MAIN PAGE
WHAT'S NEW?
BOOKLIST

PORTFOLIO

FAVORITES
AWARDS/HONORS
BIOGRAPHY
INTERVIEW
CONTACT TRUE
LINKS

ON-LINE BOOKSTORE

Text and artwork
© 2006-7 True Kelley.
All Rights Reserved.
Last Update Dec. 2006

 
 
 
     

      Coming Soon:

WHO WAS GEORGE WASHINGTON, by Roberta Edwards, Grosset and Dunlop, 2008.

WHO WAS PABLO PICASSO, by True Kelley, Grosset and Dunlop, 2009.

A POCKETFULL OF COINS, by Margarette S. Reid, E.P. Dutton, 2010.
     

 

What's New:

09/08:

THE DOG WHO SAVED SANTA, Holiday House, 2008. Even though it's Christmastime, young Santa doesn't do much except watch tv and eat fruitcake. Meanwhile, Santa's dog Rodney, and the elves, do all the work. On Christmas Eve Santa falls asleep in the sleigh, so Rodney is forced to take charge. But how will Rodney ever get slacker Santa to start doing his job?

REVIEWS

Booklist
"Rodney - the most engaging Christmas canine since the star of J. Otto Seibold's Olive,the Other Reindeer."

Kirkus Reviews
"Kelley pulls it off with her droll humor in both text and illustrations, aided by a memorable canine character."

The Horn Book, Holiday High Notes List
"...sitcom -savvy kids will enjoy the irreverence, considerably and expertly helped along by Kelley's illustrations...a fresh alternative to Christmas sweetness."

School Library Journal
"The artwork captures the endearing pup's antics and will give readers the giggles. An amusing, if silly, addition to most holiday collections."

The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, Books Worth Knowing
"Kids who feel - or would like to pretend- that they're so over Christmas will find this sly reinvigoration a tasty stocking-stuffer."

Children's Literature
"If the thought of a dog named "Rodney" saving Christmas and turning Santa into the "hardworking spirit of Christmas we know today" sounds like fun, then you have found your next holiday classic."

 

     

OLLIE'S NEW TRICKS, Scholastic, 2008. An old dog learns some fantastic new tricks.

 
     

09/07

The second Blabber Mouse book, THE BLABBER REPORT, has just been released, and a book I wrote and illustrated about the painter Renoir.

   


REVIEWS

Booklist
"As in her previous titles, Kelley captures kids' concerns with humor and sensitivity. The ink-and-watercolor illustrations effectively telegraph the students' anxiety and hard work, and they present a reassuring, realistic picture of classroom life in details that are best viewed up close... a natural choice for early-elementary students facing their first big projects."

School Library Journal
"The talkative star of Blabber Mouse (Dutton, 2001) is back....The bold, varied cartoon illustrations are appealing and provide drama. The clothing and demeanor of the mouse characters realistically echo students found in a typical classroom. Subtle humor in the illustrations will delight more observant youngsters... Many youngsters will identify with Blabber's terror of public speaking, and the theme of teamwork is strong as his friends rally around him during his presentation."

 
      The Page to Stage Players at New London Barn Playhouse have put on hilarious and very professional adaptations of BLABBER MOUSE and THE BLABBER REPORT with the guidance of John Baker. It was really fun for me to see my books on stage, complete with mouse costumes, singing and choreography!