News Releases
News, Announcements and Awards
Wide Mouth Frog’s Big Birthday receives winning review
Review by D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
Wide Mouth Frog’s Big Birthday is written and illustrated by Jerry Barrett and adds to the other ‘Wide Mouth Frog’ titles in the series; but stands well alone for newcomers, as well.
Here Wide Mouth Frog is throwing a big 5th birthday party for himself, and he invites all his animal friends to come help him celebrate, issuing whimsical invitations and arranging games.
Mother Frog’s only stipulation is that Wide Mouth Frog and his friends stay on their side of the pond – but the inevitable happens amidst the fun, and danger is encountered. Can Wide Mouth Frog come up with a creative solution before he or his friends become someone’s dinner?
The fanciful story is packed with colorful illustrations and fun easy adventure reading that animal-loving kids will appreciate, while the creative problem-solving portion is well done and appealing. It should also be noted that Wide Mouth Frog’s Big Birthday was the 2015 Indie Award Winner in the Children’s Book category (0-6 years) – with good reason!
Jerry Barrett wins Second Finalist Medal at the Next Generation Indie Book Awards
Wins for newest book, Wide Mouth Frog Goes On Vacation
Jerry Barrett, author and illustrator has received his a finalist award for the second year in the 2014 Next Generation Indie Book Awards competition for independent authors and publishers. The book, Wide Mouth Frog Goes On Vacation, was published by Sunnycrest Press, Urbana
Next Generation Indie Book Award Finalist Medal awarded to Wide Mouth Frog Goes to the Zoo.
Jerry Barrett wins Finalist Medal at the Next Generation Indie Book Awards
Posted in the Champaign–Urbana News Gazette: Sunday, May 19, 2013
Barrett finalist for book award.
Jerry Barrett, author and illustrator of Wide Mouth Frog Goes to the Zoo is a finalist in the 2013 Next Generation Indie Book Awards competition for independent authors and publishers. Barrett, an Urbana resident, will receive his finalist medal in the children’s picture book category during a May 29 reception at BookExpo America in New York*. The book was published by Sunnycrest Press, Urbana
*Unfortunately I was unable to attend.
Bryson Fuller watches as author Jerry Barrett autographs his Writer’s Notebook. Mr. Barrett signed each student’s book for them. Several students remarked that they would keep their autographs forever, and were so impressed to meet a real author.
Wenz students get creativity lesson from children’s author
Posted in the Paris Beacon News: Thursday, October 10, 2013
Sharon Wright, teacher at Wenz Elementary School, thought her students could get a special writing lesson from children’s author Jerry Barrett.
“We have used his first book for lessons in literary elements,” Wright said. “The kids are planning all sorts of questions about the writing process, where he gets his ideas, etc”. The visit was a part of their creative writing unit in which students are creating their own original books.
Barrett was born and raised on a farm near Metcalf Illinois. He earned an AS degree from Danville Area Community College and then a BFA in industrial design from the University of Illinois’s College of Art and Design.
Before starting Sunnycrest Press, Jerry worked as a graphic design and illustrator for the University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service and Sea Grant programs. Go to www.jerrybarrettdesigns.com for samples of his award-winning work. Jerry’s other interests include sculpture, oil painting, and pottery.
Jerry published his first children’s book, Wide Mouth Frog Goes to the Zoo, in March 2013. The book was a 2013 Indie Award Winner in the Children’s Picture Book Category. He is working on his second book, Jerry is currently working on his second book, Wide Mouth Frog Goes on Vacation.
Contact Information For Jerry Barrett, President, Sunnycrest Press and author of Wide Mouth Frog Goes to the Zoo Web address: www.sunnycrestpress.com
Jerry Barrett surrounded by his books and merchandise at the Village Mall in Danville, IL.
Book signing at Book World in the Village Mall at Danville, IL
We braved the snow and ice to attend a book signing and promotion at Book World bookstore in the Village Mall in Danville on Valentines Day. I was signing copies of my award winning book, Wide Mouth Frog Goes to the Zoo and my newest release, Wide Mouth Frog Goes on Vacation. Both books are available now at Book World. As you can see, I am also surrounded by my other Froggy merchandise; t-shirts,mugs and shopping bags for sale that day. See the merchandise page for more information. Also kudo’s to Jessica, the manager, for setting us up so nicely with a good space and her enthusiasm in our presence there.