Jennifer O’Connell grew up in Darien, Connecticut and received her BFA degree in Illustration from Philadelphia College of Art (now known as The University of the Arts) in 1979. She was employed at “Unicorn Graphics” in Washington, D.C. before becoming a free-lance illustrator and designer. She now lives with her family in Bethesda, Maryland.

Jennifer is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and The Children’s Book Guild of Washington, D.C.

Jennifer’s book, Ten Timid Ghosts, was a New York Times Bestseller in 2000 for six weeks and in 2006 for ten weeks. It was a Publishers Weekly Bestseller in the fall of 2000 and 2006.

Her illustration honors include two Christopher Awards for Imagine That! Exploring Make-Believe, by Joyce Strauss and Promise Not To Tell, by Caroline Polese. A Garden of Whales, received The Vermont Publisher’s Association “Special Merit Award.” Jennifer also received The Strathmore Paper Company “Award of Excellence” for her stationery suite design for Chanterelle Caterers of Washington, D.C.