Jeanie Ransom

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. Oras his brother Detective Joe Dumpty thinks was he pushed? This case isn't all it's cracked up to be. Suspects are plenty (as are the puns) in this scrambled story of nursery rhyme noir. Was it Little Miss Muffet? There's something not right about her tuffet. Or could it have been Chicken Little, who has always been a little cagey? Or was it the Big Bad Wolf, who has got a rap sheet as long as a moonless night? Joe's on the beat and determined to find the truth. Readers of all ages will delight in the word play and hilarious illustrations in this mystery of what really happened to Humpty Dumpty on that fateful day.

Awards:
IRA/CBC Children's Choices
CCBC Choices - Picture Books for School-Aged Children

Editorial Reviews

Hard-boiled detective Joe Dumpty’s ovoid body is encased in a ’40s-era belted brown trench coat topped with a fedora, and his clipped statements will remind older readers of TV’s Joe Friday. Here, cleft-chinned Joe recounts how he cracked one of the toughest mysteries in Mother Gooseland: the assault with intent to spill the yolky interior of his older brother, Humpty. Joe tells how he examined the crime scene before the ambulance arrived (pulled by all the king’s horses and filled with all the king’s men). He recovers some evidence from under Miss Muffet’s tuffet, interviews the shell-shocked Humpty in the hospital, and follows the trail of evidence to one very huffy Big Bad Wolf, dressed to kill in gangster pinstripes. This enchanting send-up of old-time detective stories will have older readers in stitches, while younger readers will get caught up in the clever recombination of fairy-tale characters. The illustrations, done in watercolor and pen and ink, are as filled with puns and crowded with humorous detail as the story—even the typeface looks like it was pounded out by an old Remington typewriter. This CSI: Mother Goose is a winner. Grades 1-4. --Connie Fletcher

Two children set off to spend the night at their grandparents'. Throughout the course of the day, the young boy's imagination runs wild as he imagines what his parents are doing while he's away. Jumping on beds, he thinks, or sledding down the stairs on pillows. Watching hours and hours of television, playing ball in the house, dressing up the dog, eating junk food, playing video games, and in general making one VERY BIG mess!

The next morning when the kids come home the house looks tidy. "It was pretty quiet," says Dad... but was it? Mom is hiding something behind her back. And those socks hanging from the ceiling fan... they weren't there yesterday.

Awards:
2008 Kansas State Reading Circle
Recommended Reading List, The Best Children's Books of the Year - 2008
(Bank Street College of Education).

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2—In the same spirit as Anne Bowen's What Do Teachers Do (after YOU Leave School)? (Carolrhoda, 2006), this entertaining story explores the trouble that mischievous adults can get into when they have the house to themselves. The young narrator and his sister spend the night with their grandparents, leaving Mom and Dad home alone. According to the imaginative boy, his parents jump on the bed and slide down the stairs on pillows. They play video games and eat pizza in front of the television. The young-at-heart adults also fight over his toys and dress up the hapless dog. At the end of each page, the son follows up his recounting with a parental admonishment. ("Somebody always gets hurt when you play rough" or, "Is that the best use of their time?") Meanwhile, the kids enjoy a well-behaved visit with Grandma and Granddad, which is depicted in illustrations set off in the bottom corners of the pages. Of course, when the children return home, all evidence of their parents' rowdy evening has been erased. The watercolor-and-colored-pencil illustrations add humorous details to the story. The fluffy, white mutt's expressive reactions to the unaccustomed mayhem are particularly comical. This fun-filled selection provides an inventive twist to a typical story.—Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

What, indeed? According to the young narrator, when the kids aren't home, the parents jump on the bed, watch TV shows "they've seen a bazillion times," and dress up the dog. The main illustrations feature two exuberant adults making a mess with toys, food, and clothes, while smaller pictures show the narrator and his little sister having fun at their grandparents' house. Young listeners may be familiar with the narrator's reactions to parental misbehavior: "They've probably ruined their appetites." "They better hope those Kool-Aid stains come out!" Most fun, though, are the household mysteries that are explained: a game in which socks are tossed on the ceiling fan engenders the comment, "No wonder we can never find two socks that match!" Moore's illustrations, which bring to mind Marc Brown's Arthur books (without the animals-as-people angle), include some nice touches, such as the patient-looking dog wearing gloves on its ears. Abby Nolan Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

From School Library Journal

The piggies in Mrs. McNeal's class learn the difference between tattling and informing an adult in an emergency. After enduring a morning of students "squealing" on one another, the teacher explains that kids should try to work out their kid-sized problems themselves, but they should seek help when a more serious situation arises. When Mrs. M. falls down, the children take the appropriate action and call for help. Although the plot is contrived and the ending abrupt, readers will recognize the familiar-sounding accusations. The brightly colored cartoons are on target and add a touch of humor to the didactic text. A concluding note discusses common reasons why children tattle as well as ways to turn these episodes into teachable moments by using problem-solving skills. This book may be helpful for teachers and parents who need to deal with this particular nuisance.—Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --

Molly McCool, finding out that she will be a grandmother for the first time, signs up for classes at Grandma University but doesn't understand when the teacher says the students already know the most important thing of all.

Editorial Reviews

This inventive tale follows the education of Molly McCool, a hip, fit, convertible-driving grandma-to-be who worries that she doesn't know how to be a grandma. She's forgotten her nursery rhymes, and can't bake an edible cookie to save her life. But, under the tutelage of wise Mrs. Applebee, Molly learns the important basics. The author's amusing concept translates well to the page, allowing for a wide range of comic situations. Classes at Grandma University include such useful subjects as "Bottoms Up" (the art of fine diapering), "Gah-Gahs, Goo-Goos, & Giggles" (baby talk for beginners), and "Rock 'n' Read" (repeated, consecutive readings of the same book). Ransom's writing is lively, witty, and well paced. Molly's worry that she won't measure up builds to an effective and satisfying conclusion. Corvino's curvy, exuberant watercolor-and-colored-pencil drawings, dominated by shades of sunny yellow and cheery green, are a perfect accompaniment to the text. The exaggerated characterizations are wonderfully silly, especially of the grannies at recess or practicing their goofy faces with hand-held mirrors. This visually appealing, contemporary tale is perfect for, but not limited to, intergenerational sharing, especially for those grandmothers who have taken "Rock 'n' Read 101" at their local university. Children will ask for this one over and over again. Carol L. MacKay, Camrose Public Library, Alberta, Canada Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Reading level: Ages 4-8 Hardcover: 28 pages Publisher: Magination Press; 1 edition (September 2000)

Presentations for Schools and Libraries

"I Don't Have a Clue What to Write About!"

Kids aren't the only ones who get stuck when faced with a blank page. Writers of all ages sometimes struggle to find something to write about. And just like kids, adult writers often have to complete assignments on a deadline. During this presentation, we'll put on our sleuthing hats and investigate two great ways to come up with ideas, then brainstorm some possible story scenarios. Especially good for young or reluctant writers.

Presentation Length: 45-60 minutes
Suggested Audience: 1st Grade and up

"How a Book Becomes a Book: From Inspiration to Publication"

It takes more than a writer to get a book published. We'll take a look at all the "characters" involved in bringing an author's idea to life - as well as the different steps involved in the process - in this interactive presentation that can be tailored to any size audience, from individual classrooms to assemblies. Also good for evening events, such as PTA/PTO meetings, literacy night, book fairs, etc.

Presentation Length: 45-60 minutes
Suggested Audience: K and up

Note: I can do a 30-minute "mini version" of this presentation for
kindergarten students.

Classroom or Grade-Level Workshops

"The Magic of Three"

The Three Little Pigs, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, the Three Billy Goats Gruff. The number three is an important element in children's literature, as well as an important tool for writers. So what's behind this "magic of three"? Find out, as we look at different examples and learn the formula for creating conflict, maintaining tension, and holding a reader's interest. Once you know the secret, you'll find that writing a good story is just about as easy as. well, one, two, three!

Presentation length: 45-60 minutes
Suggested audience: 4th grade and up

"Creating Characters Readers Care About!"

Would you like to read a book about a perfect person that has no problems? Of course not! That's boring. So how can you avoid the cardboard character when writing your own story? We'll learn about the character collage and the character interview - two tools that you can use to create characters that you - and your readers - care about. Reproducible handouts will be provided.

Presentation length: 60 minutes
Suggested audience: 4th grade and up

"The Case of the Boring Beginning"

How do you "hook" your readers right from the start of your story? We'll look at some examples, talk about what works - and what doesn't - then learn five ways to give any story a "strong start."
Presentation length: 60 minutes

Suggested audience: 5th grade and up

Presentations for Professionals

"Caring for Kids with Books"

It's a challenge for anyone who works with kids to help guide and support them in today's troubled times. Books are a non-threatening way to introduce tough - or tender --topics and open the lines of communication. The right book in the right hands at the right time can make the difference in the life of a child who may be feeling alone in his or her situation. This presentation will take a look at bibliotherapy, including the difference between niche books and trade market books, a look at resources for a wide range of topics, and real-life examples of how books can be used therapeutically. Handouts are included.

Presentation length: 60 minutes
Suggested audience: Educators, librarians, school counselors, clergy, mental-health professionals

"The Path to Publication: One Writer's Story"

So you want to write for children, but don't know where to start? You're not alone! I'll share what I've learned on my journey to publication, from advertising writer to school counselor to children's author - and how your own career path and life experiences have prepared you to write for children. . Learn how to plan your own journey, and what you need to pack in your writer's "suitcase." Handouts are included.

Presentation length: 60 minutes
Suggested audience: Educators, librarians, and anyone interested in writing for children.

My fees are as follows:

$350 half day (2 sessions),
$600 full day (4 sessions) anywhere in the greater St. Louis, MO area, or within 75 miles.

Bookings outside the greater St. Louis area (more than 75 miles) are always for a full day ($600) plus expenses, due to travel time.

Evening events (literacy nights, PTA/PTO meetings, book fairs, etc. up to 2 hours): $200 unless booked in conjunction with a full-day school visit, in which case the fee is $150.

Contact

Jeanie Franz Ransom
22 Winding Stair Way
O'Fallon, MO 63368

Phone (636} 544-1525

Email ransomink@pobox.com

Website: http://www.jeanieransom.com

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