Petty, Kate

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PETTY, Kate

PERSONAL: Married; children: two. Education: Attended York University.

ADDRESSES: Home—London, England. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Stargazer Books, P.O. Box 227, Mankato, MN 56002.

CAREER: Writer and editor. Eden Project, responsible for children's book publishing.

WRITINGS:

NONFICTION FOR CHILDREN

Space Shuttle, illustrated by Tessa Barwick, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1984.

Snakes, illustrated by Alan Baker, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1984.

Satellites, illustrated by Mike Saunders and Andrew Farmer, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1984.

Robots, illustrated by Mike Saunders and Adam Willis, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1984.

The Planets, illustrated by Mike Saunders, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1984.

On a Plane, illustrated by Aline Riquier, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1984.

Dinosaurs, illustrated by Alan Baker, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1984.

Computers, illustrated by Anthony Kerins, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1984.

The Sun, illustrated by Mike Saunders, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1985.

Spiders, illustrated by Alan Baker, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1985.

Sharks, illustrated by Karen Johnson, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1985.

Numbers, illustrated by Cooper-West, programs by Marcus Milton, Robin Betts, and Henry Waldock, Gloucester Press (New York, NY), 1985.

Games, illustrated by Cooper-West, programs by Marcus Milton, Robin Betts, and Henry Waldock, Gloucester Press (New York, NY), 1985.

Comets, illustrated by Mike Saunders, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1985.

Build Your Own Space Station, illustrated by Louise Nevett, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1985.

Build Your Own Farmyard, illustrated by Louise Nevett, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1985.

Build Your Own Castle, illustrated by Louise Nevett, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1985.

Build Your Own Airport, illustrated by Louise Nevett, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1985.

Submarines, illustrated by Mike Saunders and Chris Forsey, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1986.

Racing Cars, illustrated by Mike Saunders, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1986.

Puzzles, illustrated by Cooper-West and Tessa Barwick, programs by Robin Betts and others, Gloucester Press (New York, NY), 1986.

Pictures, illustrated by Cooper-West and Tessa Barwick, Gloucester Press (New York, NY), 1986.

Motorbikes, illustrated by Mike Saunders, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1986.

Airliners, illustrated by Douglas Harker, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1986.

Vikings, illustrated by Ivan Lapper, Gloucester Press (New York, NY), 1987.

Trucks, illustrated by Chris Forsey, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1987.

Reptiles, illustrated by Gary Hincks, Alan Male, and Phil Weare, Gloucester Press (New York, NY), 1987.

Helicopters, illustrated by Douglas Harker, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1987.

Eskimos, illustrated by Maurice Wilson, Gloucester Press (New York, NY), 1987.

Birds of Prey, illustrated by Louise Nevett and Tessa Barwick, Gloucester Press (New York, NY), 1987.

Bees and Wasps, revised edition, illustrated by Norman Weaver, Gloucester Press (New York, NY), 1987.

Whales, revised edition, illustrated by Tony Swift and Norman Weaver, Gloucester Press (New York, NY), 1988.

Plains Indians, revised edition, illustrated by Maurice Wilson, Gloucester Press (New York, NY), 1988.

Arctic Lands, revised edition, illustrated by Maurice Wilson, Gloucester Press (New York, NY), 1988.

Rabbits, Gloucester Press (New York, NY), 1989.

Hamsters, illustrated by George Thompson, Gloucester Press (New York, NY), 1989.

Guinea Pigs, illustrated by George Thompson, Gloucester Press (New York, NY), 1989.

Gerbils, illustrated by George Thompson, Gloucester Press (New York, NY), 1989.

Dogs, illustrated by George Thompson, Gloucester Press (New York, NY), 1989.

Cats, illustrated by George Thompson, Gloucester Press (New York, NY), 1989.

Tigers, F. Watts, (New York, NY), 1990.

Puppies, illustrated by George Thompson, Gloucester Press (New York, NY), 1990.

Ponies and Foals, Gloucester Press (New York, NY), 1990.

Pandas, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1990.

Lions, illustrated by George Thompson, Gloucester Press (New York, NY), 1990.

Kittens, Gloucester Press (New York, NY), 1990.

Kangaroos, illustrated by George Thompson, Gloucester Press (New York, NY), 1990.

Fire, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1990.

Elephants, illustrated by George Thompson, Gloucester Press (New York, NY), 1990.

Earth, photographs by Chris Fairclough, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1990.

Ducklings, Gloucester Press (New York, NY), 1990.

Chimpanzees, illustrated by George Thompson, Gloucester Press (New York, NY), 1990.

Seals, Gloucester Press (New York, NY), 1991.

New Shoes, photographs by Ed Barber, A & C Black (London, England), 1991.

New Shampoo, photographs by Ed Barber, A & C Black (London, England), 1991.

New Car, photographs by Ed Barber, A & C Black (London, England), 1991.

New Bike, photographs by Ed Barber, A & C Black (London, England), 1991.

(With Charlotte Firmin) Playing the Game, Barron's (New York, NY), 1991.

Bears, Gloucester Press (New York, NY), 1991.

Giant Pandas, Barron's (Hauppauge, NY), 1992.

Hamsters/Guinea Pigs Flip Book, Barron's (Hauppauge, NY), 1995.

(With Jennie Maizels) The Amazing Pop-up Grammar Book, Dutton Children's Books (New York, NY), 1996.

You Can Jump Higher on the Moon, illustrated by Francis Phillipps and others, Copper Beech Books (Brookfield, CT), 1997.

The Sun Is a Star, illustrated by Francis Phillipps and others, Copper Beech Books (Brookfield, CT), 1997.

Some Trains Run on Water, illustrated by Ross Walton and Jo Moore, Copper Beech Books (Brookfield, CT), 1997.

Dinosaurs Laid Eggs, illustrated by James Field and others, Copper Beech Books (Brookfield, CT), 1997.

Whales Can Sing, illustrated by Darren Harvey and Jo Moore, Copper Beech Books (Brookfield, CT), 1998.

(With Jennie Maizels) The Terrific Times Tables Book, Bodley Head (London, England), 1998.

Some Planes Hover, illustrated by Ross Watton and Jo Moore, Copper Beech Books (Brookfield, CT), 1998.

People Chase Twisters, illustrated by Peter Roberts and Jo Moore, Copper Beech Books (Brookfield, CT), 1998.

Crocodiles Yawn to Keep Cool, illustrated by James Field and Jo Moore, Copper Beech Books (Brookfield, CT), 1998.

(With Jennie Maizels) The Amazing Pop-up Multiplication Book, paper engineering by Damian Johnston, Dutton Children's Books (New York, NY), 1998.

Tidal Waves Wash away Cities, Copper Beech Books (Brookfield, CT), 1999.

Horse Heroes: True Stories of Amazing Horses, DK (New York, NY), 1999.

(With Jennie Maizels) The Amazing Pop-up Music Book, Dutton Children's Books (New York, NY), 1999.

(With Jennie Maizels) The Amazing Pop-up Geography Book, Dutton Children's Books (New York, NY), 2000.

(With Jennie Maizels) The Super Science Book, Random House (New York, NY), 2002.

Animal Movement, Chelsea House Publishers (Philadelphia, PA), 2004.

Animal Camouflage and Defense, Chelsea House Publishers (Philadelphia, PA), 2004.

Don't Wake Stanley, QEB Publications (North Mankato, MN), 2005.

(With Gary Jeffrey) Sitting Bull: The Life of a Lakota Sioux Chief, illustrated by Terry Riley, Rosen (New York, NY), 2005.

(With Gary Jeffrey) Julius Caesar: The Life of a Roman General, illustrated by Sam Hadley, Rosen Central (New York, NY), 2005.

(With Gary Jeffrey) Abraham Lincoln: The Life of America's Sixteenth President, illustrated by Mike Lacey, Rosen Central (New York, NY), 2005.

FICTION FOR CHILDREN

(With Lisa Kopper) What's That Taste?, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1986.

(With Lisa Kopper) What's That Number?, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1986.

(With Lisa Kopper) What's That Noise?, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1986.

(With Lisa Kopper) What's That Color?, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1986.

(With Lisa Kopper) What's That Size?, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1987.

(With Lisa Kopper) What's That Shape?, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1987.

(With Lisa Kopper) What's That Feel?, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1987.

(With Lisa Kopper) Starting School, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1987.

(With Lisa Kopper) The New Baby, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1987.

(With Lisa Kopper) Moving House, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1987.

(With Lisa Kopper) Going to the Doctor, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1987.

(With Lisa Kopper) What's That Smell?, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1987.

(With Lisa Kopper) Staying Overnight, Gloucester Press (New York, NY), 1988.

(With Lisa Kopper) Splitting Up, Gloucester Press (New York, NY), 1988.

(With Lisa Kopper) Going to the Dentist, Gloucester Press (New York, NY), 1988.

(With Lisa Kopper) Being Careful with Strangers, Gloucester Press (New York, NY), 1988.

Stop, Look and Listen, Mr. Toad!, illustrated by Alan Baker, Barron's (New York, NY), 1991.

(With Charlotte Firmin) Playing the Game, Barron's (New York, NY), 1991.

(With Charlotte Firmin) Making Friends, Barron's (New York, NY), 1991.

(With Charlotte Firmin) Feeling Left Out, Barron's (New York, NY), 1991.

(With Charlotte Firmin) Being Bullied, Barron's (New York, NY), 1991.

Mr. Toad's Narrow Escape, illustrated by Alan Baker, Barron's (Hauppauge, NY), 1992.

Mr. Toad to the Rescue, illustrated by Alan Baker, Barron's (Hauppauge, NY), 1992.

(With Jakki Wood) The Sky above Us, Barron's (Hauppauge, NY), 1993.

(With Jakki Wood) Our Globe, Our World, Barron's (Hauppauge, NY), 1993.

(With Jakki Wood) Maps and Journeys, Barron's (Hauppauge, NY), 1993.

(With Jakki Wood) The Ground below Us, Barron's (Hauppauge, NY), 1993.

(With Axel Scheffler) Sam Plants a Sunflower: A Lift-the-Flap Nature Book with Real Seeds, Andrews McMeel (Kansas City, MO), 1997.

(With Axel Scheffler) Rosie Plants a Radish: A Lift-the-Flap Nature Book with Real Seeds, Andrews McMeel (Kansas City, MO), 1997.

Little Rabbit's First Number Book, illustrated by Allan Baker, Kingfisher (New York, NY), 1998.

SIDELIGHTS: Kate Petty has been writing both juvenile fiction and nonfiction since the 1980s, and in both categories she has focused largely on educating young readers about various topics or circumstances in life. In her book Horse Heroes: True Stories of Amazing Horses, for example, the author writes about a variety of famous horses, including the horse Trigger owned by the cowboy star Roy Rogers. In addition to detailing the life and career of Trigger and other notable horses such as Red Rum the racing horse, the author also talks about groups of horses, including the performing Royal Lipizzaners and the Pony Express horses that were used to deliver mail in the western United States. The book includes a glossary and maps. In a review for Booklist, Shelley Townsend-Hudson wrote that "this book is tailor-made to satisfy any reader's ache for horse adventures."

On many other works, Petty has also collaborated with other authors, including Jennie Maizels, with whom she has written a series of pop-up books. In The Amazing Pop-up Music Book, Petty and Maizels teach children the fundamentals of music in a presentation that includes a battery-operated keyboard. In a review for Publishers Weekly, a contributor wrote that "Learning to read music was never as much fun." The Amazing Pop-up Geography Book includes such things as a paper globe and a pop-up volcano. Petty and Maizels also collaborated on the The Super Science Book, in which they discuss physical science from atoms to compounds. "If you want to be a scientist, READ THIS BOOK," wrote a reviewer on the Irish Universities Promoting Science Web site.

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, July, 1999, Shelley Townsend-Hudson, review of Horse Heroes: True Stories of Amazing Horses, p. 1945.

Publishers Weekly, November 1, 1999, review of The Amazing Pop-up Music Book, p. 86; July 31, 2000, review of The Amazing Pop-up Geography Book, p. 97.