Jennifer Ward is an award-winning author of picture books and parenting books with more than 800,000 books in print. Her work is the recipient of the International Reading Association/Children’s Book Council Children’s Choice Award, the Giverny Award for best nonfiction picture book, a Teacher’s Choice Award, among other honors. 

Jennifer is also the recipient of the Judy Goddard/Libraries Limited Award for her body of work and contribution to Southwestern children’s literature. 

 

Jennifer earned her BA from the University of Arizona in Education and taught elementary education in Tucson, Arizona.  With a classroom overflowing with children’s literature, she knew she wanted to write her own books some day.  Author Byrd Baylor visited the school where Jennifer was teaching and from this personal author visit, Jennifer decided to finally pursue publication of her own work.  Soon after, WAY OUT IN THE DESERT, Jennifer’s first published book, was accepted and under contract by the very first publishing house Jennifer targeted. Since its publication in 1998, Jennifer has published twenty-one books for children and adults and plans to publish many more.  Her books have been translated into many languages and featured on National television and radio.

Jennifer Ward