Karen Ehrhardt
Author
I’ve always loved books, and couldn’t be happier
to have found my voice as a professional author. When I was growing up in South Central LA in the 60s and 70s
I never imagined I could be a writer!
Here you will find samples of my work, biographical info, booking information for visits and workshops, plus
random musings on kids' books, and life (!)
about karen's books
THIS JAZZ MAN
Karen’s debut children's picture book, THIS JAZZ MAN, landed on the N.Y. Public Library's list “100 Titles for Reading and Sharing;” is one of the "Multicultural Books Every Child Should Know" (NEA); was praised by The New York Times Book Review as, “a whole lot of fun;” and Publishers Weekly called it “just right as an uptempo introduction for the youngest music lovers.”
IN THE WORKS
Karen's agent is seeking homes for her other picture book manuscripts including a biography of an renowned African musician, and silly fantasies starring dogs, chameleons, raccoons, and piranhas.
This Jazz Man
In this toe-tapping jazz tribute, the traditional "This Old Man" gets a swinging makeover,
and some of the era's best musicians take center stage. The tuneful text and vibrant illustrations
bop, slide, and shimmy across the page...
✎ Harcourt
Gentle and upbeat... it’s a whole lot of fun!
✎ The New York Times Book Review
Just right as an uptempo introduction for the youngest music lovers.
✎ Publishers Weekly
Infectious, rhythmic.... [The] text scans with a smooth, toe-tapping tempo.... Children will want to shout along with the scat-cat rhythms ("Beedle-di-Bop! Bebop!")
✎ Booklist
Onomatopoeic words spill across the pages in imitation of the music's sounds....
fun for jazz aficionados and neophytes alike.
✎ School Library Journal
THIS JAZZ MAN on CD is a 2011 Audie Award winner for Best Audiobook for Kids up to Age 8
✎ Audio Publishers Association
Available from your favorite independent book seller.
Also available on Amazon.
About Me
Children's book author, mom, Brown alum, dog lover, Revisionaries co-founder, San Francisco Giants fan, Whirligig, Vermont Colleger, Beverly alum, art & music lover, world traveler, 'mutt' (like Obama!), native Californian, dessert enthusiast...
EVENTS
How to Arrange a Visit
I love giving author talks at schools and libraries. I also teach writing workshops for kids. If you are interested in arranging an event, please contact my booking agency, ConnectingAuthors, by phone (415.312.1212) or by clicking on the "VISIT" button at the bottom of this section!
RECENT EVENT: Family Reading Celebration
December 9, 2016
I had the pleasure of participating in the first annual Family Reading Celebration at the Fresh Anointing Community Church hosted by Pastor Martin Lawson and his beautiful family. It was pouring rain and windy but we were happy to see the families who were able to attend! I look forward to returning next year!
MAIN GIG: Reading to an Eight-year-old
Nightly!
I have a eight-year-old. We enjoy reading picture books and chapter books together. We even listen to books using Audible!
We get our steady supply of reading material from the San Mateo County Bookmobile, The Menlo Park Main Library, and the Palo Alto Library -- that's where I worked when I was inspired to write THIS JAZZ MAN!
BY INVITATION ONLY: The Revisionaries
1st and 3rd Tuesday nights
I am a founding member of The Revisionaries, a vibrant critique group of S.F. Bay Area children’s book authors and illustrators. When The Revisionaries first gathered, none of us was published. Now we ALL are!
Just WHO are these mysterious people? And what are The Revisionaries up to now?
Stay tuned to MY BLOG (?!) to meet the members of my critique group and learn about their amazing books!
Contact me!
