Joanna Hurley
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Joanna Hurley is the pen name for Joanne F. Hurley, a Chicago business and entertainment attorney for over 40 years. Joanna says she has always enjoyed young children because of their joyful exuberance and energy. She wants each to attain their dreams, whether they are intuitively spunky and independent like she was or not. With extensive writing experience as a lawyer, Joanna decided to share that experience and her childlike imagination by writing children’s books so that children have the tools necessary to gain confidence—the key, in her mind, to happiness and success.
The first story in her Zoey and Arthur Adventure Series, It Started With The Witch’s Spell, was published on October 5, 2021, and has already garnered attention by winning Amazon’s No. 1 Best Selling Status in numerous categories in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. The second in the Series, The Great Bednapping Mystery, is due to be released Winter, 2022. Joanna has also written a number of other series, including Christmas stories, family travel adventures, lessons on how to handle loss and grief, and a current affairs series, featuring a story on immigration and bullying. The latter, My Mother is an Immigrant, recounts Joanna’s mother’s journey from Spain at 5 years old, and how it affects her daughter years later. Her publisher, The DP Group LLC, is excited to bring all of Joanna’s stories to print.
Joanna writes funny and wacky stories. Her goal is to give parents books that guarantee that quiet reading time with their children at bedtime turns into fun, shared moments, but also provides a platform from which parents can discuss character trait development—think courage, kindness, generosity, forgiveness and more. She hopes the books will also help readers gain confidence when they realize that Zoey simple does her best and that enables her to handle each new experience she encounters, including moves, new schools, pandemics, death, traveling to a fairyland, etc. and that they can too.
Joanna currently lives with her Brittany Spaniel, Glidewell, also a red head, in Oklahoma City, after leaving the South of France to work more closely with her publisher on bringing all of her books to life. You can visit her online at www.joannahurleystories.com and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JoannaHurleyStories.
FROM THE AUTHOR. Why do author's write stories? Every author is different but for me the answer is simple. I want kids to be the best they can be. This means helping them learn about traits important for them to attain that goal. The characters in a story are important. Kids learn better from stories about other children than animals per the studies and so my stories contain people not animals. My characters are fun, but also kind, generous, courageous, confident, helpful, and responsible. The stories are wacky with twists and turns( mostly because I write the first draft without a big plan of what will happen and have fun seeing where the story wants to go). There are always real life issues and also some fantasy or magic involved. I find this attracts the kids that relate to moves to a new town and school as well as those who crave adventure. Something for everyone. the stories are written first person from the perspective of 8 year old Zoey. She is intelligent, sassy, impatient, bossy and well adorable. She will help anyone she meets and is infuriated when people suggest she is too young to help. She then proves them wrong. Kids love the stories, declaring them "weird", "unusual," and "fun." Teachers and parents have been enthusiastic and enjoy Zoey's journey to find friends and adventure in her new town. I believe that stories open up the world to kids. My reading as a kid helped me get to China, Hong Kong, Mexico, Morocco and other countries around the world and to live in France for 15 years.
THE CREATION OF THE ZOEY AND ARTHUR SERIES . How do authors get ideas for stories? Well this differs by author but for It Started With the Witch's Spell, a neighbor started me on my journey. One day in 2006, my neighbor came over and asked me to write him a story for his 5 year old granddaughter's 5th birthday. I told him to go buy a present but when I got pushback I did as I was told and wrote the story. I wrote in the Jeruselum Cafe in Oak Park, just outside of Chicago. I had a great time and laughed and laughed as I wrote. When I finished it, I gave it to him and he delivered the story for Zoey's present. She loved it. I enjoyed the process. Years later, when I was not working as much I edited the story, found an illustrator, the wonderful Anca Chelaru and then a publisher and the book was published in 2021. More stories in the series are in the works but the second in the series, The Great Bednapping Mystery, was published in October, 2022.
THE KIDQUEST™ teaching tool was created to help parents learn more about their kid at story time. Each chapter allows parents to see what the child is understanding in the chapter and promotes discussions about the stories' themes: friendship, sharing, kindness, responsibility, forgiveness and more. Kids like the questions and surprise their parents with big smiles and answers to all the questions.
EDITORIAL REVIEWS
"What you have created is an emotionally/psychologically unique character.. who has other-worldly adventures." Dr. Stephanie Mines, psychologist, Creator of the Tara Approach and author.
"This book was very adventurous and creative. It is unique and different because you don't usually find talking beds! I loved it! Send me more stories." Emily, aged 10
"I like all of the characters and I liked the first part of the stoyr about the move very much. Mom and I talked about making friend and agreed that deciding on what games to pay can be hard. I want to read the net story when it's ready." Nick, age 7
"I hope Zoey ahs more adventures. I like the questions at the end of the chapters. Kylie, 8 years old
"I loved it. I liked that it was kind of weird. I liked the characters a lot." Charlotte, 8 years old.
"The Great Bednapping Mystery is a wonderfully creative story told by the endearing and adventurous Zoey. Zoey shows how being accepting of others and their differences leads to the best friendships. The story is exciting and makes you want to keep reading to find out what happens next." Debbie Heyt, Oklahoma reading specialist and 4th grade teacher.
"Young readers will be captivated by Joanna Hurley's enchanting sequel. The Great Bednapping Mystery. The story is both imaginative and relatable as the main character Zoey, defines and explains her struggles in easy - to -understand ways. while solving problems amidst an exciting circus that's in town. The author blends - life issues that kids will encounter, with suspense and magic, engaging the reader as they dive further into Zoey's life. Each chapter ends with a series of questions that encourages the reader to recall facts from the story as well as think critically about he text. Kids, parents and teachers will be thrilled to add this book to their library! " Rae Lynn Payton, Norman Oklahoma 2d grade teacher.
"Making friends when yuo are a kid is hard enough. being the new kid on the block makes it that much harder. Zoey is charming and courageous as she confronts her own fears as she realizes that she and Mrs. G are the only ones who can solve a mystery." Suzanne Picerno, Author Eddie the Elephant's Magical Ear.
