Books

Welcome! Here are some of my books and a little about them…



 Illustrated by Barry RootGiant Peach Yodel cover

***Starred Review in Booklist!***

Peck gives a Russian folktale an American tall-tale twist in this humorous picture book. Tall Papa Tom and his family set off in their jalopy to attend the Peach Pickin’ Festival. Along the way, Little Buddy Earl yodels continuously. When they reach the peach orchard owned by Cranky Uncle Frankie and his family, they are all sorely disappointed to see that the peaches are scrawny. At this point, the family learns what the observant reader already knows: Little Buddy Earl’s yodeling can make fruit grow. He yodels—“One little peach, / How do you do? / I love cobbler / And yodel-ay-dee-hoo!”—and the peach becomes massive. Eventually, the whole family gets the peach off the tree and heads off triumphantly to the festival. The text is full of alliterations and keeps a consistent rhythm throughout, making it ideal for reading aloud. The fact that a child saves the day has obvious appeal as well. The warm illustrations, full of orange and yellow and light, combine with the text to create a feeling of homespun charm. Grades K-3. –Kara Dean


(co-authored with David Davis) Illustrator: Carin Berger

“The book is hysterical!  I can imagine authors Jan Peck and David Davis sitting around and adapting Mother Goose into these funny, timely, and skillfully mastered rhymes…with environmentalism in mind.”
Early Childhood Blog: www.tbe.org.

 

 


“This addition to Peck’s collection is natural for a rowdy prairie-themed storytime.” -Sharon M. Lawler, librarian, Universal City, Texas Children mosey

down a Western trail in this adorable rhyming story. As Jan Peck introduces a variety of Western critters to her young readers in this fun

and lighthearted adventure, racing roadrunners, stinky skunks, and digging armadillos come out to play. Herb Leonhard’s fantastical illustrations bring to life the rugged landscape of the West as it is explored through a cowgirl’s imagination.”

“Continuing her singsong journeys, Peck takes readers on a jaunty pony ride ‘way out West.’ Cowpokes ride the trail and get up close with a variety of regional animals before safely returning home. The rich mixture of imagination, real animals, and exuberant rhyming make this a solid choice for storytime or anytime.” -Jeanette Larson, children’s literature consultant.”

Jan Peck brings the West to life for children with rhythmic and enchanting lyrics about horny toads, prairie dogs, armadillos, jackrabbits, roadrunners, longhorns, and buffalo.” -Glenn Dromgoole, author of Good Night Cowboy and Good Night Cowgirl.

“The prose is charming and sparkling with animation. It will ignite children’s imaginations.” -Debbie Raindl, children’s services, John Ed Keeter Public Library, Saginaw, Texas.




“Find treasure more valuable than anything, even gold! ”

Hidden deep in a cave, high on a cliff, past the lagoon is a secret pirate treasure, and Captain Dare invites readers to help him find it.

This interactive journey brings out the seafaring scoundrel in everyone.

Children repeat the orders of Captain Dare as he leads them on a treasure hunt unlike any other.

For exciting programs using Pirate Treasure Hunt! See my presentations page.


Books for the youngest scientists!

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers sells these books in the USA, Australia, England, and Japan.

Way Up High in a Tall Green Tree was on PBS Teacher Resource Recommended Science Book List.

Also featured in Time Magazine for Kids, April 2006 Issue.

Way Up High in a Tall Green Tree nominated for the 2005-2006 Golden Spur Award for Texas Authors – Children’s Literature division of Texas State Reading Association.

A finalist for The Institute of Texas Letters and Friends of the Austin Public Library Award for Best Children’s Book of 2005.

Way Far Away on a Wild Safari cover

Published in Korea.
Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea sold in paperback and audio in May 2006 from Scholastic Book Clubs.

Included on Nick Jr.com: Blue’s Book Club List

 

 

The Kentucky Bluegrass Award 1999 Master List

Named to the 2000-2001 Arkansas Diamond Award Master List

Named to the 1999-2000 Pennsylvania Young Readers’ Choice Award Master List

Named to the 1999-2000 Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award Master List

“Best Children’s Books of the Year” for 1998–Bank Street College

Starred Review in School Library Journal
“A delightful variation of the folktale ‘The Turnip.’ This tale begs to be read aloud . . . a fine, humorous sense of story . . . a succulent story to savor.”
— School Library Journal Book Review Star
Dial Book for Young Readers, 1998, 32 pages, full-color illustration, ISBN 0-8037-1823-3, $15.99. Penguin Putnam Inc. Ages 4-9

 

Here’s a list of my books and a little about them:

Jan Peck

___Giant Peach Yodel, Illustrated by Barry Root: A great big tale about peach pickin’ fun. Join Tall Papa Tom, Pretty Mama May, Little Buddy Earl, and the rest of the bunch as they head to the Peach Pickin’ Festival. Little Buddy Earl yodels each time they pass a field, but what’s the use of that? His yodel soon comes in handy when he turns a tiny peach into the largest in the land! Complete with a recipe for peach cobbler, this tale about teamwork proves that sometimes the smallest person can be the biggest help. Pelican Publishing Company ISBN-978-1-58980-980-2: Retail price: $16.99.

___The Green Mother Goose: Saving the World One Rhyme at a Time (Co-written with David Davis) Mother Goose has gone green, and this playful picture book invites kids to join the fun. In these delightful “recycled” rhymes, Old Mother Hubbard shops with cloth grocery bags; Old King Coal is a better old soul, working to keep our skies smoke-free; and Hickety, Pickety is now a cage-free hen! Sterling Publishing Company ISBN 978-1-4027-6525-4. Retail price: $14.95.

___ Way Out West on My Little Pony: “This addition to Peck’s collection is natural for a rowdy prairie-themed storytime.” -Sharon M. Lawler, librarian, Universal City, Texas. Children mosey down a Western trail in this adorable rhyming story, as Jan Peck introduces a variety of Western critters to her young readers in this fun and lighthearted adventure, racing roadrunners, stinky skunks, and digging armadillos come out to play. Pelican Publishing Company ISBN-10: 1589806972: Retail Price: $16.99.

___Pirate Treasure Hunt! Captain Dare invites children on a treasure hunt they won’t ever forget in this interactive picture book.  This crew of pirates is searching for treasure more valuable than gold! Pelican Publishing Company  ISBN: 1-58980-549-6. Retail price: $15.95.

___The Giant Carrot Illustrated by Barry Root: “Best Children’s Book of the Year” for 1998! –Bank Street College! Starred Review in School Library Journal! Named to the 1999-2000 PA Young Readers’ Choice Award Master List. Named to the 1999-2000 Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award Master List. Named to the 2000-2001 Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Award. Dial Books for Young Readers, Penguin/Putnam ISBN 0803718233.  Retail price: $16.99.

___Chicken Soup for the Kid’s Soul: 101 stories from various authors, including one from Jan Peck:  #1 on Publisher’s Weekly Children’s Non-fiction Bestseller’s List!  Winner of Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Award “FAVORITE BOOK OF THE YEAR” Please note “tough issues” are dealt with in this book.  Health Communications: ISBN: 1558746099. Retail price: $14.95.

___Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea: Way down deep in the deep blue sea, there’s a lot to find.  I guarantee!  Come on! Be brave!  Just follow me!  And let’s explore the deep blue sea! For the youngest scientist. Written in rhythm and rhyme. Awesome illustrations!  Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, ISBN: 0-689-85110-3. Retail price: $15.95.

___Way Up High in a Tall Green Tree:  PBS Teachers Source Science list and 2005-2006 Golden Spur Award nominee. Explore the rainforest and see some awesome animals for the youngest scientist. Written in rhythm and rhyme and fun to read. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 1416900713.  Retail price: $15.95.

—– Way Far Away on a Wild Safari: Grab your binoculars and follow me. Let’s travel far away on a wild safari. There are lots of fun trails! Many sights to see! As we hike, hike, hike, on this wild safari. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, ISBN: 1416900721. Retail price: $15.95.

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