Angelica Shirley Carpenter writes biographies for young people and older readers, too. Her subjects are authors—Frances Hodgson Burnett, L. Frank Baum, Robert Louis Stevenson, Lewis Carroll, and Matilda Joslyn Gage.

Angelica speaks for teachers, librarians, writers, book clubs, students, bookstore groups, and other audiences. Her photographs appear in her books and in her illustrated talks.

Angelica lives with her husband in Fresno, California. A self-proclaimed Oz nut, she is a past president of the International Wizard of Oz Club. In her former life she was a librarian, the founding curator of the Arne Nixon Center for the Study of Children's Literature at California State University, Fresno. She likes to read, travel, shop, cook, watch movies, and listen to rock and roll (not all at the same time).

    

Coming in June 2024

The Secret Gardens of Frances Hodgson Burnett

Frances Hodgson Burnett—best known for writing The Secret Garden, Little Lord Fauntleroy, and A Little Princess—had a difficult life, losing her father when she was very young, moving to a new country in the face of economic turmoil, and suffering the loss of a marriage and a son later in life. But Frances? She could imagine anything, and she used her gifts to transform grief and hardship into beautiful works of literature that lifted the spirits of millions around the world.
This is her story.

    

Upcoming Appearances

Join Angelica at these events:

  • April 27, 2024
    Spring Spirit regional workshop of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, California North/Central Region, University Library, California State University, Fresno, California.
  • May 4, 2024
    San Joaquin Valley Bookfest 2024, Fig Garden Swim and Racquet Club, 4722 N. Maroa Ave., Fresno, California.
  • June 28-29, 2024, (time to be determined)
    At the Bushel & Peck booth, American Library Association Conference, San Diego, California.
  • September 26-29, 2024,
    Charloz International Oz Club Convention, Charlotte, North Carolina.

Watch various video recordings and interviews