John Steven GurneyAuthor and Illustrator
John Steven Gurney
Author and Illustrator
John Steven Gurney is the author and illustrator of Dinosaur Train, and the illustrator of over 100 books for children, including all of the titles in The Bailey School Kids and The A to Z Mysteries series of books.
He grew up in Bucks County Pennsylvania. He studied art at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, and drew caricatures on the boardwalk in Atlantic City, NJ during the summers. He lived in NYC until 1997, when he moved to Brattleboro, Vermont where he currently lives with his wife and two children.
Published Books - Written and Illustrated by John Steven Gurney
Dinosaur Train by John Steven Gurney (Author) Reading level: Ages 4-8 Edition: Hardcover 32 pages ; Publisher: Harpercollins Juvenile Books; (September 17, 2002)
ISBN: 0060292458
Editorial Reviews
From Booklist Jesse takes a fanciful ride on a train full of dinosaurs in a daydream inspired by his favorite interests: "Trains and dinosaurs. Dinosaurs and trains." Jesse climbs aboard the train on a huge, spiked tail (the tail belongs to a giant purple engineer, appropriately clad in overalls and cap). The passengers on the train would be right at home on Amtrak (the little old lady, the conductor in uniform and spectacles, business folk reading the paper, and travelers in jeans and T-shirts), except for the fact that they happen to be dinosaurs of all sizes and colors, their long necks and tails poking from every open window. When the train goes through a tunnel, they all must duck, and when they rush to one side to check out a volcano, they tip over the train. The Day-Glo bright colors, very simple text and the dinos' hilariously goofy facial expressions will attract many young train and dinosaur aficionados; they'll appeal to plenty of other picture-book fans, too. Diane Foote Copyright American Library Association. All rights reserved
From School Library Journal
... the brilliantly colored and lovingly detailed illustrations, that will stay with young readers and probably spark many requests for bedtime repetitions.Marian Drabkin, formerly at Richmond Public Library, CAA new series entitled Big Apple Barn, published by Scholastic
 Illustrated by John Steven Gurney, Kristin Earhart author, Reading level: Ages 4-8 Mass Market Paperback: 96 pages Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks (August 1, 2007) ISBN-10: 0439900964 ISBN-13: 978-0439900966 It's Happy Go Lucky's first time riding in a show! He and Dapper Dan, a very professional show pony, will both be there. Dan loves showing, but Happy isn't so sure about it. It's an awful lot of work. He has so much practicing to do! New places can be scary, and Happy isn't sure what to expect at the show. But with his favorite rider, Ivy, by his side, Happy is going to do the best he can. It's showtime! *Bonus glossary of terms included! |  Illustrated by John Steven Gurney, Kristin Earhart author, Reading level: Ages 4-8 Paperback: 96 pages Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks (November 1, 2007) ISBN-10: 0545017742 ISBN-13: 978-0545017749 Happy Go Lucky is excited to share a holly-jolly Christmas with all of his friends. But then Roscoe overhears some bad news. Happy might be sold to a new owner! Would Diane really let someone take him away? Happy and his friends aren't about to wait around and find out. They're going to do whatever they can to keep this holiday merry and bright --- and that means keeping Happy at Big Apple Barn! |
|
|  illustrated by John Steven Gurney, Kristin Earhart author,Reading level: Ages 4-8 Paperback: 96 pages Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks (May 1, 2007) ISBN 0439900956 Just when Happy Go Lucky is starting to feel at home at Big Apple Barn, everything changes. There is a new pony in the barn: Sassafras Surprise, otherwise known as Sassy. Everyone wants to learn more about her. Suddenly, Happy's friends are not around as much. They're all spending time with Sassy, instead! Even worse, Sassy doesn't seem interested in being friends with Happy at all. What's a pony to do |
The Bailey School Kids series
 Abominable Snowmen Dont Roast Marshmallows by Marcia Thornton, Debbie Dadey, John Gurney (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 9-12 Paperback: 96 pages Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks (March 1, 2005) ISBN: 0439650372 |  Werewolves Dont Run For President by Marcia Thornton, Debbie Dadey, John Gurney (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 9-12 Paperback: 96 pages Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks (October 1, 2004) ISBN: 0439650364 |
 Dracula Doesnt Play Kick Ball by Debbie Dadey, Marcia T. Jones, John Gurney (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 9-12 Paperback: 80 pages Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks (June 1, 2004) ISBN: 0439560004 |  Frankenstein Doesnt Start Food Fightsby Debbie Dadey, Marcia T. Jones, John Gurney (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 9-12 Paperback: 80 pages Publisher: Scholastic (October 1, 2003) ISBN: 0439559995 |
 Ogres Dont Hunt Easter Eggs by Debbie Dadey, Marcia T. Jones, John Gurney (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 9-12 Paperback: 96 pages Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks (February 1, 2004) ISBN: 0439408342 |  Mrs. Claus Doesn't Climb Telephone Poles by Debbie Dadey, Marcia Jones, John Steven Gurney, (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 9-12 Paperback: 96 pages Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks; (October 2002) ISBN: 0439408326 |
 Aliens Don't Carve Jack-O-Lanterns by Debbie Dadey, Marcia Jones, John Steven Gurney (Illustrator), Reading level: Ages 9-12 Paperback: 96 pages Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks; (September 2002) ISBN: 0439408318 |  Sea Serpents Don'tJuggle Water Balloons by Debbie Dadey,Marcia Jones, John Steven Gurney, (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 9-12 Paperback: 96 pages Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks; (September 2002) ISBN: 0439368057 |
 LeprachaunsDon't Play Fetch by Marcia Jones, Debbie Dadey, John Steven Gurney, (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 9-12 Paperback: 96 pages Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks; (February 2003) ISBN: 0439408334 |
|
 Swampmonsters Don't Chase Wild Turkeys by Debbie Dadey, Marcia Jones, John Steven Gurney, (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 9-12 Paperback: 96 pages (October 2001) Scholastic Paperbacks; ISBN: 0439333385 |  The Bride of Frankenstein Doesn't Bake Cookies by Debbie Dadey, Marcia Jones, John Steven Gurney, (Illustrator) Reading level:Ages 9-12 Paperback Paperback: 96 pages (Nov. 2000) Little Apple; ISBN: 0439044006 |
 Sea Monsters Don't Ride Motorcycles by Debbie Dadey, Marcia Jones, John Steven Gurney, (Illustrator), Reading level: Ages 9-12 Paperback: 96 pages (July 2000) Little Apple; ISBN: 0439044014 |  Dracula Doesn't Rock and Roll by Debbie Dadey, Marcia Jones, John Steven Gurney, (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 9-12 Paperback: 96 pages (January 2000) Little Apple; ISBN: 0439043999 |
 Robots Don't Catch Chicken Pox by Debbie Dadey, Marcia Jones, John Steven Gurney, (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 9-12 Paperback: 96 pages (May 2001) Little Apple; ISBN: 043921582X |  Snow Monster Mystery by Debbie Dadey, Marcia Jones, John Steven Gurney, (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 9-12 Paperback: 96 pages (Dec 1999)Scholastic Paperbacks; ISBN: 0439058732 |
 Dragons Don't Throw Snowballs by Marcia Thornton Jones, Debbie Dadey John Steven Gurney, (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 4-8 Paperback: 80 pages Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks (March 1, 2006) ISBN: 0439793378 |  Mrs. Jeeper's Monster Class Trip by Debbie Dadey, Marcia Jones, John Steven Gurney, (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 9-12 Paperback: 96 pages(Feb 2001) Little Apple; ISBN: 0439215854 |
To visit The Bailey School Kids website, click here.
http://baileykids.com/
Published Books - A to Z Mysteries series illustrated by John Steven Gurney
Mayflower Treasure Hunt by Ron Roy (Author), John Steven Gurney (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 9-12 Paperback: 128 pages Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (August 28, 2007)
ISBN-10: 0375839372 ISBN-13: 978-0375839375
DINK, JOSH, AND RUTH ROSE are spending Thanksgiving in Plymouth, Massachusetts. They can't wait to see the sights and have a Thanksgiving dinner just like the Pilgrims would have eaten. Then the kids learn about a sapphire necklace that went missing on the real Mayflower. Could the 400-year-old treasure be hidden somewhere nearby? This exciting extension to the A to Z Mysteries chapter book series features more pages, favorite characters, a more complex plot, and a 26-letter message hidden in the art.
Detective Camp by Ron Roy John Steven Gurney (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 4-8 Paperback: 144 pages Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (May 9, 2006)
ISBN: 0375835342
Dink, Josh, And Ruth Rose are back! This time, they’re off to a camp for detectives! The camp directors have set up a week of lessons in forensics and fun mysteries for the campers to solve. The kids are following the planned clues when they stumble upon a real crime. This exciting extension to the A to Z Mysteries chapter book series features favorite characters, a longer plot, alphabet clues, and a 26-letter message hidden in the art.
“I will be so sad when I have read Z, and there will be no more Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose.”—Jack P.
“I think if you’re not that busy, you could do every letter again.”—Abigail D.
With the publication of The Zombie Zone in April 2005, the A to Z Mysteries series was complete. But, A to Z fans, no need to fear . . . the A to Z Mysteries Super Editions are here! The fans wanted more, and they’re getting it—more adventure, more illustrations, more Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose—all in a book nearly double the length of standard A to Z Mysteries. The alphabet may be finished, but A to Z fun keeps on coming!
 The Talking T. Rex by Ron Roy, John Steven Gurney (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 9-12 Paperback: 96 pages Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (June 24, 2003) ISBN: 0375813691 |  The Unwilling Umpire by Ron Roy, John Steven Gurney (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 4-8 Paperback: 112 pages Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (February 24, 2004) ISBN: 0375813705 |
 The Vampire's Vacation by Ron Roy, John Steven Gurney (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 9-12 Paperback: 96 pages Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (July 27, 2004) ISBN: 0375824790 |  The White Wolf by Ron Roy, John Steven Gurney (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 4-8 Paperback: 96 pages Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (November 23, 2004) ISBN: 0375824804 |
 The X'ed-Out X-Rayby Ron Roy John Steven Gurney (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 4-8 Paperback: 96 pages Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (February 22, 2005) ISBN: 0375824812 |  The Yellow Yachtby Ron Roy John Steven Gurney (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 9-12 Paperback: 96 pages Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (March 22, 2005) ISBN: 0375824820 |
 The Zombie Zoneby Ron Roy, John Steven Gurney (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 4-8 Paperback: 96 pages Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (April 26, 2005) ISBN: 0375824839 |  The Missing Mummy by Ron Roy, John Steven Gurney (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 4-8 Library Binding (February 27, 2001) Publisher Random Library; ISBN: 0375902686 Paperback - ISBN: 0375802681 |
 The Ninth Nugget by Ron Roy, John Steven Gurney (Illustrator) Reading level:Ages 4-8 Library Binding (June 26, 2001) Random Library; ISBN: 0375902694 Paperback - ISBN: 037580269X |  The Kidnapped King by Ron Roy, John Steven Gurney (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 4-8 Library Binding - 96 pages (June 27, 2000) Random Library; ISBN: 0679994599 Paperback - ISBN: 0679894594 | |
 The Lucky Lottery by Ron Roy, John Gurney (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 4-8 Library Binding - 96 pages (November 28, 2000) Random Library; ISBN: 0679994602 |
| |
 The Jaguar's Jewel by Ron Roy, John Steven Gurney (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 4-8 Random Library Library Binding - 96 pages (February 2000) ISBN: 0679994580 Paperback - ISBN: 0679894586 |  The School Skeletonby Ron Roy, John Steven Gurney (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 4-8 Publisher: Random House Library Binding 96 pages (Feb, 2003) ISBN: 0375913688 Paperback:(January 2003) ISBN: 0375813683 | |
| ||
Other Published Books
Chatterbox: The Bird Who Wore Glasses by Michael E. Uslan, John Steven Gurney, Illustrator Reading level: All Ages Hardcover: 40 pages Publisher: ee publishing & productions, inc.; Book & CD edition (December 1, 2005)
ISBN: 0975384325
A funny, spirited, and heart-felt bird's tale about a lonely child who comes out of her shell when a very near-sighted, talking parakeet swoops into her life. Told in Dr. Suess-style rhyme, this story of a girl and her bird shows how very special the relationship between a pet and a child can be. As a special bonus, this book includes an audio CD reading o f the story, along with two special songs, read and sung by actress Brittney Murphy. Printed on premium paper and encased in a matte dust- jacket, the Chatterbox features watercolor and ink illustrations from renowned children's book artist John Steven Gurney.
The Meanest Hound Around by John Gurney (Illustrator), Carol Wallace (Author), Bill Wallace (Author) Reading level: Ages 9-12 Edition: Hardcover 160 pages ; Publisher: Simon & Schuster (Juv); (February 2003) 
ISBN: 0743437853
Who could have guessed that I, fluffy Freddie, would engineer the great escape for my newfound friend, Spike? Or that all we went through, to find our freedom, would be threatened when Tiger's evil master sets out to hunt us down? Or that we'd need the help of the Meanest Hound Around to protect our new friends?
Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal A story to melt the heart of the most reluctant reader, this tale features Freddie, an appealing canine narrator who tells of being loved by his boy, but abandoned by his boy's father. Wet, miserable, cold, and frightened, he comes upon a junkyard run by two bullies, one human and one canine. He befriends Spike, forced to be a watchdog there, helps him escape, and the two begin a series of encounters with hostile geese and ferocious coyotes before finding a happy home. The plot unfolds at a steady pace, and the ample dialogue lends immediacy to the story. Black-and-white illustrations, one or two per chapter, capture some of the canines' terrifying adventures and the tale's joyful resolution. For early readers who like animal stories, this one is a good choice. Cynde Suite, formerly at Horry County Memorial Library, Surfside Beach, SC Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Bub Moose by Carol Wallace, Bill Wallace, John Steven Gurney (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 9-12 Paperback - 128 pages (August 2001) Minstrel Books; 
ISBN: 0743406370
You think it's easy being a moose?
Think again! Even though I'm big, I'm just a baby. I love my mother and my friends. Like Dudley, the beaver, who named me. And Snow, the little wolf, who loves to play tag. His family's another matter. What really scares me is people. Mother said they're the most dangerous creatures in the forest. I certainly didn't want to meet them....
Snow and I are young, so naturally we're curious. One day we were playing tag...and ran into a schoolyard by mistake! (Okay... we didn't run -- we fell!) Right smack in the middle of all these strange animals, weird buildings, and terrifying machines. Yoweeee! Did we ever learn a lesson there.
Chomps, Flea, and The Gray Cat (That's Me)
by Carol Wallace, Bill Wallace, John Steven Gurney (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 9-12 - 96 pages (October 2001) Minstrel Books;
ISBN: 0671038311
Paperback - (January 2001) ISBN: 0671038303
I need this puppy like I need more rats in the barn!
Jealous? Me?
Well...maybe a little. My people got a new white puppy named Chomps. That's because he bites at everything, especially flies. What could a gray cat -- me -- want with a Scottish terrier, anyway? The little nipper got into some trouble with the big rats in the barn. It was partly my fault. So...I had to save him. Problem is, now I can't get rid of him. What am I supposed to do with a dog who's determined to get himself into trouble?
When my mockingbird pal, Flea, came home for the spring, I thought she could help me train the little furball. But all she wants to do is build her nest. Chomps needs to learn how to hunt. But how can I teach a dumb dog that an opossum is not a rat, and a skunk is not a kitty? Even worse, how can I keep him from turning Mama's fancy new car into a muddy mess? Nothing but trouble. I just thought I knew what trouble was. But now Mama is in danger...This is serious. Talk about trouble...
Upchuck and the Rotten Willy : Running Wild by Bill Wallace, John Steven Giemey (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 9-12 Hardcover - 112 pages (October 3, 2000) Minstrel Books; 
ISBN: 0743400267
Paperback ISBN: 0743400275
BASEBALL FEVER!
It's not so bad living a dog's life. Unless you're a cat.
Most times, hanging out with Rotten Willy (the huge dog on the cover) was cool. We played chase, talked, and chowed down on spaghetti and meatballs at Luigi's restaurant. Even though he was a dog (and sometimes called me Upchuck instead of Chuck), I could handle it. He was my best friend.
Then this baseball stuff started and Willy went bonkers. I never saw him act so crazy. On top of that, these two new cats moved into our neighborhood. Trouble was, tough-guy Roscoe and his cute fuzzy sister, Rikki, did not like dogs.
Dogs belong with dogs and cats belong with cats, they said.
I was showing them the sights when I suddenly spied the dogcatcher, just waiting to trap Willy as he raced across the field with a baseball in his mouth. But Roscoe and Rikki would never understand if they found out my best friend was a dog. How could I save Willy before it was too late? What's a cat to do when he has to choose between old friends and new -- and there's no time to lose...
Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal Chuck, a cat, and Willy, a rottweiler, make a return appearance. Here, Chuck, aka Upchuck, finds himself torn between Willy and the two new cats that just moved into town. Chuck's new feline friends do not like dogs and do not want to befriend a cat that hangs out with them. Chuck has a crisis of character but ultimately decides to remain friends with Willy, who is loyal and not judgmental. In the end, things work out for these unlikely companions. Some baseball action is included. This story enforces the dangers and circumstances of prejudices and biases. It will find an audience among fans of the first two "Upchuck" books.-Barb Lawler, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
Night Before Christmas [ABRIDGED] by Clement Clarke Moore, John Steven Gurney (Illustrator), James Marshall (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback (October 1995) Scholastic Trade;
ISBN: 059042758X
Over the River and Through the Woods
by John Steven Gurney (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 4-8 Paperback (October 1992) Scholastic Trade; An illustrated version of the well-known text describing the joys of a Thanksgiving visit to grandmother's house.
The Hog Call to End All by Suann Kiser, John Steven Gurney (Illustrator)
ASIN: 0531086763
A hilarious and colorful visit to a Country Fair tells how Minvera, who hopes that her hog Tillie will win the blue ribbon, takes part in the Hog-Calling Contest, where her amazing call leads to a crazy and chaotic finale.
Editorial Reviews
From Horn Book Young Minerva enters the Hog Calling Contest at the County Fair, and her record-setting bellowing causes her pig, Tillie, to burst from the barn all the way at the other end of the fairgrounds and run hudding . . . and . . . snorting and gruntingin answer to the call. Animated, boldly colored oil paintings lend additional vigor to the amusing yarn. -- Copyright 1995 The Horn Book, Inc. All rights reserved.
On The Farm (My First Reader)
by Kirsten Hall (Author), John Steven Gurney Reading level: Ages 4-8 Paperback: 32 pages Publisher: Children's Press (CT) (March 2005)
ISBN-10: 0516251155
ISBN-13: 978-0516251158
Young children wil love larning to read with these storybooks. Once they can recognize and identify the words used to tell each story, the will be able to successfully read on their own. Features a word list.
P
resentationsJohn Steven Gurney likes to discuss how an illustration tells a story. His presentations reveal his own process as an author and illustrator, and also explores the visual tools that any illustrator uses to create an effective illustration. His slide show is as humorous as it is informative, as it spans the years from his childhood drawings through his development as a professional illustrator. Students of all ages enjoy seeing the photographs of his family and friends posing for the over 100 books that he has illustrated. He adapts his presentations for the age of his audience, and caps off every presentation by drawing a caricature of someone from the audience.
John also presents small, fun workshops in cartoon drawing that can be adapted for kids of any age.
John prefers no more than 4 large presentations a day, but you can fill your day up by scheduling cartooning workshops in between the presentations. His fee is $ 925 per day plus travel expenses, or $ 700 if your within 90 minutes of his home in Brattleboro, Vermont.
Learn more at: www.johnstevengurney.comJohn Steven Gurney
710 Western Ave.
Brattleboro, VT 05301
Phone (802)258-2654
mailto:johnsgurney@comcast.net
To return to State page click HERE. 07/15/08 date last edited
