STEPHEN SHASKAN graduated from Rhode island School of Design. Since then, he has worked as an early childhood educator and played in four rock bands. Steve received a Minnesota State Artist’s Initiative Grant in 2011 and 2014 for his illustration work. He lives in Minneapolis with his author-wife Trisha Speed Shaskan, an adoringly curmudgeon of a cat, Eartha, and a sweet doxie named Bea.
Visit Stephen online at:
For more information, please contact Teresa Kietlinski at teresa(a)bookmarkliterary.com.
Author photo credit © Karl Rashke
Stephen’s bookshelf:
PIZZA AND TACO SERIES:
by Stephen Shaskan | Random House Graphic | 2020-
Pizza & Taco: Who’s the Best? | Book 1
• a School Library Journal Summer Best Reads: 13 Books to Tickle the Funny Bone, 2020
• a Texas Little Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List, 2021, for Grades K-5
Pizza & Taco: Best Party Ever! | Book 2
• an Amazon.com Editor’s pick for Best Books Ages 6-8
• A Scholastic Book Club selection
• A Scholastic Book Fairs selection
Pizza & Taco: Super-Awesome Comic! | Book 3
• A Scholastic Book Club selection
• A Scholastic Book Fairs selection
Pizza & Taco: Too Cool For School | Book 4
• an Ohio Buckeye Book Award, 2023 Winners
• an Ohio Buckeye Children’s Book Award, 2023, Grades K-2
Pizza & Taco: Rock Out! | Book 5
Pizza & Taco: Dare to Be Scared! | Book 6
Pizza & Taco: Wrestling Mania! | Book 7
Pizza & Taco: Best Christmas Ever! | Book 8
Pizza & Taco: Coolest Club Ever! | Book 9
Pizza & Taco: Go Viral! | Book 10
Pizza & Taco: Draw Your Own Comic! (An Activity Book)
“Series fans and budding graphic novelists alike will appreciate this DIY outing from the tasty twosome we’ve come to love over 9 volumes of comic books.”—Youth Services Book Review
Reviews for PIZZA AND TACO: WHO’S THE BEST?
“YAAAS! This lunch bunch serves pure silliness.” –Kirkus Reviews
“A perfect choice for early readers beginning their climb to Dog Man.” –Booklist
“Fans of Clanton’s Narwhal and Jelly series will find these foodie friends particularly appealing.” –The Bulletin
“There’s plenty of gross-out humor for kids. Readers will relate to the joy and frustration of friendly competition, and the hilarity of watching an animated taco and slice of pizza do their best-friends dance is not to be missed. A delightful graphic novel for young readers.” –School Library Journal
Big Choo
by Steve Shaskan | Scholastic Cartwheel | 2018
Q & Ray: The Case of the Missing Mola Lisa | Case 1
Q & Ray: Meteorite or Meteor-wrong? | Case 2
Q & Ray: Foul Play at Elm Tree Park | Case 3
written by Trisha Speed Shaskan | Lerner Graphic Universe | 2017-2018
illus. by Stephen Shaskan
Toad on the Road: A Cautionary Tale
by Steve Shaskan | HarperCollins | 2017
★ Kirkus Reviews starred review for Toad on the Road: A Cautionary Tale
• an Oklahoma Redbud Read-Aloud selection, 2018
• a Utah Beehive Award selection, Picture Books, Grades K-3, 2019
by Steve Shaskan | HarperCollins | 2018
“Mama and Toad, traveling in Mama’s tow truck, help out all of their friends in this rhyming read-aloud. As Mama and Toad travel along the road, they encounter friends who have a variety of problems (Goat out of gas, Fox with a flat, Moose in the muck) and are able to help everyone. In return, they are thanked by all of their friends with a party. Mama and Toad spread goodwill to all they meet. The snappy, rhyming verse could easily become a participatory storytelling in any preschool or kindergarten class. The digitally created characters in the colorful illustrations are sweetly expressive. VERDICT Shaskan’s message of friendship and helping each other would be a great discussion starter for any early childhood class.”—School Library Journal
Punk Skunks
written by Trisha Speed Shaskan | HarperCollins | 2016
illus. by Stephen Shaskan
Max Speed
by Stephen Shaskan | Random House | 2016
★ Kirkus Reviews starred review
• an Amazon.com Editor’s Pick, Best Books ages 3-5
The Three Triceratops Tuff
by Stephen Shaskan | Beach Lane Books | 2013
A Dog Is a Dog
by Stephen Shaskan | Chronicle | 2011
• a CCBC Choices Selection, 2012
Art Panels, BAM! A Guide To Writing Your Own Graphic Novel
written by Trisha Speed Shaskan | Picture Window Books | 2010
illus. by Stephen Shaskan
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