About Ellen Leventhal

I grew up in New Jersey and thought that everyone in Texas rode a horse. I was kind of disappointed when I realized I needed a car.
I’ve lived in Houston since 1983 and raised my two boys here. Now I am Nana to the most adorable little native Texans ever! Both their Pops and I agree.

I have been writing for as long as I can remember. When we were supposed to be doing math in school, I was writing poems about how I just wanted to write poems. I do NOT recommend that.
As a kid, I wrote stories and poems for almost every occasion. Some were decent, but most were pretty bad. That didn’t deter me.
I still like writing poems for family and friends.
I’ve been in education for more years than I’d like to say, and I still love working with kids.
I LOVE doing author school visits.

One of my great pleasures is wandering the aisles in book stores. I used to stop in book stores and say to myself “I could do that!”
And then…my friend Ellen Rothberg and I put the pedal to the metal and entered a contest for picture book writers. We won! Don’t Eat the Bluebonnets was our first book, followed by Hayfest, A Holiday Quest, and then Bully in the Barnyard.
I write short stories for both kids and adults. I giggle when I write my adult stories.
Did I mention I LOVE doing school author visits?

Aside from books, chocolate and dogs are among my favorite things.
Snakes are not. (Sorry, snake lovers, it’s just a fact.)
I like to travel and get inspiration from other cultures. But I over pack. Every time.
I am a Houston Astros fan.
Spending time with family and friends never gets old.
And of course, I LOVE school author visits!

Ellen in the News

Ellen was featured in the May 2023 Bellaire Buzz Magazine! Read the article at The Buzz Magazines.

Inspire your young readers and writers by inviting Ellen, children’s book author and educator, into your classroom.