Jedis, Lunch Ladies, And So Much More: Get Ready for a Special Storytime Takeover with Jarrett J. Krosoczka
A lively summer at the Avalon Free Public Library is about to get even more exciting with a Storytime Takeover event with bestselling author/illustrator Jarrett J. Krosoczka on Tuesday, July 9 from 10-11am. Known since childhood as “JJK,” Krosoczka is the award-winning creator of more than 40 books for younger readers, including the sensationally popular “Lunch Lady” graphic novels, and select volumes of the “Star Wars Jedi Academy” series.
“He’s so great, we are incredibly excited about this event,” says Kara Buono, the director of programs and outreach at the Avalon Library. “Jarrett Krosoczka is quirky and fun. Kids absolutely love his books and his unique style of art. They instantly recognize his characters.”
While the library has hosted many authors over the years, having a writer who also illustrates their own work is a rare treat. “He will live draw some of his characters for the audience,” says Buono. “This will be a Storytime unlike any other this summer!”
Krosoczka (pronounced “Crow-Sauce-KAH) is equally excited about coming to the Avalon Library.
“I love getting to meet my readers in real life,” he shares. “An actor has the stage while the author has the page, so presenting at libraries allows me to have real-time audience feedback. When I get back into the studio after these author visits, I am so charged to know that my work can make a difference once it gets out there!”
Being excited about work has never been hard for Krosoczka, who has known he wanted to be a writer and illustrator from a young age. Creating comic books and picture books in his childhood, Krosoczka continued to pursue his passion for combining art and storytelling through his education at the Rhode Island School of Design, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1999.
In 2001, his first book, “Good Night, Monkey Boy,” was published by Random House. And then he was off to the creative races, publishing at a prolific rate for a little more than two decades. Known for producing books with heart, humor, and a deep respect for his young readers, Krosoczka writes for a wide variety of age groups and his books can be found in homes, schools, bookstores, and libraries far and wide.
Having so many young readers who love his work is “by far the best part of my job,” he says. “Getting to be a part of people’s childhoods is an immense honor that I do not take lightly.”
Speaking of honor, Krosoczka himself shined a bright light on an unsung heroine with his wildly popular “Lunch Lady” series, about a school cafeteria worker who is also a crime-fighting spy. As it turns out, this zany character sprung into Krosoczka’s imagination after a chance encounter with his own childhood lunch lady, Jeanne, whom he calls “the beloved lunch lady of the school.”
Visiting his old school on a book tour, Krosoczka ran into Jeanne, who he was surprised to find still remembered him. When Jeanne started talking about her grandkids, a spark of an idea sent Krosoczka on a creative journey that would ultimately result in 10 graphic novels. The “Lunch Lady” audiobooks are also incredibly popular and narrated by actress Kate Flannery of “The Office,” with a cast that includes Krosoczka himself, along with a variety of famed audiobook narrators and child actors.
Inspired by his experience and the success of the books, Krosoczka founded School Lunch Hero Day in 2013. Now it is celebrated every year on the first Friday of May in schools around the nation and honors the hard work and commitment of the people who feed scores of children every day, with no fanfare and very little recognition.
Civic-minded, Krosoczka also created the Joseph and Shirley Krosoczka Memorial Youth scholarship, which honors his grandparents who raised him, and funds art classes for underprivileged children near his hometown of Worcester, Mass.
Krosoczka’s upbringing by his grandparents and the circumstances that led to it are the subject of his hit book, “Hey, Kiddo.” Published in 2018, the graphic novel is a frank memoir of Krosoczka’s childhood and was a National Book Award Finalist. Geared more toward teens than young children, “Hey, Kiddo” was also made into an award-winning audiobook that Krosoczka produced, directed, and performed in.
Not only has Krosoczka been a guest on numerous shows including “Good Morning America” and NPR’s “Fresh Air with Terry Gross,” but he’s also delivered three TED Talks that have been watched by millions and has a huge following for his YouTube and TikTok tutorials. Reaching audiences in print, through art, presentations, speeches, and audiobooks, it’s safe to say Jarrett Krosoczka is a multimedia star.
For all of his success, Krosoczka remains humble and consistently inspired by the world around him.
“It can be tough to be bored in our modern society,” he says. “Inspiration is everywhere and everything! But when we are bored, we notice things, and our minds wander – which is imperative to creativity.”
When he’s brainstorming, he says, “I work through ideas with visuals and scribbled notes. However, I need a somewhat tight manuscript before I really dig into creating the finished illustrations.”
With every project, he stretches the seeds of creativity that were planted in his boyhood.
“Artistic style evolves over time; you can’t force it,” he says. “The art that one takes in as a kid and consumes over the years becomes a part of the fabric of the artist you become. Then with both writing and illustrating, I adjust the tone depending on who my audience is for that particular book.”
With a rich catalog of work, a warm personality, and creative flair, Krosoczka is a coveted guest at the Avalon Library. “He’s very personable and his shows are always well attended,” says Buono.
For his part, Krosoczka is thrilled to be appearing at the Avalon Library, in part to highlight the great work of librarians. “They are the backbone of our educational system,” he says. “And public librarians in the summer particularly need to be lauded for their hard work!”
Beyond that, Krosoczka is ready to wow the crowd on July 9.
“I deliver a multimedia, animated slideshow detailing how I grew from being a kid who loved to draw to being an adult who makes books professionally,” he notes. “I’ll also demystify my creative process by sharing early drafts of the “Lunch Lady” books with peeks into old sketchbooks. After I share my creative process, I’ll be live drawing to demonstrate how I communicate with comics, followed by a Q&A. It is a very tight and entertaining 45 minutes!”
Avalon … prepare to be captivated by Storytime with Jarrett.
To Know if You Go
Who: Jarrett J. Krosoczka, bestselling writer/illustrator of “Punk Farm,” the “Lunch Lady” series, select volumes of the “Star Wars Jedi Academy series,” “Hello, Kiddo,” and the “Platypus Police Squad” series and more. He is a two-time winner of the Children’s Choice Book Award for the 3rd to 4th Grade Book of the Year, an Eisner Award nominee, and a National Book Award finalist. He also has a popular online presence with three TED talks with millions of views, and extremely popular tutorials on YouTube and TikTok, and the author and/or illustrator of more than 40 books for young readers.
What: Multimedia Storytime Takeover Event and Book Signing
Where: Avalon Free Public Library, 235 32nd St., Avalon
When: Tuesday, July 9, at 10am
How: No registration required
**Books will be available for purchase at the event, and you can bring your own copies of his books to be signed.
