Hello! Thank you for coming to find out more about my children’s books! Click on any of the links below to jump to the right section.
- Author Bio (80 words)
- Author Photos
- Book and Book Cover
- Agent Representation
- Past Interviews and Media Links
- Contact Information
Elayne Crain is a proud writer of childish things. Her debut book, There’s Something Odd About the Babysitter (illustrated by John Ledda), was selected as a Kids Indie Next List pick. When Elayne is not reading or writing, she loves walks in the woods with her sons and partner, photography and karaoke. Elayne serves as a regional volunteer for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators – Western Washington and is active in several writing communities. Learn more at elaynecrain.com.
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Book and Book Cover:
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My debut picture book (with illustrator John Ledda), “There’s Something Odd About the Babysitter,” was published by Feiwel & Friends at Macmillan, and was chosen as a Summer 2025 Kids’ Indie Next List pick.
“Freddie’s new babysitter is a bit strange–their mere presence scares the family dog, they eat literal garbage for dinner, and they look suspiciously like a stack of raccoons in a trench coat. But Freddie realizes there might be something special about the babysitter, too.”
Review Highlights (see full links below for more):
“Read. Laugh. Repeat.” – Kirkus Reviews
A Summer 2025 Kids’ Indie Next List pick!
“Told through deadpan text and very funny illustrations, There’s Something Odd About the Babysitter gives young readers a sweet and silly taste of the fantastic.” – “Ten New Children’s Books That Promise Page-Turning Adventures,” by Carolyn Carlson, LiteraryHub
Agent Representation:
I’m thrilled to be represented by Sean McCarthy of Sean McCarthy Literary Agency.
Interviews and Media Links:
The Picture Book Buzz: Interview with Elayne Crain + Book Giveaway
Kids’ Indie Next List pick, Summer 2025 (06/2025)
Lit Hub: “Ten New Children’s Books That Promise Page-Turning Adventures” (06/2025)
12×12 Featured Author for June, Elayne Crain: THERE’S SOMETHING ODD ABOUT THIS AUTHOR (06/2025)
Simply 7 with Elayne Crain: THERE’S SOMETHING ODD ABOUT THE BABYSITTER (05/2025)
Kirkus Reviews: THERE’S SOMETHING ODD ABOUT THE BABYSITTER (Read. Laugh. Repeat.) (03/2025)
“Elayne Crain – How I Got My Agent” interview, 12×12 Challenge (11/2023)
Elayne Crain: Signing with an Agent, A Milestones Met Interview with Bethany Hegedus (08/2023)
CtC Craft & Community: Sustaining an Author Newsletter’ panel with Patrice Gopo and Maria Marianayagam. Replay available Courage to Create members. (05/2023)
In my pre-kidlit life, I was no stranger to press, having appeared nationally on Season 16, Episode 12 of PBS’s Ask This Old House, where Tom Silva helped me turn an existing exterior door into a Dutch-style door. My fledgling startup food company, Austin Sugarworks, was also featured on several well-known blogs (including Oh, Joy! and DailyCandy), NPR affiliates, and several print magazines. Finally, I was interviewed on “Face Your Fears, the podcast!” about what it was like to move to Australia–and figure it out when you get there.
Contact Information:
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