About Erica

Erica S. Perl is an award-winning children's book author.

Here are some juicy details of her life:

She grew up in Burlington, Vermont.

She is now based in Washington, DC.

She writes picture books, novels, and waaaaay too many emails.     

Her middle grade novel, When Life Gives You O.J. was named a 2012 Syndey Taylor Notable Book for Older Readers and was selected by Amazon editors as an Amazon Best Book of the Month for June, 2011.  Which is fabulous - seriously! - though she hastens to urge you to support your friendly neighborhood independent bookstore.

When Life Gives You O.J. has been nominated for the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award!  Which is awesome because it is the Vermont State Book Award for middle grade books and Vermont kids choose the winner! 

When Life Gives You O.J. has also been nominated for the Rhode Island Children's Book Award.  (Did you know Erica lived in Rhode Island before moving to Vermont?  It's true!).  Kids read and vote for this award, too.  Tom Angleberger's Origami Yoda won last year, so clearly the kids of Rhode Island have great taste.

Erica's picture books include:

Dotty, illustrated by Julia Denos,  ("PERFECT PERFECT PERFECT!" - planetesme.com), Barnes and Noble featured back-to-school book. 

Chicken Bedtime is Really Early, illustrated by George Bates (starred review, Booklist)

Chicken Butt!, illustrated by Henry Cole (The laugh-out-loud, read-it-again hit, which is now a doll, too). 

Chicken Butt's Back!, illustrated by Henry Cole ("Fans of Chicken Butt are going to love this sequel!" - School Library Journal), Barnes and Noble featured "Spring Fever" choice.

Ninety-three In My Family, illustrated by Mike Lester  (Reuben Award, Slate's Best Books of the year, Booksense Pick).

Her novels include: Vintage Veronica (best for 12 and up!), and When Life Gives You O.J. (for 8-12 year olds). 

Erica has presented her work to the educators at conferences including the National Council of Teachers of English, the National Head Start Association and Shenandoah University's Children's Literature Conference. She has also led workshops for literacy organizations including The Reading Connection, Turning the Page and ReadBoston. A crowd-pleasing presenter to children of all ages, she has also done author visits at schools and libraries across the United States and in Europe. In addition to writing books, Erica works at First Book, the groundbreaking non-profit organization that has provided over 90 million brand new books to children in need. 

Want to read reviews, watch book trailers, buy books and connect with Erica?  You've come to the right place!