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Back to Featured Interviews >> MEET JESSICA HARPER
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| Jessica Harper |
I have written seven picture books in the last decade, including the best-selling NORA’S ROOM. My most recent book, A PLACE CALLED KINDERGARTEN (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2006), received a starred review in Publisher’s Weekly and a NAPPA Gold Award. FOUR BOYS NAMED JORDAN was in the 2006 and 2007 Elementary California Collections. I am currently working on a series of chapter books for young readers. The first, UH-OH, CLEO, will be published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons in the spring of 2008.
How did getting married and becoming a mom affect your work?
After I became a mom in 1989, I wrote and produced seven CDs of music for children, which have earned multiple awards and rave reviews from critics in Entertainment Weekly, Parenting, Family Fun, Billboard and others. TV Guide’s Parent’s Guide stated that “…my lyrics…rank with the best of contemporary children’s poetry.” Of my 2002 release, “Inside Out,” Lynne Heffley of the LA Times said, “Children’s music doesn’t get better than this.” People Magazine did a special feature on me, my music, and my focus on family.
What careers did you have before you started writing children’s books?
I have worn many hats. As an actress I co-starred in Stardust Memories with Woody Allen, Pennies From Heaven with Steve Martin, My Favorite Year with Peter O’Toole, Minority Report with Tom Cruise and cult favorites “Phantom of the Paradise” and “Suspiria.” I won a Cable Ace Award for best actress in “It’s Garry Shandling’s Show,” and my numerous other television appearances include a guest shot on Late Night With David Letterman. I have had many stage experiences from ‘Hair’ on Broadway to co-starring with Al Pacino in regional theatre.
Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
My charitable work includes a board position at PXE International and weekly mentoring sessions with a teenage girl, under the auspices of WriteGirl .