Born:
February  1, 1961
Wantagh, New York,
United States Of America

Current Home:
Delmar, New York,
United States Of America

James Preller

Biography

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James Preller is the author of more than 80 books for children. He is best known for the Jigsaw Jones Mysteries.  Other titles include Along Came Spider and Ghost Cat and Other Spooky Tales. 

"When I was quite young, with everyone else off to school, I used to draw pictures and make homemade comic books that I sold to friends and neighbors," says James. "Was I dreaming of becoming an author? No, absolutely not. I fully intended to play baseball for the New York Mets. But I did enjoy making up stories, creating my own little worlds. In a way, I had my own publishing company, complete with door-to-door product distribution. When you think about it, I pretty much do the same thing today. I'm still making up stories. It's my job."

James worked as a waiter for a year, and then was hired as a copywriter for Scholastic publishers in New York. He worked for the SeeSaw Book Club, writing blurbs about literally thousands of children's books. "It was during this time when I first ‘met' authors (through their books) such as James Marshall, Arnold Lobel, Maurice Sendak, Bernard Waber, Eric Carle, Joanna Cole, William Steig, and many more."  This experience inspired him to write his own books.

James Preller lives in Delmar, New York with his wife, three children, two cats, and a basset hound. For more information about him, please visit www.JamesPreller.com

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  	Ghost Cat and Other Spooky Tales by James Preller Spooky tales in this chapter book please those readers who love things that go bump in the night. $3.99 Paperback Book | Grades 3-5

  
  Ghost Cat and Other Spooky Tales
  Grades 3-5 $3.99
  
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  The Teacher Store

  Along Came Spider by James Preller Spider Stevens and Trey Cooper have lived next door to each other their entire lives. Their houses are on the odd-numbered side of Maple Street, which seems just about right. Because, well, Trey Cooper is a little odd himself. It didn't matter when they were little kids --- you know, way back in second grade. And it doesn't matter so much when they're at home on Maple Street. That's just Trey being Trey. But it matters in the fifth grade. The whole class thinks Trey is weird. Do $15.99 Paperback Book | Grades 4-7

  
  Along Came Spider
  Grades 4-7 $15.99