Jane Elizabeth Clarke (born in 1954) is an English writer of children's books and poetry. Her best known books include Gilbert the Great illustrated by Charles Fuge, and Neon Leon[1] illustrated by Britta Teckentrup. Jane has published more than 80 books, including the Dr. Kittycat series for Oxford University Press, and children's reading scheme books used in schools.[2] CBeebies Bedtime Stories have featured two of Jane's books, Stuck in the Mud (read by Dolly Parton)[3] and Knight Time (read by Jake Wood).[4] Stuck in the Mud is also featured with a US Scholastic Book Club edition which includes a CD audio edition. This audio edition is produced by Beatstreet Productions, NYC, directed by Cheryl Smith, read by Cassandra Morris and features music composed by Michael Abbott.

Jane E. Clarke
Clarke – England – 2010
Born (1954-12-17) 17 December 1954 (age 71)
Alma materUniversity of Birmingham, University College London
OccupationWriter
Known forAuthor of children's books
SpouseMartin Clarke (deceased)
Children2 sons
Websitewww.jane-clarke.co.uk

Jane Clarke is also a team writer on three different popular series for young readers. Dinosaur Cove (series created by Working Partners Ltd. and published by Oxford University Press),[5] Puddle the Naughtiest Puppy (series created by Working Partners Ltd. and published by Ladybird Books Ltd.)[6] and Pet Hotel (created by Random House Children's Books and published by Red Fox.)[7]

Early life

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Jane was born 17 December 1954 and brought up in Kettering, Northamptonshire, England. Her parents were Jim and June Andrew. She was a pupil at Hawthorn Road County Primary School in Kettering. In 1972 Jane completed her secondary study at the Kettering High School for Girls. From 1972 to 1975 Jane studied at the University of Birmingham where she earned a combined Bachelor of Arts with honours in archaeology and history. In 1981 she completed a PhD in archaeology from University College London.


Awards

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  • Sheffield Children's Book Award – Picture Book Category (Gilbert the Great) 2006, Highly Commended[8]
  • Norfolk Library and Information Service Children's Book Award – Younger Category (Gilbert the Great) 2006, Bronze Star Winner
  • Nottingham Children's Book Award for 3-5's (Stuck in the Mud) 2008[9]

Works

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The Dr. KittyCat books, Oxford University Press:

  • Dr KittyCat is Ready to Rescue: Posy the Puppy 2015
  • Dr KittyCat is Ready to Rescue: Daisy the Kitten 2015
  • Dr KittyCat is Ready to Rescue: Clover the Bunny 2015
  • Dr KittyCat is Ready to Rescue: Willow the Duckling 2015
  • Dr KittyCat is Ready to Rescue: Nutmeg the Guinea Pig 2016
  • Dr KittyCat is Ready to Rescue: Pumpkin the Hamster 2017
  • Dr KittyCat is ready to rescue: Peanut the Mouse 2018
  • Dr KittyCat is Ready to Rescue: Ginger the Kitten 2018
  • Dr KittyCat is ready to rescue: Logan the Puppy 2018
  • Dr KittyCat is ready to rescue: Bramble the Hedgehog 2019

Al's Awesome Science, Five Quills:

  • Al's Awesome Science: No.1: Egg-Speriments! (illustrated by James Brown) 2017
  • AL's Awesome Science: Splash Down! (illustrated by James Brown) 2018
  • Al's Awesome Science: Blast-Off! (illustrated by James Brown) 2018
  • Al's Awesome Science: Busy Bodies! (illustrated by James Brown) 2019

Sky Private Eye, Five Quills:

  • Sky Private Eye and the Case of the Runaway Biscuit: A Fairytale Mystery Starring the Gingerbread Boy Five Quills 2018
  • Sky Private Eye and The Case of the Sparkly Slipper: A Fairytale Mystery Starring Cinderella Five Quills 2018
  • Sky Private Eye and the Case of the Missing Grandma: A Fairy-Tale Mystery Starring Little Red Riding Hood Five Quills 2020

Lottie Loves Nature, Five Quills:

  • Lottie Loves Nature: Frog Frenzy illustrated by James Brown, Five Quills 2020
  • Lottie Loves Nature: Bird Alert illustrated by James Brown, Five Quills 2021
  • Lottie Loves Nature: Bee-Ware illustrated by James Brown, Five Quills 2021

In conjunction with Random House Children's Books (The Battersea Dogs & Cats Home Series):

In conjunction with Working Partners Ltd. (Dinosaur Cove Series):

In Conjunction with Working Partners Ltd. (Puddle the Naughtiest Puppy Series):

References

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  1. Neon Leon Nosy Crow
  2. "Jane Clarke Author". Class Act, Bringing Literacy to Life. Archived from the original on 4 February 2010. Retrieved 6 December 2009.
  3. "CBeebies Bedtime Stories". BBC. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  4. "CBeebies Bedtime Stories". BBC. Retrieved 12 December 2009.
  5. "Attack of the Lizard King: Dinosaur Cove 1, copyright page". Amazon.co.uk Books. Retrieved 6 December 2009.
  6. "Puddle the naughtiest puppy". Ladybird Books, Ltd. Archived from the original on 10 June 2010. Retrieved 10 August 2010.
  7. "Books at Random". Random House Group Limited. Retrieved 10 August 2010.
  8. "Author Profiles – Jane Clarke". The Word Pool. Retrieved 6 December 2009.
  9. "Author Congratulations". Celia Catchpole. Archived from the original on 25 November 2009. Retrieved 6 December 2009.

Organisations

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