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Photo of Jane Yolen

Jane Yolen

Born February 11, 1939

Science fiction and fantasy writer, editor, children’s author, and poet Jane Yolen was born in New York City. She grew up in Hollywood, New York City, and Newport News, Virginia, and earned a BA at Smith College and an MA in education at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Yolen’s stories use rhythm and rhyme in conjunction with elements of folklore and fantasy. In an article for the Huffington Post, she stated, “I write to satisfy the story or poem or piece of fascinating research that speaks to me. To rub a sore, to resonate with joy, to answer a question no one else has satisfactorily answered for me.” Yolen is the author of more than 300 books, and her work has been translated into almost two dozen languages. Her poetry collection Radiation Sonnets: Love, in Sickness and in Health (2003) deals with her late husband’s battle with cancer. Her numerous books for young readers include the picture books Owl Moon (1987, illustrated by John Schoenherr), How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? (2000, illustrated by Mark Teague), and the novella The Devil’s Arithmetic (2004). Her nonfiction includes Take Joy: A Writer’s Guide to Loving the Craft (2006) and Touch Magic: Fantasy, Faerie & Folklore in the Literature of Childhood (1981, expanded edition 2007). She has edited many anthologies, including Favorite Folktales from Around the World (1986). Yolen has received the Daedelus Award and the Catholic Library Association’s Regina Medal, and her books have won two Caldecott Medals, two Nebula Awards from the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, two Christopher Medals, and the Golden Kite Award from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She has honorary doctorates from Smith College, Keene State College, and the College of Our Lady of the Elms. The former president of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Yolen has served on the board of directors for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators for more than 25 years. She divides her time between homes in Hatfield, Massachusetts, and Scotland. (Website: www.janeyolen.com)

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Books63

Favorite Folktales from Around the World

Favorite Folktales from Around the World

Daddy Plays a Mean Guitar

Daddy Plays a Mean Guitar

2026

with Adam Stemple

Yuck, You Suck!

Yuck, You Suck!

2023

with Heidi E. Y. Stemple

I Am the Storm

I Am the Storm

2020

with Heidi E. Y. Stemple

The Midnight Circus

The Midnight Circus

2020
The Last Tsar's Dragons

The Last Tsar's Dragons

2019

with Adam Stemple

A Kite for Moon

A Kite for Moon

2019

with Heidi E.Y. Stemple

Snow White Learns Witchcraft

Snow White Learns Witchcraft

2019
How to Fracture a Fairy Tale

How to Fracture a Fairy Tale

2018
Mapping the Bones

Mapping the Bones

2018
Fly with Me

Fly with Me

2018

with Heidi Stemple, Adam Stemple and Jason Stemple

Finding Baba Yaga

Finding Baba Yaga

2018
The Emerald Circus

The Emerald Circus

2017
How Do Dinosaurs Choose Their Pets?

How Do Dinosaurs Choose Their Pets?

2016
You Nest Here with Me

You Nest Here with Me

2015

with Heidi E. Y. Stemple

How Do Dinosaurs Stay Safe?

How Do Dinosaurs Stay Safe?

2015
The Last Changeling

The Last Changeling

2014

with Adam Stemple

Beyond the Pale Motel

Beyond the Pale Motel

2014

with Z. Brewer

The Hostage Prince

The Hostage Prince

2013

with Adam Stemple

B.U.G.

B.U.G.

2013

with Adam Stemple

How Do Dinosaurs Say I'm Mad?

How Do Dinosaurs Say I'm Mad?

2013
The Last Dragon

The Last Dragon

2011
Not All Princesses Dress in Pink

Not All Princesses Dress in Pink

2010

with Heidi E. Y. Stemple

Il Diario delle Fate

Il Diario delle Fate

2010

with Midori Snyder

Except the Queen

Except the Queen

2010

with Midori Snyder

The Scarecrow's Dance

The Scarecrow's Dance

2009
Dragon's Heart

Dragon's Heart

2009
How Do Dinosaurs Go to School?

How Do Dinosaurs Go to School?

2007
The Troll Bridge

The Troll Bridge

2006

with Adam Stemple

How Do Dinosaurs Learn Their Colors?

How Do Dinosaurs Learn Their Colors?

2006
Fairy Tale Feasts: A Literary Cookbook for Young Readers and Eaters

Fairy Tale Feasts: A Literary Cookbook for Young Readers and Eaters

2006
How Do Dinosaurs Play with Their Friends?

How Do Dinosaurs Play with Their Friends?

2006
How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food?

How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food?

2005
Pay the Piper

Pay the Piper

2005

with Adam Stemple

Prince Across the Water

Prince Across the Water

2004

with Robert J. Harris

Sword Of The Rightful King

Sword Of The Rightful King

2003
How Do Dinosaurs Learn to Read?

How Do Dinosaurs Learn to Read?

2003

with Mark Teague

How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon?

How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon?

2003
Hippolyta and the Curse of the Amazons

Hippolyta and the Curse of the Amazons

2002

with Robert J. Harris

The Green Man: Tales from the Mythic Forest

The Green Man: Tales from the Mythic Forest

2002

with Midori Snyder, Carol Emshwiller, Jeffrey Ford, Emma Bull, Gregory Maguire and Carolyn Dunn

Horizons: Poems as Far as the Eye Can See

Horizons: Poems as Far as the Eye Can See

2002
Emerald Magic: Great Tales of Irish Fantasy

Emerald Magic: Great Tales of Irish Fantasy

2000
Queen's Own Fool

Queen's Own Fool

2000

with Robert J. Harris

How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?

How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?

2000
Nebula Awards 33: the Year's Best SF and Fantasy Chosen by the Science-fiction and Fantasy Writers of America

Nebula Awards 33: the Year's Best SF and Fantasy Chosen by the Science-fiction and Fantasy Writers of America

1999
Wizard's hall

Wizard's hall

1999
Mary Celeste: An Unsolved Mystery

Mary Celeste: An Unsolved Mystery

1999

with Heidi E.Y. Stemple

Fearless Girls, Wise Women & Beloved Sisters: Heroines in Folktales from Around the World

Fearless Girls, Wise Women & Beloved Sisters: Heroines in Folktales from Around the World

1998
A Sip of Aesop

A Sip of Aesop

1995
Alphabestiary

Alphabestiary

1995
Cut from the Same Cloth: American Women of Myth, Legend, and Tall Tale

Cut from the Same Cloth: American Women of Myth, Legend, and Tall Tale

1993

with Robert D. San Souci and Brian Pinkney

Briar Rose

Briar Rose

1992
White Jenna

White Jenna

1989
Atalanta and the Arcadian Beast

Atalanta and the Arcadian Beast

1989

with Robert J. Harris

The Devil's Arithmetic

The Devil's Arithmetic

1988
A Sending of Dragons

A Sending of Dragons

1987
Owl Moon

Owl Moon

1987
Heart's Blood

Heart's Blood

1984
Cards of Grief

Cards of Grief

1984
Dragon's Blood

Dragon's Blood

1982
The Boy Who Spoke Chimp

The Boy Who Spoke Chimp

1981
Zoo 2000: Twelve Stories of Science Fiction and Fantasy Beasts

Zoo 2000: Twelve Stories of Science Fiction and Fantasy Beasts

1973
Grimm's Complete Fairy Tales

Grimm's Complete Fairy Tales

1812

Graphic novels3

Bad Girls: Sirens, Jezebels, Murderesses, Thieves and Other Female Villains

Bad Girls: Sirens, Jezebels, Murderesses, Thieves and Other Female Villains

2012

with Heidi Stemple

Foiled

Foiled

2010
Castle Waiting, Vol. 1

Castle Waiting, Vol. 1

2005

Box sets & omnibuses1

Sister Light, Sister Dark

Sister Light, Sister Dark

1988