Children's Book Author-Illustrator
Events, Interviews, and Press
2023
JUNE
6/24/23 – Storytime at 10:30am at Interabang Books in Dallas, TX
APRIL
4/19/23 – Speaking with Beth Mills at TxLA's annual conference in Austin on Mentor Texts for Young Writers and Illustrators. Wed, 4/19 at 1:30pm in Ballroom C (ACC)
School visits in Keller and Howe, TX.
2022
SEPTEMBER
9/1/22 – SCBWI Featured Illustrator. Interview here.
2021
DECEMBER
12/4/21 – Book signing from 9-4 at the Texas Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in Corpus Christi, TX.
OCTOBER
10/16/21 – Book launch and signing for BARN AT NIGHT at 10:30am at Interabang Books in Dallas, TX
2020
APRIL
4/4/20 – Hedgehog Needs a Hug named Winner of Pennsylvania's Keystone to Reading Book Award in the preschool category!
4/4/20 –Event Canceled – Librarypalooza! I'm doing a workshop, illustrator sketch-off, and book signing at this library festival for Frisco ISD students and families. Lebanon Trail High School, 9am-1pm. https://sites.google.com/friscoisd.org/friscoisdlibrarypalooza/home
2019
NOVEMBER
11/17/19 – Book signing at Barnes and Noble in Southlake, TX with Nancy Churnin and Beth Mills. 2-4pm.
JUNE
6/1/19 – Dallas Festival of Books and Ideas – presentation and book signing at Dallas Public Library. Presentation at 11:45am in the Kahn Room. 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX. http://dallasbookfestival.org
MAY
5/11/19 – Illustrator sketch-off at Frisco Bookfest at the Frisco public library, followed by book signing at the author tables. Sketch-off at 1pm in the Council Chambers. 6101 Frisco Square Blvd. Frisco, TX. https://www.friscolibrary.com/friscobookfest
FEBRUARY
2/23/19 – Librarypalooza! I'm doing two workshops and a book signing at this library festival for Frisco ISD students and families. Centennial High School, 9am-12pm. https://sites.google.com/friscoisd.org/friscoisdlibrarypalooza/home
2018
DECEMBER
Lookout for SCBWI's Bulletin – I should be in their SCBWI Success Stories!
NOVEMBER
Thanks to the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) for naming TWILIGHT CHANT a 2019 Notable Poetry Book!
11/28/18 – 8pm EST join 20 debut authors and illustrators and Matthew Winner for a Twitter chat!
11/7/18 – Guest Blog Post with Pragmatic Mom (on my favorite kindness books)
JULY
Amazon Giveaway: copy of HEDGEHOG NEEDS A HUG!
Thanks to School Library Journal for the review of HEDGEHOG NEEDS A HUG! "Betton’s easy-to-read text works well with her realistic watercolor illustrations. She uses plenty of white space and varying perspectives to flesh out each scene. In addition, she cleverly manages to depict the animals realistically while they are talking and sporting perfect facial expressions... VERDICT This sweet tale of finding comfort in unexpected places can also be a conversation starter for discussions on fear, expectations, or sadness. Good for storytime or individual sharing." – School Library Journal
JUNE
6/30/18 – HEDGEHOG NEEDS A HUG Publication Party at 10:30am at Blue Bunny Books in Dedham, MA (near Boston)
6/25/18 – Book Signing at ALA (American Library Association) annual conference: 9-10am
6/23/18 – HEDGEHOG NEEDS A HUG Launch Party at 10:30am at Interabang Books in Dallas, TX
6/16/18 – Blog Interview with Vivian Kirkfield
6/15/18 – Blog Interview with KidLit 411
6/12/18 – Blog Interview with ReFoReMo (how I used mentor texts)
6/11/18 – Blog Interview with Melissa Stoller
6/18 – HEDGEHOG TRAILER reveal with Matthew Winner!
Goodreads Giveaway: signed copy of HEDGEHOG NEEDS A HUG!
MAY
5/18 – Blog Interview with Debbie Ohi at Inkygirl (finding the heart of the story)
5/18 – Blog Interview with Traci Sorell at Cynsations (challenges in writing/illustrating)
Thanks to Publisher's Weekly for the review of HEDGEHOG NEEDS A HUG! "Gentle and winsome... featuring expressive animal images that pop from white backdrops and are at once softly focused and realistic... in a sweet conclusion that amplifies the story’s directive to look beyond appearances and eschew stereotypes, Hedgehog finds his hug," – Publisher's Weekly
APRIL
4/22/18 – NESCBWI Conference (New England Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators): I will be presenting two workshops, one on color in storytelling and one called Illustrators Who Write: Giving Yourself a Job, which I'm co-presenting with Jannie Ho!
Thanks to Kirkus for the review of HEDGEHOG NEEDS A HUG! "Wordplay and engaging images are joined expertly to a theme of love and compassion" – Kirkus
MARCH
3/23/18– TWILIGHT CHANT Launch Party: 7pm at Porter Square Books, Cambridge, MA
ReFoReMo – Guest Blog Post
Feb-March: Blog post series on illustrating TWILIGHT CHANT: www.jenbetton.blogspot.com
Thanks to Booklist for the review of TWILIGHT CHANT! "The title suits the book well, as the words have a chant-like quality, and in the artwork, the sky gradually dims from radiant rose and gold hues to deepening shades of purple at nightfall... A lovely science picture book."
– Booklist
Thanks to School Library Journal for the review of TWILIGHT CHANT! "A visually and poetically beautiful title that sneaks in some animal facts as well. Perfect for storytime or individual sharing. A must-have for most libraries." – School Library Journal
Goodreads Giveaway: signed copy of TWILIGHT CHANT!
2017
Thanks to Kirkus for the review of TWILIGHT CHANT! "A lovely, lyrical visual and verbal exploration of the wonders of twilight." – Kirkus