WELCOME, FRIENDS!
I ALWAYS BEGIN MY STORIES WITH A QUESTION: WHAT IF?
Do you like to wonder that too?
BOOKS
What if a shy cat sings opera? What if an outside cat jumps inside? What if a tiny fish tries and tries to become magical? What if a boy loses every contest he enters—will he ever discover his true talent?
OPERA CAT
BY TESS WEAVER
ILLUSTRATED BY ANDREA WESSON
CLARION, 2002
2002
"A delightful star-is-born story. In first-time Weaver's exuberant tale, a quiet cat on an ordinary Saturday gets her moment in the sun." Starred review, Publishers Weekly
2002 and 2003 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Book Award
Winner of the 2003 New England Book Show Award: Juvenile Category
2003 Cat Writers' Association Award for Excellence
ENCORE, OPERA CAT!
BY TESS WEAVER
ILLUSTRATED BY ANDREA WESSON
CLARION, 2009
June 2009
The beloved duo of Alma and Madame SoSo return for Alma's debut in the spotlight. Will shy Alma have enough courage to take the stage? And what will Maestro think about a cat who sings about love?
"Ultimately a story about being yourself and following your dreams, this tuneful tale of musical triumph will strike a chord with cat lovers, music appreciators, and burgeoning individuals alike. Brava!" Kirkus Reviews
CAT JUMPED IN!
BY TESS WEAVER
ILLUSTRATED BY EMILY ARNOLD MCCULLY
CLARION, 2007
2007
When someone leaves the kitchen window open, Cat jumps in! So begins my tale of an outside cat who explores a tidy house and wreaks havoc in every room but doesn't mean to!
"Weaver and McCully offer an amusing twist on the saying, 'curiosity killed the cat,' with few words but lots of animated artwork that details the funny feline frenzy. . . . Human and feline foibles are spot-on with a purring finish: That 'someone' isn't seen until the last page." Starred review, Kirkus Reviews
Best Children's Books of the Year by Bank Street College of Education, 2008
Recommended for Reading and Language Arts by PBS Teachers
FREDERICK FINCH, LOUDMOUTH
BY TESS WEAVER
ILLUSTRATED BY DEBBIE TILLEY
CLARION, 2008
2008
Every year Frederick goes to the state fair and enters the contests. While his sister and parents always win ribbons, Frederick loses at everything: Turkey Calling, Checkers, even the Country Music contest. This rollicking story of Frederick's quest to win a prize captures the silly fun of state fairs and ends with a surprising and heartwarming twist.
"Forget about following your dreams and cultivating innate abilities. Read this book with Frederick's brio and it will pay for itself." Kirkus Reviews
FISHTASTIC!
A TALE OF MAGIC AND FRIENDSHIP
2021
All the trout at the Fishtastic Theater School can breathe out of water--except for Etta, the school's costume designer. No matter how hard she tries, Etta can't unlock her magic. When the theater troupe swims down the Iowa River to perform at Hancher Auditorium, Etta discovers something very important that they've left behind. Can Etta save the show even though she's not magical? Is there more than one way to unlock magic?
"A delightful picture book. Weaver's colorful imagination is illuminated by Reinhardt's witty details, trademark humor, and fanciful flourishes . . . . A special and beautiful book." Cedar Rapids Gazette, June 2021
"Explores the question of what makes magic and how we know whether we have it or not. . . . Pick this up for any 2-through 7-year olds in your life. It will become beloved." Little Village, August 2021
Interested in seeing more of my work? Please get in touch and I’ll be glad to share some more pieces with you.
ABOUT ME
Thanks so much for stopping by!
I've always loved stories and hope you do too. Writing children's books is my over-the-moon dream job. So many important things happen when you're young, and I remember many events of my childhood, including the books that meant so much to me. I hope my books will make you smile and bring you many moments of happiness.
I live in Iowa City with my sweet husband. My two sons are grown now and live only a car's drive away. My older son and his delightful wife had baby boy just last year (you can find his photo on this website). Now that I'm a grandmother, I am even more excited about creating books for young children.
Some of my stories went out of print two years ago. If you have trouble finding a title you'd like, please send me a message.
I am available for Skype presentations to children in classrooms. Please message me if you'd like to set up a time.
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WORKS IN PROGRESS
This was a silly drawing of a trout I attempted when I began writing Fishtastic!, published in spring of 2021. I just love this story and the oh-so-glorious illustrations by Jennifer Black Reinhartdt. It's such a good thing that I've never attempted to illustrate my own books.
In the meantime, I've recently finished revising a Halloween story about marbles, as well as a Halloween board book. And I've got a wonderful nonfiction biography picture book in the works that takes us back in time to Paris in the mid-1800s. I can't wait to share all of these with you!
Be well, friends, and keep reading!
CONTACT
"Life itself is the most wonderful fairy tale."