📖 Overview
Susan Stevens Crummel is an American children's book author known for her collaborations with her sister Janet Stevens, an illustrator. Her works frequently feature clever wordplay, humorous storytelling, and creative reimaginings of traditional tales and concepts.
After working as a high school mathematics teacher for over 20 years, Crummel transitioned to writing children's literature in the 1990s. Her mathematical background often influences her work through the incorporation of counting, problem-solving, and logical thinking elements in her stories.
Notable books by Crummel include "Cook-a-Doodle-Doo!", "And The Dish Ran Away with the Spoon", and "Help Me, Mr. Mutt!", all created in partnership with Janet Stevens. These works have received recognition including state reading list selections and children's choice awards.
Crummel frequently visits schools and libraries to conduct workshops on writing and the creative process. Her educational background has shaped her approach to children's literature, resulting in books that often blend entertainment with subtle learning opportunities.
👀 Reviews
Readers praise Crummel's books for their educational value while maintaining child engagement. Parents and teachers note the books work well for classroom read-alouds, with many citing "Cook-a-Doodle-Doo!" as effective for teaching measurement concepts.
What readers liked:
- Clear explanations of concepts
- Integration of math and problem-solving
- Humor that appeals to both children and adults
- Sister Janet Stevens' illustrations
- Interactive storytelling elements
What readers disliked:
- Some found the stories too long for younger children
- Text density on certain pages
- Price point higher than similar picture books
Ratings across platforms:
Amazon: Average 4.7/5 across all titles
Goodreads: 4.2/5 average
- "Cook-a-Doodle-Doo!": 4.3/5 (2,100+ ratings)
- "And The Dish Ran Away with the Spoon": 4.1/5 (1,800+ ratings)
- "Help Me, Mr. Mutt!": 4.0/5 (900+ ratings)
One teacher reviewer noted: "My first graders request these books repeatedly - they don't realize they're learning while laughing."
📚 Books by Susan Stevens Crummel
Ten-Gallon Bart - A sheriff dog protects his town from a cattle-rustling bandit.
Help Me, Mr. Mutt! - Through letters, an expert dog gives advice to troubled canines about living with cats.
Cook-a-Doodle-Doo! - A rooster and his friends attempt to recreate their great-grandmother's strawberry shortcake recipe.
And The Dish Ran Away with the Spoon - Fork, Knife, and Spoon search for their missing friend who has disappeared with Dish.
Ten-Gallon Bart Beats the Heat - A sheriff dog tries various methods to stay cool during a desert heat wave.
The Great Fuzz Frenzy - Prairie dogs discover a tennis ball in their burrow and become obsessed with its fuzzy coating.
Big Bad Bruce - A large bear who enjoys bullying smaller animals gets transformed into their size by a witch.
Ten-Gallon Bart and the Wild West Show - A sheriff dog participates in a traveling Wild West show.
Jackalope - A young rabbit wishes to be different and receives magical antlers from a fairy.
Little Oh - A paper origami girl embarks on a journey to find her mother.
Help Me, Mr. Mutt! - Through letters, an expert dog gives advice to troubled canines about living with cats.
Cook-a-Doodle-Doo! - A rooster and his friends attempt to recreate their great-grandmother's strawberry shortcake recipe.
And The Dish Ran Away with the Spoon - Fork, Knife, and Spoon search for their missing friend who has disappeared with Dish.
Ten-Gallon Bart Beats the Heat - A sheriff dog tries various methods to stay cool during a desert heat wave.
The Great Fuzz Frenzy - Prairie dogs discover a tennis ball in their burrow and become obsessed with its fuzzy coating.
Big Bad Bruce - A large bear who enjoys bullying smaller animals gets transformed into their size by a witch.
Ten-Gallon Bart and the Wild West Show - A sheriff dog participates in a traveling Wild West show.
Jackalope - A young rabbit wishes to be different and receives magical antlers from a fairy.
Little Oh - A paper origami girl embarks on a journey to find her mother.
👥 Similar authors
Mo Willems writes picture books featuring animal characters in everyday situations with humorous dialogue. His Elephant & Piggie series uses simple text and expressive illustrations similar to Crummel's storytelling style.
Jan Thomas creates books with bold illustrations and repeated phrases that encourage audience participation. Her work features farm animals and monsters in comedic scenarios with rhythmic text patterns.
David Shannon tells stories about childhood experiences and mischievous behavior through first-person narratives. His illustration style combines exaggerated characters with relatable situations that mirror Crummel's approach to visual storytelling.
Kevin Henkes writes picture books about mice characters dealing with common childhood emotions and experiences. His stories incorporate elements of humor and friendship while maintaining clear narrative structures.
Laura Numeroff develops circular stories with cause-and-effect sequences featuring animal protagonists. Her If You Give... series uses predictable patterns and builds anticipation through connected events.
Jan Thomas creates books with bold illustrations and repeated phrases that encourage audience participation. Her work features farm animals and monsters in comedic scenarios with rhythmic text patterns.
David Shannon tells stories about childhood experiences and mischievous behavior through first-person narratives. His illustration style combines exaggerated characters with relatable situations that mirror Crummel's approach to visual storytelling.
Kevin Henkes writes picture books about mice characters dealing with common childhood emotions and experiences. His stories incorporate elements of humor and friendship while maintaining clear narrative structures.
Laura Numeroff develops circular stories with cause-and-effect sequences featuring animal protagonists. Her If You Give... series uses predictable patterns and builds anticipation through connected events.