Picture Books By Lori Mortensen

by Lori Mortensen
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4 books
I love reading and writing picture books. To me, they’re a beautiful blend of pictures and words that you can hold in your hands and share with loved ones on your lap. Below are some of my favorite picture books that I’ve written:
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Arlo Draws an Octopus

Lori Mortensen, 2021
This story began when I recalled drawing at the kitchen table with my sister. Since she was nearly three years older than me, her drawings always seemed better than mine. When I decided to write a story about a frustrated young artist named Arlo, I was tickled to imagine that he could see his drawing in a new way and realize that his drawings were actually wonderful all along. These memories turned into my picture book, Arlo Draws an Octopus, described as “An empowering picture book about creativity, making mistakes, and changing your perspective.”

If Wendell Had a Walrus

Lori Mortensen, 2018
Who doesn’t want a walrus? In this heartwarming story about friendship and imagination, a boy named Wendell dreams of getting a pet walrus. Together, they’d ride bikes, tell jokes, and have a grand time. If only he could find one! But looking for a walrus turns out to be its own adventure, one with an unexpected and happy result. Acclaimed author Lori Mortensen and New York Times-bestselling illustrator Matt Phelan have created a sweet, playful, memorable book in If Wendell Had a Walrus that kids are sure to request again and again.

Cowpoke Clyde Rides The Range

Lori Mortensen, 2016
I love Cowpoke Clyde and Dirty Dawg! In this sequel, Cowpoke Clyde is plumb confused. An ad in his favorite catalog says he oughta buy a bike. But why should he do that? After all, he’s got a horse. Still, a bike wouldn’t buck or bite, and he wouldn’t have to feed it. He orders one, and when it comes, he mounts up and sets right off, wibble-wobblin’ down the road. Good thing he’s got his trusty friend Dawg to look out for him. Turns out learning to ride a bike is just a tad bit harder than he thought! With its rip-roaring rhyming text and turn-the-page revelations, this book is pure read-aloud fun and great new adventure for fans of the award-winning picture book, Cowboy Clyde and Dirty Dawg.

In the Trees, Honey Bees

Lori Mortensen, 2009
I was introduced to honey bees when I discovered my father-in-law was a beekeeper with more than 300 hives. The more I learned about them, the more I wanted to tell their story from a perspective young readers would understand. So, I wrote it rhyme, structured it with a morning-to-morning cycle, and answered questions that young readers might have, such as “What do honey bees do during the day?” and “What do they do at night?” Called the ideal introduction for preschoolers and early elementary children to insects, readers will get inside-the-hive views of a wild colony of honey bees and close-ups of the queen, the cells, and even bee eggs. Simple verse will engage a young child, while sidebars with fascinating information satisfy the somewhat older child. Parents, teachers, and kids will love this picture book.