Picture a storyteller who spins everyday objects into magical adventures for kids—meet Emily Jenkins! This New York-based author, with a knack for humor and heart, has charmed young readers with her picture books and middle-grade series. Writing as both Emily Jenkins and E. Lockhart, she crafts stories that blend whimsy with life’s big emotions, earning accolades and a spot in countless classrooms.
With a doctorate in English literature from Columbia University, Jenkins brings scholarly depth to her playful tales. Her ability to make a stuffed buffalo or a lemonade stand feel alive has made her a favorite among kids, parents, and educators. Let’s dive into the world of Emily Jenkins, where toys talk, magic misfires, and every story teaches something new!
The Making of Emily Jenkins
Born in New York City in 1967, Emily Jenkins grew up in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Seattle, Washington, surrounded by stories. Her mother, a preschool teacher, filled her early years with picture books, while her father, playwright Len Jenkin, introduced her to theater and classics like Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Watching rehearsals in darkened theaters, Jenkins learned how stories shift with every tweak—a lesson that shaped her dynamic writing style. She studied English at Vassar College and earned a Ph.D. at Columbia, initially eyeing an academic path. But co-writing a children’s novel, The Secret Life of Billie’s Uncle Myron, with her father sparked a new calling, leading her to children’s literature full-time.
Emily Jenkins’s Unforgettable Stories
Jenkins’s books are a delightful mix of humor, heart, and hidden lessons. Her Toys Go Out series, illustrated by Caldecott winner Paul O. Zelinsky, follows a stuffed buffalo, a stingray, and a mysterious ball named Plastic as they navigate friendship and adventure. Praised as a modern classic, it’s a Parents’ Choice Silver Honor winner that kids adore for its relatable toy antics. Upside-Down Magic, co-authored with Sarah Mlynowski and Lauren Myracle, is a New York Times bestselling series turned Disney Channel movie, celebrating quirky kids with unpredictable magic.
Her picture books shine just as bright. Lemonade in Winter follows two siblings running a lemonade stand in the snow, teaching persistence and basic math in a frosty, fun tale. All-of-a-Kind Family Hanukkah, based on Sydney Taylor’s classic series, earned a Sydney Taylor Book Award for its warm depiction of Jewish family life. Jenkins’s style—vivid, accessible, and emotionally rich—invites kids to see the world through new eyes, whether it’s a toy’s perspective or a historical lens.
As E. Lockhart, Jenkins writes young adult novels like We Were Liars, a gripping tale of family secrets that landed on the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize shortlist. Her versatility across genres showcases her storytelling prowess, always rooted in empathy and imagination.
Why Emily Jenkins Matters
Emily Jenkins’s impact lies in her ability to make complex emotions accessible to kids. Her stories teach resilience, creativity, and empathy without preaching, earning her a devoted following in schools and libraries. As a frequent speaker, she inspires young writers with talks on storytelling and observation, empowering kids to see themselves as creators. Awards like the Charlotte Zolotow Honor and Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor reflect her literary excellence, but her true legacy is the spark she ignites in young readers, encouraging them to find magic in the everyday.
About Emily Jenkins
- Born: September 13, 1967, in New York City
- Key Works: Toys Go Out, Upside-Down Magic, Lemonade in Winter, All-of-a-Kind Family Hanukkah
- Awards: Charlotte Zolotow Honor, Sydney Taylor Book Award, Parents’ Choice Silver Honor
- Pen Name: E. Lockhart for young adult novels
Ready to explore a world where toys talk and magic goes haywire? Grab Toys Go Out or Lemonade in Winter and dive into Emily Jenkins’s whimsical universe!