Joy Cowley began to write for children as a way to help her son with his reading. Since then, she has written over 400 books for early readers, including the Boston Globe/Horn Book winner Red-Eyed Tree Frog, Mrs. Wishy-Washy, Big Moon Tortilla, and Gracias, The Thanksgiving Turkey. Her latest title is Chameleon, Chameleon, which is a follow-up to the Red-Eyed Tree Frog. She currently writes for both adults and children.

In grade school, Joy was struggled with reading. However, when she discovered the adventures found in books, she “forgot” that she couldn’t read. “By the age of 11, I was a book addict who haunted the local library,” says Joy. “And like all children who over-dose on reading, I penned the overflow. Writing too, became an addiction.”

She married a farmer when she was twenty-years-old, lived on a dairy farm and raised four children. “During those years I milked cows, changed diapers, made puppets and play dough and wrote short stories in the evenings.” Joy states. An editor in New York read one of those stories, reprinted in Short Story International. That query led to five novels for adults. She was also writing stories for her son Edward, who was a slow reader. These little stories made their way to other children, other schools and by the early 1970s, teachers were making “big books” from them to use with their students. “Can you get these stories published?” they asked.

Joy is still writing full-time. These days the creative hours are divided between adult writing — articles, spiritual reflection material, stories and novels — and books for children.

Joy Cowley lives in New Zealand with her family.

Visit Joy Cowley's Web site.

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  The Scholastic Store

  Chameleon, Chameleon by Joy Cowley and Nic Bishop Experience close-up the many moods (and colors) of chameleons. One brave chameleon ventures from the safety of his tree in search of a new home. On his journey, he meets other rain forest animals, not all of them friendly! Alas, the new tree he chooses is already home to another chameleon. She dons her aggressive coloring until she's sure that the visitor is friend, not foe. Then they welcome each other with brilliant, happy colors. Incredible photographs and simple text perfect for young children is rounded out with informative backmatter on one of the planet's most captivating creatures. $16.95 books;hardcover books;hardcovers | Ages 4-8

  
  Chameleon, Chameleon
  Ages 4-8 $16.95
  
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  The Teacher Store
  	Apple Banana Cherry by Joy Cowley and Elizabeth Fuller Apple! Banana! Cherry! Come with me! Let's have fun with our ABC. Joy Cowley's wonderful read-aloud rhymes make learning the alphabet lots of fun for young readers. $4.95 Paperback Book | Grades K-2

  
  Apple Banana Cherry
  Grades K-2 $4.95