You asked for fun and fabulous and we’re here to deliver! Introducing the new chapter book series JoJo by Annette M. Clayton and illustrated by Carolina Vázquez. Each story follows JoJo Jupiter, who loves glitter, fashion, and the pop singer Ruby Red. And spending time with her besties is a must!
Today author Annette M. Clayton joins us on the Lerner blog to share her inspiration for the series, why she chose to write chapter books, and more!
What inspired you to write JoJo?
I have hearing loss due to otosclerosis and have very little hearing in my right ear. It does affect my life, but it’s not my whole life. Like JoJo, I’m also I’m half Latinx. Being raised with parents from two different cultures was a fun experience and helped to shape who I am. When I started writing for children, I searched for books that featured kids with hearing loss and was surprised by how few there were, and none were Latinx. I wanted kids who were HoH (hard of hearing) to be able to see themselves in books—but, I really didn’t want the hearing aid, or JoJo being Latinx, to be the focus of the books. I just wanted kids to see JoJo, a normal, yet amazing kid! Hearing loss is only one part of my life, and the same is true for JoJo. She’s also kind, creative, courageous, and has some really fun adventures!
What made you decide to write an early chapter book?
When my girls first started to read independently, I introduced them to chapter books. It was a battle to get them reading. I couldn’t understand it; I loved reading so much, and I had picked out a magical series for them. What I discovered after listening to their concerns was that the word count was too overwhelming. They hated the idea of only reading one chapter, then having to put the book away for the night, then starting a new chapter the next day. To them, those books were not a joy, but an insurmountable mountain they would never climb. Shortly after, my sister-in-law bought the twins a copy of an early chapter book. One of my daughters began reading it that day and ran to me and cried out, “Mommy, look, I’m already on chapter four, I’m almost done with the whole book!” She was so proud of her accomplishment and kept reading, devouring book after book in that series. It dawned on me that my girls did like to read, and they just needed material that worked for them. I witnessed firsthand the value of early chapter books, and I knew that I wanted to write one of my own.
How did you get ideas for JoJo and the Fashion Show?
I always knew that I wanted JoJo to be a fashionista. I also wanted to introduce her hearing aide in a fun and creative way. I spent a lot of time brainstorming how to marry those two ideas together. Luckily, I have twin daughters who are a huge source of inspiration for me. When I started drafting the JoJo series, my twins had just finished elementary school, so I had a very solid idea of what second graders were into. At JoJo’s age, my girls loved craft kits and making their own jewelry. A lot of their friends made jewelry too and traded pieces in class. I knew that kids with hearing aids sometimes hung charms on their aides to dress them up and got the idea that JoJo would buy a craft kit and make her own hearing aid charms. The idea of a fashion show at recess blossomed from there. For my initial draft, I had JoJo’s jewelry become such a big hit, that she ditches her friends to hang out with the popular girls. But it didn’t feel quite right. A critique partner of mine and fellow kidlit writer, Ana Siqueira, suggested I do a play on hearing vs. listening, which are two different things. JoJo can hear better with her hearing aide, but is she listening to what her friends are saying? I thought that advice was golden and wrote the character Cassie, who’s embarrassed she can’t afford a jewelry kit and tries to tell JoJo, but JoJo isn’t really listening to what her BFF is trying to tell her.
Are you and JoJo alike?
There are pieces of me sprinkled throughout the entire series. Like JoJo, I was really into glitter, bright colors, and loved DIY projects as a kid. JoJo’s dad is Puerto Rican, and her mom is white, just like my parents. JoJo has twin brothers, Miles and Sebastian, and I have twin daughters. One adventure in the series that happened to me in real life is in the talent show book. I was in a talent show with my friends in the fifth grade and we made up a dance to the Gloria Estefan song “Conga.” We wore matching hot pink shirts that we decorated with puffy paint. It’s one of my favorite childhood memories!
What was it like to see JoJo go from an idea to a book series?
Working with the editorial staff at Lerner was amazing. They took my ideas about JoJo’s Latinx background and hearing aid and brought so much compassion, enthusiasm, and creativity to the project. One of my writing mentors once told me, “It takes a village to write a book…you’ll see.” And she was right. My editors, Brianna Kaiser and Amber Ross, helped tremendously, making each chapter flow together effortlessly to create a beautifully finished product. Emily Harris did an amazing job designing each book. For the illustrations, Carolina Vázquez is truly brilliant. She did a fantastic job of capturing the magic and sparkle of the series. I made a Pinterest board featuring each character’s look and pinned cute outfits to give Carolina and the team inspiration. When I saw sketches for the first time, I was truly blown away—it was better than I had imagined!
What do you hope that kids will take away from the JoJo series?
I think that kids will relate to JoJo because she’s so normal. She has adventures, trouble with friends, and learns and grows from her mistakes. She also wears a hearing aid, which is just a part of her everyday life. I want kids to know that differences are okay. Everyone needs help sometimes, whether it’s a wheelchair, glasses, a hearing aid, or extra help in the classroom. It’s okay to have differences and to need assistance.
Read all of the JoJo books!
JoJo and the Bake Sale
It’s time for a bake sale! JoJo wants her cupcakes to be the best, but her friend’s cupcakes may outshine hers. Follow JoJo as she tries having fun while not letting her jealousy take over.
JoJo and the Fashion Show
Everyone loves JoJo’s new jewelry. But she gets so lost in the attention and fashion show plans that she doesn’t see her friend struggling. Join JoJo as she tries to be a good friend.
JoJo and the Glitter Girls
When JoJo and her friends form a band to compete in the school talent show, JoJo wants to be the star. But things don’t go her way. Join JoJo as she learns about teamwork.
JoJo and the Puppy
JoJo is excited to watch her neighbor’s puppy for the day. But when JoJo doesn’t follow the rules, things get out of hand. Follow JoJo as she learns the importance of being responsible.
Connect with the author
With a father from Puerto Rico and an Irish mother, Annette M. Clayton grew up in a lively and diverse household. She has a master’s degree in writing for children and young adults and has published over twenty-five books with more on the way. Annette lives in Maryland with her family