Leedy, Loreen

Loreen Leedy has been reading, writing, and drawing since she was a small child. She graduated from college with an art degree, then began the search for fulfilling work. For three years she made hand-sculpted jewelry that featured pigs, dragons, bears, and a variety of other whimsical creatures. Formerly pins and earrings, these characters now dance enthusiastically across the pages of her colorful picture books.

Loreen writes and illustrates picture books full time in a studio in Winter Park, Florida. She enjoys speaking to children and adults about the process of creating books. She also loves to explore the shelves at the library, and likes traveling, exercising, and computers.

Leedy’s picture books are generally regarded as simple yet entertaining and instructive introductions to a variety of subjects. The Furry News: How to Make a Newspaper centers on Big Bear’s decision to publish a newspaper of his own that would cover neighborhood events not found in the city paper. As in many of her informational picture books, Leedy appends a glossary of key terms to this work, which a Publisher’s enerally regarded as simple yet entertaining and instructive introductions to a variety of subjects. The Furry News: How to Make a Newspaper centers on Big Bear’s decision to publish a newspaper of his own that would cover neighborhood events not found in the city paper. As in many of her informational picture books, Leedy appends a glossary of key terms to this work, which a Publisher’s Weekly contributor describes as a “clever, irresistible introduction to the many particulars of newspaper writing and production.”

Messages in the Mailbox: How to Write a Letter introduces young readers to many forms of correspondence, both formal (invitations, thank you notes, letters to the editor) and informal (love letters). A Kirkus Reviews critic notes that Leedy’s “expressive characters and sample messages enliven tips on appropriate topics to write about” and other helpful information. Some of Leedy’s other picture books have addressed ecological concerns, geography, biology, and mathematics. ecological concerns, geography, biology, and mathematics.

Leedy has received the Parent’s Choice Award for Illustration in 1987, the Ezra Jack Keats Award for Excellence in the Arts, 1989, and the Outstanding Science Trade Book Citation, National Science Teachers Association and Children’s Book Council, 1994, for Tracks in the Sand.

          – Holiday House Author Profile.

 

 

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