Jonathan’s first love is telling stories. An avid record collector, Jonathan finds some of his greatest inspiration while listening to a forgotten track from his vinyl vault.
Represented by Susan Graham: sgraham@einsteinliterary.com
THE SECRET RHINO SOCIETY
Jonathan’s first children's picture book The Secret Rhino Society is published by Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books with Samantha Cotterill as illustrator. Out now where books are sold!
“This engaging romp will be a great way to initiate conversations about diversity, tolerance, and acceptance.”—Booklist (starred review)
Check out John Schu’s wonderful interview with Jonathan and Samantha about the book!
READINGS & APPEARANCES
Jonathan is available for bookstore visits, school visits, and conferences. Inquire here, for more information!
EVENTS:
Snack & Read Live with Simon Kids
Tuesday, June 11th at 11am PST/2pm EST
TEACHING
Jonathan teaches an online children’s picture book-making class for kids ages 9-17. See a comprehensive description below.
Imagination to Empathy: Creating Your Own Children’s Picture Book!
In this fourteen-session course, kids ranging from ages 9 to 17 years old will learn to create imaginative children’s picture books inspired by a piece of advice they would like to have given their younger selves; this piece of advice becomes their book’s theme. Children will learn how to write from the inside out following a personal theme, write a story derived from that theme, conjure characters, create illustrations, and eventually bind their own finished picture book. Class size can range from 6-9 learners per section. This class can be offered online or in person. Ask me how I can bring this class to you!
RESIDENCIES
Jonathan was recently named a finalist for the Space on Ryder Farm Creative Residency, where he plans to work on his middle grade fantasy novel The Girl Who Breathed Dragons.
BILLY AND SLEETAH (a podcast)
During this tumultuous time on the planet earth, Jonathan and his son created a timely PODCAST entitled BILLY AND SLEETAH ! It’s Waiting for Godot meets Ren and Stimpy.
Jonathan’s son plays “Billy,” an eight and a half year old boy dealing with social distancing, quarantining, and remote learning, and Jonathan plays his imaginary friend “Sleetah,” an oversized sloth-cheetah hybrid!