(1947-)

In addition to her work as editor at large for Penguin Books for Young Readers, Jane O'Connor has written a number of works of fiction of her own for children. Specializing in beginning readers with imaginative plots—reflected in such titles as Lulu and the Witch Baby, The Ghost in Tent Nineteen, Nina, Nina, Star Ballerina, Slime Time, and Snail City: O'Connor encourages students in the early grades to build their reading confidence and learn that reading is fun. In addition to her novels, which include several installments in the "Here Come the Brownies" about a fictitious Girl Scout troop, O'Connor has co-authored the award-winning nonfiction work Magic in the Movies: The Story of Special Effects, has contributed books about Henri Matisse and Mary Cassatt to the "Smart about Art" series, and has written an award-winning book about the first emperor of China—The Emperor's Silent Army: Terracotta Warriors of Ancient China.

Describes the archaeological discovery of thousands of life-sized terracotta warrior statues in northern China in 1974, and discusses the emperor who had them created and placed near his tomb.