Kelly DiPucchio


Kelly DiPucchio is an American writer of children's books. DiPucchio was born in Warren, Michigan. She graduated from Michigan State University in 1989 in child psychology and development. She lives in Detroit, Michigan. Her books have been on the New York Times bestseller list.

Work

DiPucchio's first published work, Bed Hogs, is about a piglet who is the runt of the litter and has no room to sleep at night.
The story Grace for President was written after an editor's preschool girl asked why there were no women presidents of the United States. The story follows Grace, an African-American girl, as she runs in a mock election at her school. Grace for President is a "helpful introduction to the electoral system and empowering story for girls," according to Booklist. In the U.S. children have dressed up as Grace for Halloween. The book was listed on The [New York Times Best Seller list] in 2008.
DiPucchio collaborated with Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan in the book, The Sandwich Swap.
Zombie in Love is a love story about a zombie named Mortimer who finally meets the girls of his dreams. Kirkus Reviews wrote that DiPucchio's writing was "loaded with humorous understatement." Zombie in Love has been turned into a stage play written by Michelle Elliot and with music by Danny Larsen.
Crafty Chloe: Dress-Up Mess-Up provides "insight into the creative process" according to Kirkus Reviews.
Gaston, a story about a bulldog being accidentally raised by poodles in a comic baby-mix-up story brings up the concepts of nature versus nurture and also about difficult concepts such as assimilation and gender. Publishers Weekly called Gaston a blend of sweetness and style.
Two of DiPucchio's stories, were IRA Teachers' Choices Reading List awardees: Grace for President was selected in 2009 and Gaston was selected in 2015. Gaston was also selected as a 2015 Notable Children's Book for younger readers by the Association for Library Service to Children. In 2014, she was awarded the Gwen Frostic Award, granted by the Michigan Reading Association to an illustrator or author from the state who has helped promote literacy.
Crafty Chloe won the 2012 NAPPA Gold Award in the category of Preschoolers & Up. The Sandwich Swap was approved by the 2010 Parents Choice Award. This book was co-written by Queen Rania al Abdullah of Jordan and appeared on The [New York Times Best Seller list] in 2010.

Publications

  • Bed Hogs, illustrated by Howard Fine, Hyperion Books for Children, 2004
  • Liberty's Journey, illustrated by Richard Egielski, Hyperion Books for Children, 2004
  • Dinosnores, illustrated by Ponder Goembel, HarperCollins, 2005
  • Mrs. McBloom, Clean Up Your Classroom!, illustrated by Guy Francis, Hyperion Books for Children, 2005
  • What's the Magic Word?, illustrated by Marsha Winborn, HarperCollins, 2005
  • Grace for President, illustrated by LeUyen Pham, Hyperion Books for Children, 2008
  • Sipping Spiders through a Straw: Campfire Songs for Monsters, illustrated by Gris Grimly, Scholastic Press, 2008
  • How to Potty Train Your Monster, illustrated by Mike Moon, Disney-Hyperion, 2009
  • Alfred Zector, Book Collector, illustrated by Macky Pamintuan, Harper, 2010
  • The Sandwich Swap, with Queen Rania al Abdullah, illustrated by Tricia Tusa, Disney-Hyperion Books, 2010
  • Clink, illustrated by Matthew Myers, Balzer & Bray, 2011
  • Gilbert Goldfish Wants a Pet, illustrated by Bob Shea, Dial Books for Young Readers, 2011
  • Zombie in Love, illustrated by Scott Campbell, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2011
  • Crafty Chloe, illustrated by Heather Ross, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2012
  • Crafty Chloe: ''Dress-Up Mess-Up, illustrated by Heather Ross, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2013
  • Gaston, illustrated by Christian Robinson, 2014
  • Zombie in Love 2+1, illustrated by Scott Campbell, 2014
  • Dog Days of School, illustrated by Brian Biggs, 2014
  • Everyone Loves Bacon, illustrated by Eric Wight, Farrar, Straus, and Giroux books for Young Readers, 2015,
  • Dragon Was Terrible, illustrated by Greg Pizzoli, Farrar, Straus, and Giroux books for Young Readers, 2016,
  • Everyone Loves Cupcake, illustrated by Eric Wight, Farrar, Straus, and Giroux books for Young Readers, 2016,
  • One Little Two Little Three Little Children, illustrated by Mary Lundquist, Balzer + Bray, 2016,
  • Antoinette, illustrated by Christian Robinson, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2017,
  • Super Manny Stands Up!, illustrated by Stephanie Graegin, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2017,
  • Littles: And How They Grow, illustrated by A.G. Ford, Doubleday Books for Young Readers, 2017,
  • Poe Won't Go, illustrated by Zachariah OHora, Disney-Hyperion, 2018
  • How to Grow Happiness: A Jerome the Gnome Adventure, illustrated by Matt Kaufenberg, Rodale Kids, 2018,
  • We're Going on a Treasure Hunt, illustrated by Jay Fleck, Farrar, Straus, and Giroux books for Young Readers, 2019,
  • Grace Goes to Washington'', illustrated by LeUyen Pham, Disney-Hyperion, 2019,