Bethany Barton


Bethany Barton is an author and illustrator of children's books, as well as an Emmy-nominated Propmaster for film & TV. Barton's books combine colorful illustrations, humor, science communication and storytelling that aims to make STEAM-related topics enjoyable for kids.
WWW bethanybarton.com

Career

Barton's 2015 book I’m Trying To Love Spiders garnered numerous awards and starred reviews, including the 2016 Children's Book Council's Children's Choice Award 3rd/4th Grade Book of The Year. Her 2017 book Give Bees A Chance was a 2017 SCIBA Award finalist, was listed in Scripps National Spelling Bee “Great Words, Great Works,” and was featured in the New York Times. Her books have been translated into four languages. Her 2019 book, I'm Trying to Love Math, was named an Amazon Best Book of 2019 and I'm Trying To Love Rocks, hit stores in June 2020 with starred reviews. I'm Trying To Love Germs was published in November 2023 with School Library Journal calling it "a first purchase for any collection" in a starred review.
As well as illustrating her own stories, Barton has illustrated for other authors, including Todd Hasak-Lowy's middle grade novel 33 Minutes. She often spends several weeks of the year touring; doing school visits, speaking to authors and educators, and sharing her stories and creativity with young readers at schools and libraries across the globe.
Barton's career includes work in the art, prop, and set decoration departments for film & TV. In 2023, she was nominated for a Children's & Family Emmy in the category of Puppet Design & Styling for her work on The Muppets Mayhem. Notable projects include ABC Network's The Muppets, ''The Middle, Westworld, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Fallout, The Muppets Mayhem, The Muppet Show and Black-ish, as well as movies like Bumblebee'', and various commercials. She is represented by Writers House LLC.
In 2023, Bethany became a co-founder of the non-profit DopaMind, an organization created to "help young people navigate tech in the digital age."

Books

  • I'm Trying To Love Farts, 2025, Viking/Penguin
  • I'm Trying To Love Germs, 2023, Viking/Penguin
  • I'm Trying To Love Garbage, 2021, Viking/Penguin
  • I'm Trying To Love Rocks, 2020, Viking/Penguin
  • I'm Trying To Love Math, 2019, Viking/Penguin
  • Give Bees A Chance, 2017, Viking/Penguin
  • I'm Trying To Love Spiders, 2015, Viking/Penguin
  • 33 Minutes, 2013, by Todd Hasak-Lowy, illust. Bethany Barton,
  • This Monster Cannot Wait, 2013, Dial Books For Young Readers,
  • This Monster Needs A Haircut, 2012, Dial Books For Young Readers,

Book Awards

Nominations

  • 2017 SCIBA Book Award Finalist
  • 2017-2018 South Carolina Picture Book Award
  • 2016-2017 Charter Oak Children's Book Award
  • 2017 Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award
  • 2017-2018 North Carolina Children's Book Award
  • 2017-2018 Show Me Readers Award
  • 2018 Monarch Award
  • 2018 Garden State Book Award
  • 2019 Beehive Book Award
  • 2021 Beehive Informational Book Awards
  • 2022 Magnolia Book Award
  • 2023 North Carolina Children's Book Award

Film/TV Awards