The Children’s Book Review | April 12, 2017
Johanna Hurwitz is a former children’s librarian and the award-winning author of more than seventy books for children, including The Two and Only Kelly Twins and four books about Arlene and Ilene’s friend Monty, who lives on their street. Ms. Hurwitz divides her time between Great Neck, New York, and Wilmington, Vermont.
I write because …
In real life I have only two children, a daughter and a son (who inspired Nora and Teddy when they were young) but as an author, I am able to have a huge extended family with dozens of children who I have named and grown to know very well.
I read because …
I only have one actual life but by reading I have lived through many centuries and in many countries.
My latest published book …
… is DOUBLE OR NOTHING WITH THE TWO AND ONLY KELLY TWINS, which is the further adventures of Arlene and Ilene Kelly.
I wrote this book because …
I wanted to discover and share these new adventures of the identical twins who I introduced in THE TWO AND ONLY KELLY TWINS. In real life I never had twins, although I am fascinated by them.
Best moment …
… was visiting at a school where twin sisters with the last name Kelly were in the audience. I don’t know who was more surprised—the twins or me.
My special place to write is …
In a room in my house surrounded by books (mine and other authors’).
Necessary writing/creativity tool is …
A 2+ mile early morning walk. I don’t wear earphones to listen to music or stories. I use this time to talk to myself and the characters who are walking around inside my imagination.
The person who has been my greatest writing teacher or inspiration is …
Frances Clark Sayers. She was the Head of Children’s Services at the New York Public Library when I was a child and she also wrote and published several children’s books. I had already planned to do both in my life and she proved that it was possible.
Currently reading …
SOME WRITER! THE STORY OF E.B. WHITE by Melissa Sweet.
Favorite bookshop …
Olde and New England Books in Newfane, Vermont. It interfiles current and old, out-of-print books by the same author side by side on the shelves.
All-time favorite children’s book I didn’t write …
… is STUART LITTLE by E.B.White.
Favorite Illustrator …
Maurice Sendak. (I have an original drawing of his that I bought and it is hanging over my desk.)
A literary character I would like to vacation with …
Babar the Elephant. (His wife Queen Celeste can come along too!)
When I am not reading or writing I am …
Vacationing in Vermont, picking wild blackberries, making jam, writing paper letters to friends and of course spending time with my now-grown children and my three grandchildren.
You can connect with me here …
For teachers and librarians …
Sign up for a free downloadable curriculum guide for both books here.
Double or Nothing with the Two and Only Kelly Twins
Written by Johanna Hurwitz
Publisher’s Synopsis: What’s the same about identical twins — and what’s different? Sleepovers, poetry projects, and new haircuts are in play as seven-year-old Arlene and Ilene start coming into their own.
Arlene and Ilene love so many things about being identical twins. They like sharing a room, sharing friends, and wearing matching outfits. But they’re in different classes at school, and one twin has a scar that the other one doesn’t. One morning, their friends Monty and Joey point out a new difference that takes the sisters by surprise and gets them thinking: if they are identical twins, why are there differences between them at all? Their tongues must be the same, so why do they like different kinds of ice cream? Why does Arlene wear pink nail polish while Ilene thinks it’s silly? Why is Ilene sleeping soundly when Arlene is awake, wondering how she can be sure that she is Arlene, not Ilene? Revisit the funny, lovable characters from The Two and Only Kelly Twins and take a peek at the wonders — and puzzles — of being an identical twin.
Ages 6-9 | Publisher: Candlewick | April 25, 2017 | ISBN-13: 978-0763688080
Available Here:
Discover more books like Double or Nothing with the Two and Only Kelly Twins, written by Johanna Hurwitz, by checking out our reviews and articles tagged with E. B. White and Twins; plus, be sure to follow along with our Writing and Reading Life series.
