Toni Buzzeo

Children’s book author Toni Buzzeo is the creator of The Sea Chest and Dawdle Ducking, two picture books for young readers.

Buzzeo was raised in Dearborn, Michigan and moved to Maine 23 years ago. She holds a Masters degree in English from the University of Michigan and a Masters degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Rhode Island. She has worked as a high school and college English teacher, a public children’s librarian, and a school library media specialist. Currently, she is a Library Media Specialist at Longfellow School in Portland, Maine. Buzzeo was named the 1999 Maine Library Media Specialist of the Year. She lives in Buxton, Maine amid wild turkeys and black flies with her husband, Ken Cyll, her son, Chris Cyll, 19.

Her first book, The Sea Chest (Dial Books for Young Readers, September 2002) (ages 5-up), is set on a fictional midcoast Maine island and is based on the Maine Hendricks Head Light baby-in-the-sea chest legend. The book, illustrated in oils by Minnesota artist Mary GrandPré who has also illustrated the popular Harry Potter novels, is both Maine historical fiction and a touching adoption story. The title earned Buzzeo the 2000 Barbara Karlin Grant for Picture Book Writing from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. It has been chosen as a Junior Library Guild selection and will be featured in Scholastic Book Fairs

Her second book, Dawdle Duckling (Dial Books for Young Readers, January 2003) (ages 2-6) is the story of a small duckling who swims to the beat of his own drummer–until danger threatens. The book, illustrated in pastels by California illustrator Margaret Spengler, is a cheerful reassuring tale of youthful rebellion and parental protection–with an exciting surprise ending.

She is also the author of four professional books: Terrific Connections with Authors, Illustrators, and Storytellers: Real Space and Virtual Links, co-authored with Jane Kurtz (Libraries Unlimited 1999), 35 Best Books For Teaching U.S. Regions, co-authored with Jane Kurtz (Scholastic Professional 2002), Collaborating to Meet Standards: Teacher/Librarian Partnerships for K-6 (Linworth, March 2002), and Collaborating to Meet Standards: Teacher/Librarian Partnerships for 7-12 (Linworth, September 2002).