Hester Bass

Dreams do come true!
Hester Bass has wanted to be a children's author since first grade so, whatever your dream may be, her advice is: Never give up!

She writes early readers and picture books as well as middle grade and teen novels. Hester has appeared at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution/Decatur Book Festival, Alabama Bound: Celebrating Books and Authors, Alabama Book Festival, Southern Festival of Books, SCBWI-Southern Breeze Fall Writers Conference, Alabama Reading Association Conference, and she performs at schools and libraries. She'd love to come see you, too!

Hester's next project is a picture book biography of American artist, Walter Inglis Anderson, illustrated by the acclaimed E. B. Lewis and published by Candlewick Press in September 2009. The Secret World of Walter Anderson is the story of a man who risked everything to bring himself and nature into one thing called art. He lived on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, often rowing twelve miles of open water to reach Horn, an uninhabited barrier island, where he lived under his boat for weeks at a time so he could paint the wildlife there. Hester has studied his life and work for over 25 years, and has many anecdotes to share about this enigmatic artist. Hester will tour in support of this book - get on her calendar now!

Hester's first book, So Many Houses, was published in 2006 by Scholastic. It's a Rookie Reader® for ages 4-8 about the materials used to build houses across the globe. Bold and lively illustrations by Alik Arzoumanian make So Many Houses a colorful trip around the world. It's available in paperback or library binding. Click the link at the right to see the book.

An author visit by Hester Bass is a special occasion for learning while having fun. A storyteller, singer, and teacher, Hester helps children experience the wonder of words through original songs and art activities. As one librarian said, Hester can "encourage the most reluctant reader to read and the hesitant student to write." Click the link at the right to learn more.

Hester enjoys sharing what she's learned about writing for children through presentations and workshops at writers conferences. What makes a story memorable? What makes it publishable? Hester will share her secrets! Click the link at the right for more information.

If you have questions, or want to bring Hester Bass to your town, scroll down to the Quick Links (on the left, below the book cover) and click on E-mail Hester Bass!

Thank you for visiting!