Kelly DiPucchio facts for kids

Kelly DiPucchio (born March 7, 1967) is an American writer of children's books. DiPucchio was born in Warren, Michigan. She attended Michigan State University where she graduated in 1989 in child psychology and development. She currently lives in Detroit, Michigan. Her books have made the New York Times bestseller list.

Work

DiPucchio's first published work, Bed Hogs (2004), is about a piglet who is the runt of the litter and has no room to sleep at night.

The story, Grace for President (2008), was written after an editor's preschool girl asked why there were no women presidents of the United States. The story follows Grace, an African-American girl as she runs in a mock election at her school. Grace for President is a "helpful introduction to the electoral system and empowering story for girls," according to Booklist. The story has had a cultural effect in the U.S., where children have even dressed up as Grace for Halloween. The book was listed on The New York Times Best Seller list in 2008.

DiPucchio was also able to collaborate with Queen Rania Al Abdullah from Jordon in the book, The Sandwich Swap (2010).

Zombie in Love (2011) is a love story about a zombie, named Mortimer, who finally meets the girls of his dreams. Kirkus Reviews wrote that DiPucchio's writing was "loaded with humorous understatement." Zombie in Love has been turned into a stage play written by Michelle Elliot and with music by Danny Larsen.

Crafty Chloe: Dress-Up Mess-Up (2013)provides "insight into the creative process" according to Kirkus Reviews.

Gaston (2014), a story about a bulldog being accidentally raised by poodles in a comic baby-mix-up story brings up the concepts of nature versus nurture and also about difficult concepts such as assimilation and gender. Publishers Weekly called Gaston a blend of sweetness and style.

Two of DiPucchio's stories, were IRA Teachers' Choices Reading List awardees: Grace for President was selected in 2009 and Gaston was selected in 2015. Gaston was also selected as a 2015 Notable Children's Book for younger readers by the Association for Library Service to Children. In 2014, she was awarded the Gwen Frostic Award, granted by the Michigan Reading Association to an illustrator or author from the state who has helped promote literacy. Crafty Chloe won the 2012 NAPPA Gold Award in the category of Preschoolers & Up. The Sandwich Swap was approved by the 2010 Parents Choice Award. This book was co-written by Queen Rania al Abdullah of Jordon and appeared on The New York Times Best Seller list in 2010.