Joni Oeltjenbruns

Portfolio 1

2007-04-20T20:45:00.024-05:00

November 24, 2008

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What I'm Working On

2007-04-20T20:34:00.000-05:00

2007-04-16T20:37:00.000-05:00

Check back soon for new color pages and games.

Send me a note and tell me what you would like to see for color pages.

joni@jonibooks.com

Black & White Portfolio

2007-04-16T17:26:00.008-05:00

November 24, 2008

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About Me

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Joni is an award winning children's author and illustrator. Trick or Treat on Milton Street, by author Lisa Bullard, was awarded the 2002 Children's Choice Award by the International Reading Association and The Children's Book Council. Star of the Manger, written and illustrated by Joni, won Honorable Mention from the Tau Women's Association and Where's God, by Joni, won 2nd place in the 2005 Book Award for North American Liturgy.

Joni is the author of 3 books and illustrator of 17 books. She started freelance illustration in 1998 after 11 years as Art Director in the garment industry.

Joni grew up in a creative family of 7 kids. Her mother is an artist and musician and her father was a helicopter pilot. Joni has a twin sister named Juli and although they never played practical jokes when they were young, sometimes their children get them mixed up! She is currently working on more stories between remodeling her old house and teaching writing and illustrating classes.

Joni lives in Owatonna, MN with her hubby, their 5 kids, a kitten named Doris, a sheltie named Casey, and a wet fighter fish named Rufio.

The Mazza Museum Tour

Joni will be visited by the Mazza Museum Tour in June of 2009. The Mazza Museum is an International Art from Picture Books, check them out www.mazzamuseum.org

"I'm very honored to receive an invitation to be a part of their week long tour."

The Mazza Museum will visit Joni's studio on Sunday, June 21. A dinner, including guests Derek Anderson, Gary Harbo, Nancy Carlson, Lauren Stringer, Lisa Bullard, Lynne Jonell, and Jim Postier will be held in south Mpls. on Wednesday, June 17.

Portfolio 2

2007-04-16T16:31:00.002-05:00

November 24, 2008

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Books

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"Not Enough Beds" by Lisa Bullard, ill. by Joni Oeltjenbruns

In this lively Christmas tale, young Zachary runs down an alphabetic roster of family members and where they bed down.Whether under the table, on the wintery porch, in the bathtub, or under the tree, the innovative characters, slightly reminiscent of those in Cynthia Rylant's The Relatives Came (1985) find wonderful, humorous ways to pass the night. Oeltjenbrun's funny illustrations make this romp through the zany household a Christmas delight. Helen Rosenberg, Booklist

"Rafu, An African Journey" by Joni Oeltjenbruns
Rafu is a lowly porcupine. He must leave the safety of his beloved Kapok tree to find the meaning in his life. He completes his journey and finds that all creatures have meaning. Based on the Ashanti parable, "If you don't know where you've come from, you won't know where you've been."
This book was printed for the Minnesota State Student Council Convention in 2004. The book was used in conjunction with the leadership theme and read to over 500 elementary students, each received a book and completed an activity sheet based on "Rafu."

"Trick or Treat On Milton Street"

by Lisa Bullard, ill. by Joni Oeltjenbruns

2002 Children's Choice Award, Parents Silver Award, and more

Charley is sure that the first Halloween in his new house will be awful, until his stepfather takes him out trick-or-treating.

"Where Is God?" by Joni Oeltjenbruns

2nd Place North American Liturgy Book

A myriad of animals help search for God in a game of hide and seek. The lift and flaps help the kids "look" for God and finally find Him where he's always been, in our hearts.

"Tails From the Pantry Series "

by Patsy Clairmont, ill. by Joni Oeltjenbruns
Meet the MacKenzies. . . . Hidden in a forgotten box of Christmas candy on the third pantry shelf, this tiny mouse family is just like any other. A watchful mom and dad try their best to keep the children from mischief and harm, but as adventurous children do, these little tails sometimes get into trouble. In the end, invaluable lessons are learned when Mom and Dad's wise words carry the young mice safely home.

"Star of the Manger" by Joni Oeltjenbruns

Tau Women's Honorable Mention

With a "peep" and a "squeak" baby farm animals set out to find the special someone born in their manger. They find Jesus. The book is in the shape of a manger with an opening so the star can shine on each page.

"Christmas Around the World" by Emily Kelley, ill. by Joni Oeltjenbruns

(also avaliable in Spanish)

"Bless This Day" by Anne E. Kitch, ill. by Joni Oeltjenbruns

"Counting My Blessings" by Julia M. Neilly, ill. by Joni Oeltjenbruns

"Play & Pray" by Deb Lund, ill. by Joni Oeltjenbruns

"The Numbers of My Jewish Year"

by Marji Gold-Vukson, ill. by Joni Oeltjenbruns

Assoc. of Jewish Libraries Newsletter"...welcome addition to its companion board books...delivering a basic concept in a holiday framework for the preschool crowd"