Stephanie Calmenson is the author of over a hundred books for children. Her books have been called "marvelous" (Publishers Weekly), "lyrical" (School Library Journal), "sweet, funny, and right on the mark" (Booklist). Among her most popular titles are Dinner at the Panda Palace, a PBS StoryTime Book, The Principal's New Clothes, The Teeny Tiny Teacher, and Rosie, A Visiting Dog's Story, which Smithsonian Magazine called "one of the outstanding nonfiction titles of the year." She has also collaborated with Joanna Cole, author of the Magic School Bus series, on many best-selling anthologies including Ready, Set, Read! and Ready, Set, Read and Laugh! Before turning to writing, Stephanie was an elementary school teacher, and a children's book editor. She lives in New York City and considers herself very lucky to have found work that brings together her love of children, language, and laughter.
Growing up, Stephanie Calmenson had no idea that she would someday become a writer. She began her professional life as an early childhood teacher where she says she had the pleasure of reading to children and discovering which books captivate them. When budget cuts left her looking for work, she became a children's book editor and had the pleasure of seeing how a book is made. Planning to go back to teaching, she enrolled in a Master's Program in education at New York University where she took a course called "Writing for Children." Her very first story was published in a children's magazine. She was off and writing!
Though she now spends her days at home in front of a computer instead of in a classroom, Stephanie still considers herself a teacher, speaking to children through her books. Before beginning a book, she always asks herself the same question: What will this book give to a child? Will it be a love of language? A feeling of being valued? A trip to a new place? An introduction to numbers or letters? A belly laugh to ease a growing-up day? When she is satisfied with the answer, she begins to write.
Her next task is to be sure her book will bring joy in the reading. Humor is her best ally. In Dinner at the Panda Palace, a variety of animals come cavorting into a restaurant looking for a table and a meal. Through this humorous story children are given the chance to learn about numbers, animals, food, and most important, hospitality. The Principal's New Clothes, the forerunner of contemporary 's New Clothes to P.S. 88 where the principal, Mr. Bundy, is duped by two tricksters claiming to be tailors! A kindergartner who knows the importance of telling the truth saves the day.
In the Frog Principal, Ms. Calmenson's update of the "Frog Prince," P.S. 88's Mr. Bundy hilariously gets turned into - ribbit! - a frog, and the kids learn the importance of keeping promises. The Teeny Tiny Teacher, a story hour favorite, is based on the folk story, "The Teeny Tiny Woman" and it's more than a teeny tiny bit of fun when the teeny tiny teacher scares away a teeny tiny ghost with her loudest teeny tiny voice! Even Rosie, A Visiting Dog's Story, the touching nonfiction account of the author's own working dog who cheers up people who are sad, sick, or lonely, has a good share of humor thanks to the book's irresistibly shaggy star.
Booklists/Awards
The Frog Principal, 2001
The Teeny Tiny Teacher, 1998
Give a Dog a Bone: Stories, Poems, Jokes, and Riddles about Dogs, 1999
My Dog's the Best! (Hello Reader! Level 1), 1997
My Summer Camp Diary, 1995
Roller Skates! (Hello Reader! Level 2), 1992
The Principal's New Clothes, 1989
Biography provided by Scholastic, Inc.
