Erin Dealey
Erin Dealey was teaching high school English & theater, writing plays for her students to perform, and reading picture books to her daughter at night, when the crazy idea of writing children’s books hit. Before that, she earned her B.A. in English and Art at U.C. Davis, and worked as a lifeguard, a maid at Yosemite National Park, bookstore manager, and lasted one day on the assembly line at a Pineapple Factory one summer in Hawaii. You may have seen her among the extras of various TV commercials and movies, while she waited for her big break. WHO KNEW these paths would prepare her to write books–and present energetic school visits–for kids from toddlers to teens? Extra bonus: It turns out children’s books are a lot like theater. You need memorable characters, strong dialog, and a hook that keeps the “audience” wanting more.
Dealey’s picture books include Dear Earth…From Your Friends in Room 5 (Harper Collins); Peter Easter Frog (Caitlyn Dlouhy Books); Snow Globe Wishes, K is for Kindergarten, and Deck the Walls (Sleeping Bear); Grandma's Favorite, Grandpa's Favorite, and Babies Come From Airports (Kane Miller); Goldie Locks Has Chicken Pox and Little Bo Peep Can't Get to Sleep (Atheneum),
Look for forthcoming picture books: The HALF Birthday Book (Genius Cat Books), and Christmas Ahoy! (Sleeping Bear) in 2023, as well as a to-be-announced title from Sleeping Bear coming in 2024.
Dealey heads the Theater Department of Sugarloaf Fine Arts Camp each summer, and still writes plays for her campers to perform.
Iris, Herself, her contemporary mg + historical nonfiction, is set in both present day northern California, and Arnhem, the Netherlands during WWII.
The Truth About Senior Year, her contemporaryYA, is loosely based on an edgy (and highly accident-prone) high school production of Macbeth that she helped to direct.
Dealey’s honors include Teacher of the Year and the International Reading Association Celebrate Literacy Award.
In her spare time, she writes screenplays and a weekly #kidlit blog. You can find her as @ErinDealey on social media. Or she might be at a school visit, traveling with her husband, or playing with a certain tennis-ball-obsessed dog.
For more about Erin Dealey, please visit erindealey.org
