BIO

​

Jen Betton is a children’s book author-illustrator, art professor, and transatlantic tree-climber. Her picture books include HEDGEHOG NEEDS A HUG, her debut as an author-illustrator, published with Putnam (winner of Pennsylvania's Keystone to Reading Book Award, finalist for Mississippi’s Magnolia Award) and TWILIGHT CHANT, written by Holly Thompson, published with Clarion (a NCTE Notable Book).

Jen grew up with 5 dogs, 6 cats, 2 rabbits, 4 hamsters, 2 rats, 2 anole lizards who escaped almost immediately, and several hundred fish. Her family was semi-nomadic; she lived in 17 different homes in 8 different states (Pennsylvania and Massachusetts twice, California three times). She also lived on the island of Montserrat in the West Indies, which is small enough that pretty much everyone knew her name. She grew up with a love for animals, a taste for adventure, and a firm understanding of the importance of friends – all of which are themes in her work! 


During her travels, she obtained a BA in English from Grove City College, a BFA in Painting from the University of Central Florida, and an MFA in Illustration from Syracuse University, where she got her start as a professor. She taught illustration and animation for many years, which gave her a great appreciation for cinematic shot design in narrative storytelling.

She loves painting foxes, cute rodents, and anything with interesting lighting, especially night scenes. Currently, her wandering feet are resting in Dallas, TX, accompanied by 2 munchkins, 2 cats, 50 or so fish and an overabundance of shrimp.