Book WeekA celebration of children's literature

Donna Jo Napoli is the author of award-winning books for children as well as a prominent linguist, whose work ranges from mathematical analysis of folk dance to structures of American Sign Language. Born to Italian American parents, Napoli is best known for her emotionally gripping retellings of premodern folk and fairy tales, like Zel, The Magic Circle, The Great God Pan or Mogo, the Third Warthog, but her prolific work ranges across genres and formats. Most of her books deal with a loss or challenge and feature characters who develop the ability to overcome a disruption in their lives.