Spotlight on the Author - Oliver Jeffers

I love when I find an author that really gets childhood. One that captures the sense of wonder and adventure. One that understands the boundless imagination of a child. Oliver Jeffers is one of those authors. He has written and illustrated three of my favorite picture books. They fall into what I call my simple reads category. I'm hooked on both the simple stylized watercolor illustrations to the quirky adventures that the little boy main character finds himself on.



How to Catch a Star , takes the readers on the plight of a young one's determination and curiousity to catch a star in the sky. I hear Perry Como's "Catch a Falling Star' song everytime I read this book. I love how at one point in the story the little boy simply heads to his well stocked closet to get his rocketship! It truely captures the spirit of reach for your dreams and try, try again.

Lost and Found, starts with an unlikely guest arriving at the door of the little boy, a lost penguin. The little boy is determined to help so, they set off to find the lost penguin's home in what else a row boat! It's a story of helping others and friendship.

The Way Back Home, finds our beloved little boy on another adventure but trouble comes along. Now he and a new space alien friend need to help each other get home in another tale of friendship and team work.

Other great reads from Oliver Jeffers include: The Great Paper Caper, The Incredible Book Eating Boy (would be fun to pair with the classic children's book Petunia) and The Heart and the Bottle.