Children's Book Author-Illustrator
PRESS KIT
Here you will be able to find Jen's book covers, bios, event kits and other press information. To download/save images, click on the photo to open the hi-res JPG, then right-click or control-click to see the option to Save Image.
BOOK COVERS
BIOGRAPHY
Jen Betton began her illustration career in kindergarten when she got into trouble for drawing presents on a coloring page of Santa. Since then she has created the picture books HEDGEHOG NEEDS A HUG, her debut as an author-illustrator, published with Putnam (winner of Pennsylvania's Keystone to Reading Book Award) and TWILIGHT CHANT, written by Holly Thompson, published with Clarion (a NCTE Notable Book). She also illustrated BARN AT NIGHT, written by Michelle Houts and published with Feeding Minds Press.
She has a BA in English from Grove City College, a BFA in Painting from the University of Central Florida, and an MFA in Illustration from Syracuse University. She also taught illustration and animation as an art professor for many years.
Her awards include third place and honorable mention in Children's Market in the Society of Illustrators Los Angeles, a SCBWI national mentorship award, and the portfolio grand prize at New England's SCBWI conference.
Jen currently lives in the greater Dallas area, chasing her munchkins and making books. You can see more of her work on her website, www.jenbetton.com, as well as on Twitter and Instagram @jenbetton.
AWARDS
• Pennsylvania's Keystone to Reading Award winner: HEDGEHOG NEEDS A HUG
• Magnolia Award Finalist: HEDGEHOG NEEDS A HUG
• NCTE Notable Poetry Book: TWILIGHT CHANT
• Society of Illustrators West: Third place award in Children's Market
• Society of Illustrators West: Honorable mention in Children's Market
• SCBWI Brazos Valley Portfolio Grand Prize
• SCBWI New England Portfolio Grand Prize
• SCBWI National Conference Illustration Portfolio Mentorship Award
INTERVIEWS
Brightly: Being an Illustrator - Link
School Library Journal Studio Spotlight - Link
Tara Lazar/Storystorm: Creating Characters with Inherent Conflict - Link
Pragmatic Mom: 9 Picture Books about Kindness and Compassion - Link
ReFoReMo: Using Mentor Texts for Emotive Language - Link
Matthew Winner: Book Trailer Premier - Link
KitLit 411: Journey to Publication - Link
Inkygirl: Creative Process, Finding the Heart of the Story - Link
Vivian Kirkfield: Why I Write for Children - Link
Melissa Stoller: 3 Question Interview - Link
Simply7: My Name Twin Interviews Me - Link
CritterLit: Interview on Process - Link
Cynsations: New Voices, New Visions - Link
Book Trailer: Hedgehog Needs a Hug - Link
School Library Journal Studio Spotlight - Link
Book Trailer: Barn at Night - Link
Book Trailer: Twilight Chant - Link