Children's book author, illustrator and speaker
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🖋️ About the Author
Scott E. Sutton – Creating “Vacations in Your Mind” for Kids Since 1985 Scott E. Sutton is a best-selling children’s book author, illustrator, and speaker who has been delighting young readers and their families for over four decades. With a background in commercial art and a deep passion for imagination, Scott brings color, rhyme, and meaning to every page he creates. Born in Santa Monica, California, Scott began his career as a commercial artist in 1971. It was during this time that he began developing a world unlike any other — the Family of Ree. What started as a series of paintings quickly grew into a beloved universe of books. By 1985, Scott had published the first Family of Ree book, and he’s been creating stories ever since. 🎨 A Different Kind of Children's Book Scott’s books aren’t about ninjas, lasers, or over-the-top fantasy battles. Instead, his stories are filled with kindness, cooperation, and creative problem-solving — the kinds of lessons that stick with a child for life. His books help kids learn how to treat others with respect, understand big ideas through rhyme, and enjoy the process of reading through fun, engaging artwork. “The underlying value in all my books is: treat others as you would like to be treated.” – Scott 📚 Books that Grow with Kids (and Grandkids!) To date, Scott has written and illustrated multiple series, including:
🎓 Inspiring Kids Through “Education Through Imagination” Since publishing his first book, Scott has visited schools, libraries, and bookstores across the U.S., speaking to more than 500,000 students and 80,000 educators. His workshops help children see the power of creativity, and his talks leave audiences laughing, thinking, and inspired to read more. ❤️ Why He Writes Scott’s own childhood wasn’t easy — but books gave him an escape, a safe and imaginative place to go. Now, he creates those places for kids everywhere. “These books give kids a place to retreat to — a vacation in your mind.” Want to bring Scott to your school or library? Click here to learn more about school visits » |
Author Interview
This is from an interview of Mr. Sutton by gallery owner Loretta Alvarado.
Loretta Alvarado: So, why did you write these books?
Scott Sutton: I had a "not so great" childhood and books were my escape. These books give a place for kids to retreat to, a place to go, a vacation in your mind.
Alvarado: What is special about them?
Sutton: The world of Ree is a very different place with unique characters and eco-system and instead of solving their problems with ninjas or guns they figure it out and fix it like regular people do.
Alvarado: How do they help parents?
Sutton: The books give parents an opportunity to create quality time with their kids and they are stories that the parents enjoy, too.
Alvarado: How do they help children?
Sutton: By using a high quality art and rhyme you overcome barriers to understanding. Kids understand easier and more quickly.
Alvarado: What do other people say about your books?
Sutton: I have sold over 80,000 Family of Ree books and my collectors love them so much that they are now giving them to their great grandchildren.
Alvarado: Why is incorporating values in your stories important?
Sutton: The underlying value in all my books is: "treat others as you would like to be treated". No civilization, country, state or family can exist long with out this value.
Alvarado: How do you inspire children to read and why is that important?
Sutton: Through the art and creativity. Many, if not most kids need visual input to not only be inspired but to learn. It is important because the more literate you are the easier your life will be.
Alvarado: How do the colorful illustrations help to get children reading?
Sutton: The art pulls them through the book and it illustrates what is going on so they get the visual along with the words.
Alvarado: What is so important about rhyme?
Sutton: It helps kids predict the next word (as teachers will tell you) and it helps them remember because the words have now become art.
Loretta Alvarado: So, why did you write these books?
Scott Sutton: I had a "not so great" childhood and books were my escape. These books give a place for kids to retreat to, a place to go, a vacation in your mind.
Alvarado: What is special about them?
Sutton: The world of Ree is a very different place with unique characters and eco-system and instead of solving their problems with ninjas or guns they figure it out and fix it like regular people do.
Alvarado: How do they help parents?
Sutton: The books give parents an opportunity to create quality time with their kids and they are stories that the parents enjoy, too.
Alvarado: How do they help children?
Sutton: By using a high quality art and rhyme you overcome barriers to understanding. Kids understand easier and more quickly.
Alvarado: What do other people say about your books?
Sutton: I have sold over 80,000 Family of Ree books and my collectors love them so much that they are now giving them to their great grandchildren.
Alvarado: Why is incorporating values in your stories important?
Sutton: The underlying value in all my books is: "treat others as you would like to be treated". No civilization, country, state or family can exist long with out this value.
Alvarado: How do you inspire children to read and why is that important?
Sutton: Through the art and creativity. Many, if not most kids need visual input to not only be inspired but to learn. It is important because the more literate you are the easier your life will be.
Alvarado: How do the colorful illustrations help to get children reading?
Sutton: The art pulls them through the book and it illustrates what is going on so they get the visual along with the words.
Alvarado: What is so important about rhyme?
Sutton: It helps kids predict the next word (as teachers will tell you) and it helps them remember because the words have now become art.
A Glimpse Behind the Scenes
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While filming videos about each of his books, Scott had plenty of polished takes — and some hilarious outtakes. This short blooper is one of our favorites. It captures his natural humor and the playful spirit that shines through in Death by Deinonychus and all his stories.
🎥 Want to see the full video where Scott talks about Death by Deinonychus? Watch the full video here › |
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