Warren Hanson

Warren Hanson is the illustrator of author Tom Hegg's classic Christmas Tea and PEEF books. He has also illustrated Reading With Dad, the touching story of family love written by Richard Jorgensen, and Rick Kupchella's warm and wacky children's book, Tell Me What We Did Today.

Warren has found great satisfaction and success in writing and illustrating books of his own. The Next Place has brought peace and hope to nearly 450,000 people all across the country since its release in the fall of 1997. He has also written and illustrated Older Love, Beginning, Raising You Alone and This House Will Never Be the Same. He is the author of Grandpa Has A Great Big Face. And his Haunted Hardware, now out of print, is still a favorite during his many visits to elementary schools.

Warren loves doing elementary school visits, and also does many programs for adults. He can be reached through the email link on this page, or at www.warrenhanson.com.

A native of Yankton, South Dakota, Warren now lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Houston, Texas.

Paw Prints in the Stars
written and illustrated by Warren Hanson
Tristan Publishing, 2008
ISBN 978-0-931674-89-1

They are our soulmates, our companions, and our friends. They mean more to us than the world will ever know. And when they finally go away, they leave behind Paw Prints in the Stars.

This beautiful book, with its sweet message of assurance for any grieving pet owner, is also a journal and keepsake. There are places to write memories, paste photos, and even a ribbon for attaching a precious pet’s tags.

"So when you find that you are missing me, just listen to your heart, And you will know that I am never very far.
Then stand outside, beneath the heavens, and look up to face the dark, And you will see my paw prints shining in the stars."

Bugtown Boogie
illustrated by Steven Johnson and Lou Fancher
Laura Geringer Books, 2008
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 9780060599379

I was strollin’ on home through the woods the other night,
When I saw something a-flashin'—it was shining mighty bright!
It was blinkin' and a-winkin' near the bottom of a tree,
So I scurried on over just to see what I could see.

On his way home, a little boy happens upon a magical door to a tiny bugtown where termites play the trumpet, centipedes dance, and the Queen Bee announces that everyone in her kingdom should "Boogie down!"

Warren Hanson's rhyming, rhythmic read-aloud, filled with bug sounds and dance moves, jives with Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher's rockin' art for jammin' insect adventure.

Kiki's Hats
written and illustrated by Warren Hanson
Tristan Publishing, 2007
ISBN 978-0931674945

Kiki's Hats is the lively story of a spunky and lovable woman who knits hats and gives them away. Oh, but it is also a story about you and me. Kids and adults. And how much FUN it can be to do something good for someone else. It doesn't have to be complicated or difficult. It can be as simple as knitting a hat. Or raking your neighbor's leaves. Or visiting someone who is sick. It could also be building a house for someone who needs it. Or raising a pile of money and giving it away. We each have the power to create something good that can last a lifetime—and beyond. That's the miracle of Kiki's Hats.

PEEF and the Baby Sister
written by Tom Hegg
illustrated by Warren Hanson
Waldman House Press, 2006
ISBN 978-0-931674-67-9

PEEF and the Baby Sister is the fourth book about this colorful, lovable little bear. When a new baby sister is born into the family, Peef and his best friend must interrupt their many adventures to learn what loving and giving and growing up are really all about.

Grandpa Has A Great Big Face
written by Warren Hanson
illustrated by Mark Elliott
Laura Geringer Books, HarperCollins, 2006
ISBN 978-0-06-078775-2

Grandpa Has a Great Big Face is a sweet, silly, charming story, perfect for a grandparent and a grandchild to read together. Compare the sizes of your noses, your ears, your hands, your feet, your tummies! And your heart. With lush and imaginative illustrations by Mark Elliott, this is a book that will be read and explored again and again.

Raising You Alone
written and illustrated by Warren Hanson
Tristan Publishing, 2005
ISBN 978-0-9726504-6-5

Raising You Alone is an essential book for any single-parent family. With heart and humor, it talks about the quirks and challenges that must be faced every day. A picture book for parents as well as children, this honest, engaging story is the perfect way to say, "I will always love you."

Tell Me What We Did Today
written by Rick Kupchella
Tristan Publishing, 2003
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0-9726504-0-3

Reading Guide available from Minnesota Storytime

Tell Me What We Did Today is about finding and celebrating the moments in a child's life — every day. The book is a fun and creative way for parents to capture the key moments of day-to-day life with their children. Throughout the zaniness of this unfolding day-in-the-life story, the book features stops for parents and children to fill in the holes with details from their day. Written in verse by Rick Kupchella, this book is destined to become many children's favorite.

PEEF and His Best Friend
written by Tom Hegg
illustrated by Warren Hanson
Waldman House Press, 2001
ISBN 978-0-931674-49-5

Peef the bear is left behind when his best friend goes to school, but when the boy tries to become popular by not being himself, Peef understands and comforts him.

Reading With Dad
written by Richard Jorgenson
illustrated by Warren Hanson
Waldman House Press, 2000
ISBN 978-0-931674-41-9

Reading together is a constant through the years in the relationship between this loving father and daughter.

Silent Night for PEEF
written by Tom Hegg
illustrated by Warren Hanson
Waldman House Press, 1998
ISBN 978-0-931674-35-8

On Christmas Eve, Santa returns to visit the multicolored teddy bear that he had made by hand the year before and finds him well worn and well loved.

The Next Place
written & Illustrated by Warren Hanson
Waldman House Press, 1997
ages 4 to adult, ISBN 978-0-931674-32-7

A classic, The Next Place brings gentle verse revealing a safe and welcome destination free from earthly hurts and filled with wonder and peace. A comforting message of hope and a gift of compassion for the bereaved.

PEEF The Christmas Bear
written by Tom Hegg
illustrated by Warren Hanson
Waldman House Press, 1995
ISBN 978-0-931674-26-6

A Christmas teddy bear made by Santa comes to life and yearns to belong and bring happiness to one small child.