Bio:

Juanita Havill grew up in a small town in Southern Illinois on the Wabash River. Her favorite things were cats and horses and books. She still loves cats and horses although she has no cat or horse companions now. Instead, Winston is her canine companion. She still loves books, too, and lives in a house filled with them.

Since publication of JAMAICA'S FIND (illustrated by Anne Sibley O'Brien)in 1986, Juanita has written six other books featuring the popular main character, as well as many other picture books, middle grade novels, early chapter books, and numerous articles for children and adults.

Juanita began writing poems as a child and has had two books of her poetry published: I HEARD IT FROM ALICE ZUCCHINI, POEMS ABOUT THE GARDEN (illustrated by Christine Davenier) and GROW, A NOVEL IN VERSE (illustrated by Stanislawa Kodman). GROW won the 2009 Carol D. Reiser Children's Book Award and the 2009 Green Prize for Youth Fiction given by the Santa Monica Public Library.

Juanita teaches writing for children at Pima Community College in Tucson, Arizona; serves as a graduate advisor for Prescott College; and visits schools to talk about books and writing.

Writer
PAL
Member since 1985
Region: Arizona

Contact Information

Current Location:   Sonoita

Published In Children's Market: Yes
Available for Speaking Engagements? Yes