'Authoring' begins at Page One

“An author is somebody who writes a story. It doesn't matter if you're a kid or if you're a grown-up, it doesn't matter if the book gets published and lots of people get to read it, or if you make just one copy and you share that book with one friend.”  –Jarrett J. Krosoczka

That’s how Krosoczka looks at his own writing career.  He started writing and drawing while in elementary school and still calls upon some of those early ideas in his book creation.  Born on Dec. 22, 1977, Krosoczka is the author and illustrator of countless books, 23 of which have been published.  He is perhaps best known for his 10-book award-winning Lunch Lady series, soon to hit movie screens starring Amy Poehler. 

His 2018 book, Hey, Kiddo, is a finalist for The National Book Award for Young People’s Literature.  

Raised by his maternal grandparents – his father mostly gone and his mother in-and-out of prison or rehab. centers – Krosoczka honed his artistic and writing talents at the Rhode Island School of Design.   His first book contract came shortly after graduation and he’s had a steady stream of successes since.  A few years ago, he used part of his book earnings to recognize the role his grandparents played in his life, establishing the Joseph and Shirley Krosoczka Memorial Youth Scholarships at the Worcester (Mass.) Art Museum.  Those scholarships provide tuition to underprivileged children who are in unique familial situations, not unlike his own.

“When I look back at my career as an author,” he said, “I don't look at the first book that was ever published as to where my career began.  I look to the first book that I ever wrote.”  
                               “You never know when your ideas are going to come back to you.”

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