J. C. Phillipps

Bio

The J stands for Julie. The C stands for Christine. Just so you know, people call me Julie. You can too.

I grew up in Ohio and Michigan. I attended a ton of Saturday morning classes at the Toledo Museum of Art. I went to Hope College in Holland, MI where I studied art and theater. I highly recommend going to college and studying art and theater. It's really fun! Then I went to graduate school in Boston and studied theater education. I had such a good time studying theater that I went on to teach it. After I got my Master's Degree, I taught mask-making at Emerson College. I also taught young children at an afterschool program in Cambridge, MA. That's when I first started thinking about children's books.

I got married and we moved to Connecticut and had a son. We also acquired a friendly, but annoying cat named Java. Now I spend my time doing fun things like writing stories, making collages, and painting fish. And sometimes I do boring stuff, like folding laundry, cooking, and tidying up. (But even the boring stuff can give me ideas. Mostly it's just boring. Be nice to your mom.)

Here's a few pictures of me growing up. In the first one, I'm about two or three. In the last one I'm ... well, let's just say I'm twenty-nine. Okay?

Books

WINK! THE NINJA WHO WANTED TO BE NOTICED (2009, Viking)

The happiest day of Wink’s life was when he was accepted to the Summer Moon School for Young Ninjas. He is sure that he will be a great ninja. Silence is the first lesson and everyone is very very silent . . . except for Wink. Stealth is the second lesson and everyone is very very stealthy . . . except for Wink. Finally, Wink decides that he will be silent and stealthy. But no one notices! What’s the point of being a great ninja if no one notices? Maybe Wink wasn’t meant to be a ninja?

"Phillipps shows off her true calling . . . Entertaining and accessible." ~Kirkus Reviews

"[A] charming story . . . invigorated with originality and humor. This flashy picture book is sure to appeal to a wide audience." ~School Library Journal, starred review

COMING SOON!

WINK! THE NINJA WHO WANTED TO NAP (2011, Viking)

Wink is one busy ninja! After a tour of Japan with the Lucky Dragon Circus, Wink returns home to be interviewed by reporters and photographed for Popular Ninja Magazine. Wink is exhausted and needs a nap to regain his ninja pizazz. But with three eager fans following him wherever he goes, how can Wink find time to snooze?

School Visits

I offer a variety of presentations and art projects for the elementary school level.

Presentations consist of a reading of Wink, The Ninja Who Wanted To Be Noticed and an age appropriate "lecture" on how the book came to life. I ask many questions during my presentations and have several places for the students to interact. In addition to a background in theater, I have several years experience teaching at an after-school program, so I'm pretty good about keeping the kids engaged and am able to read a crowd and alter my presentation accordingly.

I offer:

• 45-60 minute Powerpoint Presentation for grades 2-6
• 30-40 minutes Powerpoint Presentation for grades K-2
• 30 minute classroom presentation fro grades Pre-K-1

I have two regular art projects I teach to kids: Japanese Brush Painting for the younger set, and Collage Ninjas for the older groups who are better with scissors. I have also taught children simply how to draw Wink and they made fabulous, creative bookmarks with markers. All art supplies are provided by the school.

I really enjoy visiting schools and meeting all the great kids and teachers. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

If you're in West Hartford, I try to keep signed copies at these local bookstores:

• Barnes & Noble
• Bookworm