Eileen Spinelli
Eileen Spinelli (née Mesi; born August 16, 1942) is an American author of children's books and poetry. Biography. She was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She wanted to be a writer from a young age. She grew up in Secane, Pennsylvania attended high school in Rose Valley, Pennsylvania. She won a poetry writing contest when she was in high school. She began writing for children in 1979, when her own children were older and more independent. She writes both prose and in poetry. Most of her books are picture books, but she has also written novels for children . Her husband is author Jerry Spinelli. They met while working for a magazine company: she in circulation; he as an editor. They have six children. Awards and reception. "Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch" received a Christopher Award. "Kirkus Reviews" gave starred reviews to her books "When You Are Happy", "Heat Wave", "In Our Backyard Garden", "Sophie's Masterpiece", "Three Pebbles and a Song", and "Cold Snap"". Cold Snap" was also named one of the best children's books of 2012 by "Kirkus Reviews". "Here Comes the Year", "Three Pebbles for a Song", "The Dancing Pancake", "Night Shift Daddy", "When Mama  Comes Home Tonight," and "Song for the Whooping Crane" received starred reviews from "Publishers Weekly". "When No One is Watching" received a starred review from "School Library Journal". "Miss Fox's Class Goes Green" received the Green Book Award in the picture book's category in 2010. Selected works. As contributor. "Lullaby and Kisses Sweet: Poems to Love With Your Baby" (Abrams Appleseed, 2005). Edited by Lee Bennett Hopkins ; illustrated by Alyssa Nassner.