Ann Garrett

As a young child Ann met the author Wilson Rawls the author of her favorite book, WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS. Smitten, Ann decided she too wanted to write for children. That desire grew when as a young adult standing in line to meet Dr. Seuss she blurted out, “Oh my God, you’re the CAT IN THE HAT!” Dr. Seuss had her come out of the line, signed a book and had a great conversation with her encouraging her to write.

Ann Garrett was born in Salt Lake City, Utah and grew up playing in the gully behind her family’s house, hiking in the Rockies, riding horses, raising animals and skiing. At the age of fourteen she began to work with children who were emotionally disturbed and found she had a natural talent and love for children.

Ann Garrett attended the University of Utah where she received degrees in sociology and social work. Ann has lived in Switzerland and traveled throughout Europe.

For over thirty-eight years Ann has resided in the Los Angeles area, working in a residential treatment center and therapeutic school for severely emotionally disturbed children who were physically and sexually abused. She has also been a children’s librarian, directed a literacy program, in addition to being a Special Ed. substitute teacher. These programs gave her an intense “hands on” venue to work with the “frazzled” child.

Ann’s picture books are written both individually and in collaboration with the late Gene-Michael Higney. She is the author of Keeper of the Swamp (which was also published in Spanish as Guardian Del Pantano). She collaborated on Fins and Flippers, Scales and Nippers, Miss Hiss is Missing, Peanut Butter BBQ, Practical Yoke, Stardusters, What’s for Lunch?, What’s for Dinner?,and Tales of Tails. 

For adults Ann has co-authored TLC for FrazzledKids, Helping Grownups Help Kids and Help For Frazzled Moms. 

Happily married, she lives and writes in Southern California.

Website – AnnGarrettauthor.com

Reviews

Keeper of the Swamp

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4-A poignant coming-of-age story as well as an excellent depiction of an intergenerational relationship tinged with sadness for the loss to come. A young boy and his dying grandfather make a special trip into the swamp to visit the old man’s alligator friend, “Ole Boots,” whom he had saved from poachers years before. The child learns to feed the reptile raw chicken from the boat using a long pole and, despite his uncertainties and fears, accomplishes the difficult task. Together, grandfather and grandson watch Ole Boots return to her nest and then turn toward home, content that the torch has been passed, and that the new “keeper of the swamp” will try his best to protect the wildlife, as his grandfather did before him. The illustrations are a mix of oils and computer-generated art that lend the double-page spreads a brilliant sheen. This is a story that has many strengths. An epilogue offers interesting facts on both alligators and swamps.
Judith Constantinides, East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA 
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Two Little Angels are in *Big* Trouble!

“Stardusters is a hilarious, offbeat story with a great message.” — The Reader’s Edge

“These unconventional angels are just like little boys, full of mischief, funny and good at heart.” — Ben Franklin Award winner Elissa Al-Chokhachy, author of The Angel with the Golden Glow

“enchanting” — San Marino Tribune

“excellent, a lot of fun for young readers ” — Bookviews

“exquisitely illustrated” — Mid Valley News

…amazing mixed-media illustrations are remarkably original. A treat to the eye, this whimsical, marvelous children’s book [is] highly recommended! – WordWeaving

TLC for Frazzled Kids

A powerhouse for parent

Don’t let the modest size of TLC for Frazzled Kids: Helping Grown Ups Help Kids by Nancy Goodell and Ann Garrett fool you. Its 104 pages are packed with so much wisdom that, while reading it, I kept asking myself “Where was this book when I needed it?”

This mighty little book could also be titled TLC for Frazzled Parents of Frazzled Kids. Every page within every short chapter throws a lifeline to parents and caretakers at their wit’s end as to how best help their children during difficult times.

Goodell and Garrett have spent their lives working with children who exhibit out-of-control behaviors. During her 40 years as a teacher serving at-risk children during which Goodell developed a model that helps grownups help kids. Garrett, the author of six published children’s books, spent years working with severely disturbed children and began using Goodell’s model while working with her at a therapeutic school.

“We cannot protect our children from the challenges they face, but we can support them to learn strategies that will enable them to be safe and successful, even when they are stressed,” writes Goodell.

Over the years, her definition of frazzled kids has broadened to include all children who at one time or another lose control. Delightfully illustrated by renowned cartoonist Gaspar Vaccaro, TLC for Frazzled Kids provides adults with a step-by-step process to use with “frazzled” children. The techniques are simple. For example: set clear limits to ensure safety and success; issue comprehensible guidance and offer affirming feedback; apply logical and natural consequences to reinforce personal responsibility; encourage honesty in a non-punitive environment; maintain a calm, balanced, non-threatening demeanor; establish routines; have realistic expectations; encourage children to recognize their bodily responses to stress and to develop calming strategies.

Not all of us are prepared to be the parent our children need us to be. This book can help rectify that situation. Parents and children can build the bridge together.

This Book Packs a lot of Useful Information into a Small Package!

In today’s hectic world, neither parents nor teachers have much time to read technical books about dealing with children and teen’s acting-out behavior. TLC for Frazzled Kids gives practical strategies that really work. The author’s challenging journey in the 1970s, teaching in an inner-city school, in which she intuitively worked out ways to deal successfully with out-of-bounds middle schoolers, have been verified only recently by brain research on attachment theory that was unavailable then. The author bravely details how inept she felt as a young teacher who could not control her class. Anyone who has children or who works with children will recognize the difficult feelings of alternating helplessness or anger. This book tells just how to calm the child and yourself, and to form a relationship that is helpful to both the child and the caretaker be it a teacher, coach, or parent. I am a parent, former teacher, special ed counselor and current psychotherapist who works with children and families. I highly recommend this readable book.