ABOUT JARRETT

Jarrett Dapier is an author, librarian, and lifelong drummer. His debut picture book, JAZZ FOR LUNCH!, illustrated by Eugenia Mello, published by Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, received a starred review in Kirkus Reviews and was a finalist for the Ezra Jack Keats awards in both writing and illustration. His second picture book, MR. WATSON's CHICKENS, illustrated by Andrea Tsurumi, published by Chronicle Books, received a starred review in Publishers Weekly and was chosen by NPR and Bookpage as one of the best books of 2021. His third picture book, THE MOST HAUNTED HOUSE IN AMERICA, a goofy, ghostly, rhythmic romp based on his experience drumming at the White House in 2009, is illustrated by Lee Gatlin, published by Abrams Books, and is a 2023 Illinois Reads selection.  

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Jarrett loves reading, visiting libraries and bookstores, listening to punk rock and jazz, visiting historic Chicago sites with his wife, skateboarding with his son, attending theater with his daughter, planting pollinator-friendly gardens, playing with his rescue dog Loki, swimming in Lake Michigan, playing the drums, checking in with birds and nature as often as he can, and eating lots of ice cream.   

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Jarrett lives in Evanston, IL with his family. He's in a band called Fascinator (find their 4-song EP TRUST FALLS online in February 2024). He was born with half a sixth finger on his left hand and can see the hospital where he was born from his backyard.

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*Drawing of Jarrett on home page by Summer Pierre

**Dog in photo above is not Jarrett's dog

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