BookHounds Author Directory

One of the best things about living in the Twin Cities is the fabulous arts and cultural scene for kids. Museums, concerts, zoos, you name it and the Cities have it. A lesser known gem of living here is the overabundance of talented children’s authors and illustrators who call this area their home and make public appearances on a regular basis. One of my recent favs is author/illustrator Stephen Shaskan (rhymes with “Trashcan”!).

Stephen Shaskan's First Picture Book

Stephen’s first picture book, A Dog Is a Dog* (Chronicle Books), came out in the Fall 2011 and was featured in the New York Public Library’s “Best Picture Books of the Year” list. His second book, The Three Triceratops Tuff* (Beach Lane Books), was just out in April of this year and it is just as brilliant. Stephen’s books make me laugh and smile, and I highly recommend them for one on one reads or reading aloud to a group. I have A Dog is a Dog at home and my 6 yr old daughter loves the part about the squid . . . that’s right, I said squid. You’ll just have to read it . . .

Other Books By Stephen Shaskan

• Art Panels, BAM! Speech Bubbles, POW!* (Illustrator)
• Max Speed*
• Toad on the Road: A Cautionary Tale*
• Punk Skunks*
• The Missing Mola Lisa (Q & Ray)*

*Book Links are to our Amazon Affiliate Store. Family Fun Twin Cities Receives a Small Portion of any Sales.

Stephen Shaskan's Background in ECE

I first met Stephen when he was a special storytime guest star at my library during Children’s Book Week, and let me tell you, he was wonderful. His background is in Early Childhood Education, and you can tell by the way he interacts with children. He entertainingly read from his first book, then lead the children in a singalong. He also brought his “storytime guitar” to play for the kids . . . it’s totally covered with stickers, AND he lets kids touch and strum it. How cool is that? He was very charming, I would love to have him back someday.

Check out Stephen Shaskan, you won’t be disappointed!

This article was originally published on April 24, 2013, as part of our Children's Library Corner series, guest authored by some of our favorite local librarians.

Ann is my favorite Twin Cities Children's Librarian. She has introduced me to so many books and authors--most I have loved and only some I've thought, I don't know if I like this.  Either way, I know that she is a true friend because after reading a book to her kids, she thought of me and my 4 kiddos.  She took the book putting it on reserve for us at the library so we could enjoy it. And we did! We couldn't read it fast enough.

That is a true librarian friend. Everyone needs one of these. And she has agreed to be yours--once a month.

Ann has agreed to offer book suggestions, to introduce new and local authors, and to be a great resource for us in the book world. You will find her reviews to be spot-on, and her sense of humor will make you giggle. (At least she makes me giggle!) 

Articles Related to Stephen Shaskan

• Trisha Speed Shaskan (Trisha is the other half of the Shaskan Power Couple)
• Read Aloud Wednesday– ‘A Dog is a Dog’
• Meet Local Authors Stephen and Trisha Speed Shaskan
• World Read Aloud Day
• BookHounds Episode #2: “Punk Skunks”