Barbara Bottner

Barbara is an American author and artist who has published over fifty children’s titles in all areas of children’s literature, including YA, Middle Grade, chapter and I Can Read and picture books. She illustrated her early stories. Many of her works have been animated and performed as children’s theater. Miss Brooks Loves Books, was a New York Times best-seller. She’s received numerous awards, appeared on many “Best Of” lists from Amazon, Bank Street, SLJ, and Children’s Choice Awards as well as awards for her animated films for Sesame Street. “Best Film for TV, from Annecy France animation festival. Scaredy Cats was a One Book, One Community pick for Dade County, Florida in 2003.

She’s an award-winning teacher of writing for children,. The New School for Social Research gave her the Distinguished University Teaching Award. She’s also written primetime TV comedy, features, short stories for national and literary magazines, essays, animated shorts, lyrics, book reviews and scholarly articles. Her papers are collected in the Arne Nixon Center for the Book in Sacramento.

Barbara’s books include I Am Still Here, Where’s My Turtle, Wallaces Lists, The Crankypants Tea Party, Pricilla Gorilla, Bootsie Barker Bites, Miss Brooks Loves Books, What a Cold Needs, Charlene Loves to Make Noise, Feet Go To Sleep, Amy Is Famous

Website: https://barbarahbottner.com/

Reviews

I Am Here Now

“Bottner (What a Cold Needs) draws on all five senses to evoke Maisie’s chaotic world, using expressive verse…The book’s subject matter and themes remain timeless.” –Publishers Weekly

“Packing numerous themes of evolving teen self-identity amid the cityscape of a broken home, this turbulent, plot-driven tale shows how a miserable home life transcends ethnic, historical, and socio-economic bounds.Timeless lessons in how to find one’s self-worth in the face of parental abuse” –Kirkus

“Maisie is a strong narrator who rings true, especially facing the totality of her challenges. Perfect for readers who are struggling to figure out their place in the world.” –Booklist

“Not since The Catcher in the Rye has there been such a riveting depiction of adolescent angst. But unlike Holden Caulfield, Maisie Meyers embraces her disappointment in the adult world, turning her loss of innocence into a launching pad for the examined life. I Am Here Now is important and utterly riveting.” — Patricia Volk, author of Shocked and Stuffed

“This moving novel in spare, yet eloquent verse, transports today’s teen reader to the 1960s Bronx. Readers will root for Maisie as she makes her compelling journey to maturity!” — Alex Flinn, New York Times bestselling author of Beastly and Love, Jacaranda

“A deeply felt, beautifully written novel in verse about a fractured family and a gifted young woman’s coming of age. Altogether captivating and compelling.” —Michael Cart, Author, “Carte Blanche” Column in Booklist