Meet Chicago Children’s Author Andrea Beaty

This week is Children's Book Week, but at CPL we celebrate the joy of books every day. We'll be featuring a different Chicago children's author each month to spread that joy.

I'd like to introduce to you one of my favorite Chicago authors, Andrea Beaty.

When I think about Andrea Beaty's books, the words "rollicking," "hilarious" and "pure fun" run through my head. I can't tell you which of her books to try first. I just can't do it. Instead, I'll recommend when to read her books.

When your teacher wants you to read a STEM book, check out the funny drawings and silly word play in these picture books:

Iggy Peck, Architect was the first book of hers I read, and yes, it was totally the "great tower" built "in only an hour" that caught my attention.

But, it was little Miss Rosie Revere, Engineer that held it. I love Rosie. She's got that can-do spirit and a hungry curiosity that just flies off the page.

And now there's Ada Twist, Scientist, a girl who just "nose" how to solve a problem—is there a better way to learn the scientific method? I think not.

When you're thinking about a summer job, and you want to "try it on:"

Call Firefighter Ted, Dr. Ted or Artist Ted. Written for the preschool crowd, all three follow Ted from home to school and back again as he successfully pretends to be a fireman, a doctor and an artist. At home, Ted and his family's pretend play works well, but at school, Ted's imagination shines. When Principal Bingham gets himself into trouble, Ted's quick thinking saves the day.

When you have relatives coming to visit, and you're afraid they just might stay:

Sometimes older relatives have to move in and can kind of cramp your style, especially if you're a magician like Robbie. But many clouds have a silver lining. In Dorko the Magnificent, Robbie really has to search for it in Grandma Melvyn, but he soon learns she is a little bit magic herself.

When you've been sent to summer camp, and the Earth is being invaded by space aliens:

Thanks to Kevin and Joules, SmellyCat (three campers named Sam, Ellie and Cat) and Nelson, I now know what to do in case of alien invasion, particularly close encounters of the fuzzy kind. Of course, my plans might not work—they might not even be necessary—but reading Attack of the Fluffy Bunnies and Fluffy Bunnies 2 will at least be a great way to distract myself! Might I add that these books are awesomely illustrated by the great Dan Santat.

I'd love to hear what your favorite Andrea Beaty book is! Let me know in the comments.