Bethany Barton | |
|---|---|
| Author & Illustrator Bethany Barton | |
| Born | 1982 (age 42–43) Chicago, Illinois |
| Pen name | bethany bARTon |
| Occupation | Author, illustrator, artist |
| Period | 2006-present |
| Genre | Children's picture books |
| Spouse | Michael Barton |
| Website | |
| www | |
Bethany Barton is an author and illustrator of children's books, [1] [2] [3] as well as an Emmy-nominated Propmaster [4] for film & TV. Barton's books combine colorful illustrations, humor, science communication and storytelling that aims to make STEAM-related topics enjoyable for kids. [5]
Barton's 2015 book I’m Trying To Love Spiders (Viking/Penguin) garnered numerous awards and starred reviews, including the 2016 Children's Book Council's Children's Choice Award 3rd/4th Grade Book of The Year. [6] [7] Her 2017 book Give Bees A Chance (Viking/Penguin) was a 2017 SCIBA Award finalist, [8] was listed in Scripps National Spelling Bee “Great Words, Great Works,” [9] and was featured in the New York Times. [10] Her books have been translated into four languages. [11] Her 2019 book, I'm Trying to Love Math, was named an Amazon Best Book of 2019 [12] and I'm Trying To Love Rocks (Viking/Penguin), hit stores in June 2020 with starred reviews. [13] [14] [15] I'm Trying To Love Germs (Viking/Penguin) was published in November 2023 with School Library Journal calling it "a first purchase for any collection" in a starred review. [16]
As well as illustrating her own stories, Barton has illustrated for other authors, including Todd Hasak-Lowy's middle grade novel 33 Minutes (Simon & Schuster). [17] She often spends several weeks of the year touring; doing school visits, speaking to authors and educators, and sharing her stories and creativity with young readers at schools and libraries across the globe. [18] [19] [20]
Barton's career includes work in the art, prop, and set decoration departments for film & TV. In 2023, she was nominated for a Children's & Family Emmy in the category of Puppet Design & Styling for her work on The Muppets Mayhem. [21] Notable projects include ABC Network's The Muppets, The Middle, Westworld, Obi-Wan Kenobi, The Muppets Mayhem, and Black-ish, as well as movies like Bumblebee, and various commercials. [22] [23] She is represented by Writers House LLC. [24]
In 2023, Bethany became a co-founder of the non-profit DopaMind, an organization created to "help young people navigate tech in the digital age." [25] [26]
Third Grade to Fourth Grade Book of the Year Finalists - Winner - I'm Trying To Love Spiders - By: Bethany Barton
Great Works for Second Grade: .... Give Bees a Chance, Bethany Barton...
Bethany Barton, Co-Founder & Treasurer
And the 2018 winner is...I'm Trying to Love Spiders by Bethany Barton