About
While studying at a School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Kari Percival loved drawing seals and puffins at the zoo, and at Antioch New England Graduate School where she studied environmental science and teaching, she loved her tree communities class that met on the sides of local mountains. While teaching science in public school, she most loved bringing her students outdoors to study nature nearby.
In her books for young people, Kari seeks to share her love of learning outdoors and to inspire readers young and old to connect with the ecology where they live. Her illustrations are inspired by the wood-cut relief printmaking she also loves to do.
Kari Percival’s new picture book on amphibian conservation, SAFE CROSSING, from Chronicle Kids, is a Junior Library Guild as a Gold Standard Selection. Her debut picture book on gardening for toddlers, HOW TO SAY HELLO TO A WORM, published by Rise x Penguin Workshop, won an Ezra Jack Keats Award for Writer, CLEL Bell award, ALA Notable, and was selected for Dolly Parton Imagination Library. She lives outside Boston, MA, where she also co-directs Wonderland Spectacle Co. with her talented sweetheart Greg Cook.
PRESS
★— “Informative and beautiful.” – Kirkus Starred Review, 10/12, 11/15, 2024.
★— “Sumptuous in text and image… Percival celebrates the wonder of biodiversity—every pictured creature is marquee-worthy—alongside the passion and hard work that animate conservation efforts.” — Publishers Weekly Starred Review, 10/4/2024.
“[A]n inspiring and aspirational choice for youngsters looking to get more involved with bettering the world around them.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, 10/18/2024.
“[G]ently encourages kids to volunteer within their own communities.” – Booklist, 11/1/2024.
“★★★★★+ – This beautiful book is a must-buy for all elementary school classrooms and libraries.” —Stephanie Tournas, Youth Services Book Review, 11/9/2024.
“Readers will practically feel the spring rain on their shoulders..” – Book Page starred review 1/2025
HOW TO SAY HELLO TO A WORM:
“Percival conveys the joy children can feel working together, being outdoors, and eating food they’ve grown themselves -all with a fizzy immediacy.” – Publishers Weekly Starred Review, 12/16/2021
“A great guide to growing young gardeners!” Kirkus Reviews , 4/12-5/1, 2022.
“Earliest readers will love this deep dive (sometimes literally) into gardening, growing and learning.” – School Library Journal, 12/25/2022
“Wonder and delight are in joyful evidence,” Boston Globe Arts New England Literary News, 2/17/2022.
“Once you read this book you will get your hands dirty and grow something with your children.” – Shameer Reads, 4/6/2022
AWARDS
Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, SAFE CROSSING, 2024
2023 Blue Ribbon Selection, Dolly Parton Imagination Library
2024 Kentucky Blue Grass Award Nominee, Preschool, Kentucky Association of School Librarians
School Library Journal 2022 Science and Nature Books for Kids, 31 Days, 31 Lists, Betsy Bird, 12/2022
Favorite Picture Books of 2022, Let’s Talk Picture Books: Children’s Book Design and Illustration, 12/2022
TALK Award, 2023 CLEL Bell Picture Book Awards for Early Literacy, 12/2022
ALCS Notable Children’s Book Discussions, Nov. 2022
2019 NESCBWI R. Michelson Emerging Artist Award
2019 NESCBWI Peter Davis Emerging Illustrator Scholarship
2017 NESCBWI Four by Four Mentorship Program, Mentee with Author Illustrator Ashley Wolff
INTERVIEWS
Interview with Talented #KitLit Author/Illustrator Kari Percival, Carol Gordon Ekster, Writers’ Rumpus, 2/11/25.
Let’s Talk Illustrators #310 Kari Percival, Mel Schuit, Let’s Talk Picture Books, 1/28/2025.
Children’s Book Feature: How to Say Hello to Local Author-Illustrator Kari Percival, Cyrisse Jaffee, The Arts Fuse, Boston. 4/2023.
“If you’re gonna learn to garden, you need to know how to say hello to a worm.” Colette Lauture, NeighborhoodView, Urban Media Arts, Malden. 2/2023.
KidLit Connection: Getting to Know Author-Illustrator, Kari Percival Victoria K. Chapman, 6/2022.
Malden Author Releases Kids’ Book, The Blue and Gold. Mack Keating, 1/2022.
CLIENTS
Charles River Watershed Association
Mystic River Watershed Association
Sustainaville, Somerville MA.
Back Yard Growers, Gloucester, MA
Central New England Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
Fox Festival, Arlington Public Art, MA
HONK! Festival of Activist Street Bands, Somerville, MA
AS220 Foo Fest, Providence, RI
Somerville Arts Council, Somerville, MA
THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY: HOW TO SAY HELLO TO A WORM
When I was offered my own plot at the local urban community 
garden, I thought it would be fun to invite other families to learn to grow food together. As an environmental educator, I knew that for toddlers and preschoolers, digging in the dirt and growing plants for food could plant seeds for a life-long love of exploring the wonder of nature, hands-on science inquiry, environmental stewardship and joy in healthy eating.
As we gardened, I noticed what questions children and their parents had, and how we found the answers together. I wrote the picture book How to Say Hello to A Worm: A First Guide to Outside to inspire more kids and their parents to get their hands dirty growing food.
How to Say Hello to a Worm: A First Guide to Outside is available to order from your favorite local independent bookshop.