About the Author

Jef Czekaj is a cartoonist, children's book author and illustrator, and underground DJ. His comic, Grampa and Julie: Shark Hunters, ran in Nickelodeon magazine for more than ten years. Jef's other picture books include Cat Secrets; Oink-a-Doodle-Moo; Hip & Hop, Don't Stop!; and A Call for a New Alphabet. He lives in Somerville, Massachusetts.

Reviews

"Enjoyable humor with a subtle lesson about...accepting a child who is different." -- Kirkus Reviews"A great read-aloud for engaging and amusing...preschoolers with short attention spans." -- School Library JournalPraise for AUSTIN, LOST IN AMERICA: "Full of colorful, energetic images in [Czekaj's] typical witty style, with laugh-out-loud graphic novel-style scenes from start to finish... A recommended purchase." -- School Library JournalPraise for OINK-A-DOODLE-MOO: "This circular tale offers plenty of laughs, and children will love to join in on the wacky string of animal sounds. A great storytime choice....Pass it on." -- School Library JournalPraise for OINK-A-DOODLE-MOO: "Get ready for many, ever-sillier rereadings." -- Kirkus ReviewsPraise for OINK-A-DOODLE-MOO: "Czekaj wrings an impressive amount of humor from a simple conceit; the story will likely have children ready to play telephone (or just make some animal noises)." -- Publishers WeeklyPraise for OINK-A-DOODLE-MOO: "The simple compositions, dynamic posed animals, bright colors, and large word bubbles will make this as successful with larger groups as it will be with an audience of a few." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's BooksPraise for CAT SECRETS: "There's readalone potential here as well as readaloud, but most of all there's pretend-to-be-a-kitty potential, and kids will find the opportunity irresistible." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's BooksPraise for CAT SECRETS: "The book has obvious appeal as a read-aloud, with its instructions and large-format cartoons, but it has the intimacy of a story to be read independently." -- School Library JournalPraise for CAT SECRETS: "Irresistible cartoon art." -- BooklistPraise for CAT SECRETS: "Expressive, high-contrast, high-energy cartoons." -- Publishers WeeklyPraise for HIP AND HOP, DON'T STOP!: "The bright colors and engaging characters will grab children's attention."- -- School Library Journal