LITERATURE + LECTURES

Blue Willow Bookshop presents  Jarrett Krosoczka.   Have you ever wondered what the cafeteria workers at your school do after lunch is over? Join us as we welcome Jarrett Krosoczka, author of the Lunch Lady graphic novels, and you'll learn about the Lunch Lady's secret life. Once you read these books, you'll never look at your lunch ladies the same again!

Jarrett J. Krosoczka used to be a goofy kid that liked to draw. Now, he is an award winning published author/illustrator with many books to his credit. Growing up in Worcester, MA Jarrett drew relentlessly and always had a cast of characters that he wrote stories for. In 9th grade, Jarrett won a contest with The Worcester Telegram & Gazette and for the first time—saw his work in print.

This sparked a fire within. He went on to graduate from the Rhode Island School of Design, after being initially rejected. It was in his senior year that he received his first illustration job for a national educational publisher. Then, six months after graduating RISD, Jarrett carried his portfolio into New York City and landed a contract for his first book. He immediately ran to a pay phone to share the good news with his grandparents. Good Night, Monkey Boy was published on June 12, 2001 and Jarrett has since been busy producing more picture books—including Baghead; Bubble Bath Pirates; Annie Was Warned; Max for President; Punk Farm; Giddy Up, Cowgirl; My Buddy, Slug and Punk Farm on Tour. With the publication of Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute and Lunch Lady and the League of Librarians in July of 2009, Jarrett has embarked on a new journey in his career—that as a graphic novelist.

Jarrett has been chosen by Print as one of their 20 top new visual artists under 30 and has had his work short listed by Newsweek, USA Today, The Boston Globe and The New York Times, among others. His books have landed on numerous recommendation lists, including the Texas 2X2 list and the IRA/CBC Children's Choice Awards. Jarrett's book Punk Farm, which is about a group of raucous farm animals who form an underground rock band, is currently in development as a feature film.

With new picture book projects, as well as new Lunch Lady books on the horizon, Jarrett is happily living out his childhood dream in Northampton, MA where he resides with his wife Gina, daughter Zoe and pug Ralph Macchio.

Author photo credit c. Steve DePino www.stevedepino.com.   Book cover credit below, c. Jarrett J. Krosoczka.