Jo Kittinger
Jo Linda Susenbach Kittinger is an Alabama native known for her many children's books and for her participation in many local, national and international organizations. She is an active member of the Leaky Pens, and SCBWI. Kittinger served as a Co-Regional Advisor of the Southern Breeze chapter of SCBWI for eleven years and now holds the rank of Regional Advisor Emeritus.
Biography
Kittinger was born October 7, 1955, in Miami, Florida. She is an alumna of Vestavia Hills High School and of the University of Montevallo where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts, summa cum laude.Kittinger's interest in publishing began early. She was editor of her high school yearbook and began submitting original craft designs for publication shortly after college. Her projects may be found in numerous books and magazines published through Oxmoor House Books and Heritage House Publishing. Kittinger began writing for children in 1991. In addition to her books, Jo has published articles in various books and magazines including Pockets, Boys Quest and The Flicker. She has written numerous feature articles which have appeared on the Just For Kids page of the Birmingham News and a number of items for Harcourt Brace Educational Measurement and CTB/McGraw-Hill.
Kittinger has been an avid speaker over the last 10 years; speaking at everything from major conferences in the States, and as far away as Manila, Philippines, to author visits in local classrooms.
She also served as a representative of Hoover, Alabama for ten years on the board of the Mental Retardation / Developmental Disabilities Health Care Authority of Jefferson Co., Inc., standing up for Alabama citizens who live under afflictions similar to Cerebral Palsy, which impaired her eldest son.
Awards
Rosa's Bus: the Ride to Civil Rights was honored with a Crystal Kite award through the SCBWI.The House on Dirty-Third Street was the recipient of a Christopher Award in 2013. This picture book also received the first ever Social Justice Literature Award from the International Reading Association in 2013.
''Birmingham News'' articles by Jo Kittinger
"Plan the Perfect Staycation," June 7, 2009"Just Like NO ONE Used to Make," April 22, 2009
"Christmas Around the World," December 21, 2008
"A Primer to the Week's Holidays," December 21, 2008
""Spring Break Adventures" March 13, 2008
For Easter Fun, Think Outside the Basket" March 8, 2008
"Mom's Little Helpers," December 11, 2007
"New Twist on Old Yarns," September 15, 2007
"Fun at Camp Papa" August 2, 2007
"Annual Rodeo Rounds Up Fish and Fun" May 31, 2007
"Get in the Swim" May 24, 2007
"Festival a Throwback to Negro League Baseball" April 12, 2007
"The Drama of Equalization" January 25, 2007
- Worm learning Hemphill students get to heart of the matter
- Annual rodeo rounds up FISH and FUN FISHING IN THE PARK Annual East Lake Family Fishing Rodeo lures young anglers / XX
- GET IN THE SWIM! With all that's going on, there's no time for boredom; fun is just a registration form away
- BLACK DIAMONDS Baseball fans in for treat as former Negro League players tell their stories
- The drama of equalization Director's life experience leads to an honored play
- 'That Fat Cat' inspires scholarship program
- The price of ice Local figure-skating pair take the spills in stride
- AMAZING MAZE Teen triplets help parents make Columbiana maze Teen triplets help parents create twisting, turning fall fun in Columbiana
- Migrating monarchs headed our way Colorful butterflies pretty but poisonous
- Get ready to wiggle! Lovable preschool kids' band to stop here July 28
- Cash in on Fun
- Dora sets sail for adventure Dora the Explorer sets sail for adventure at BJCC next week
- Disney on Ice comes to life Popular princesses and their loves discover whole new world in Magic City
- Soaring to new heights Flight museum's classes take off, teach how airplanes work
Newspaper references of Jo Kittinger
- December 7, 2005: Wednesday, "City resident finds way to talk to kids - in books", COMMUNITY NEWS; Pg. 4H, 678 words, JEREMY GRAY News staff writer
- LECTURES/ LITERARY
- CALENDAR - LOOKING AHEAD EVENTS