and writer.
But the path to get to where he is now was not an easy one—but it was a determined one. The
first time Jarrett applied to The Rhode Island School of Design he was not accepted; but he
applied again the following year and was. During his time at RISD, he started sending the books
he’d created to publishers; cycles of mailings would go unanswered or he’d receive rejection
letters, but that didn’t deter him. After graduation he began sending monthly postcards—50 to 80
at a time—a different piece of art on display with each one, until he finally received an
encouraging word from one book editor. Six months later that editor acquired Good Night,
Monkey Boy and Jarrett had a signed contract for his first book, and he hasn’t slowed down
since, publishing at least a book a year ever since.
Throughout all his successes, Jarrett has never forgotten where he came from and who helped
him get to where he is. In honor of his tenth year as a published author-illustrator, Jarrett
established the Joseph and Shirley Krosozcka Memorial Youth Scholarship at the Worcester Art
Museum to help fund classes for kids. He raises money for the program with proceeds from his
Monkey Boy to Lunch Lady sketchbook, a publication that highlights the creative process behind
his books. Earlier this year, as the host for the second year running of the Children’s Choice Book
Awards, Jarrett introduced now Newbery-Award-winning author Jack Gantos and was able to
publicly thank him for complimenting his Rotten Ralph drawing when he visited his classroom.
Jarrett is also able to honor other authors and illustrators whose work he’s long admired, as well
as his contemporaries and friends, on his recently launched radio segment, The Book Report with
JJK on SiriusXM’s Kid’s Place Live. From Norton Jester and Jon Sciezka to Jeff Kinney and Mo
Willems, Jarrett showcases the stories of these creators and connects them direct with kids so
that everyone can share in their books and love of reading. Jarrett also regularly visits schools
across the country, inspiring young artists and readers with his personal story and his books—
perhaps connecting with an aspiring creator and becoming that child’s Jack Gantos?
“Jarrett is enthusiastic, witty, gracious and inspiring. I took to Jarrett immediately,” said Loren
Long, New York Times bestselling author-illustrator when asked to comment on his colleague.
“Who wouldn’t? Jarrett is the kind of person who is genuinely happy talking about others more
than himself. A rare trait for someone with his talent and accomplishments.”
Jarrett is the two-time winner of the Third to Fourth Grade Book of the Year in the Children’s
Choice Book Awards, has emceed the ceremony twice, and has seen his work recommended by
national publications like Newsweek, The New York Times and USA Today. He is also the host of
The Book Report with JJK on SiriusXM’s Kids’ Place Live, a twice-a-month segment celebrating
authors, books and reading. His Punk Farm and Lunch Lady series are both in development to be
feature films. In 2013 his Lunch Lady series will end and he will launch Platypus Police Squad, a
new chapter book series. Jarrett is happily living out his childhood dream in Northampton,
Massachusetts, where he resides with his wife and two daughters and their pug, Ralph Macchio.
www.studiojjk.com
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For more information contact: Deb Shapiro
E: deb@debshapiroandcompany.com; P: 212-496-5808