Illustrator Profile
Joanne Lew-Vriethoff
17 Books
Joanne Lew-Vriethoff is an acclaimed illustrator of children's picture books and middle-grade chapter books. Her expressive and heartwarming artwork brings to life popular series such as Hilde Cracks the Case and the Make Way for Fenway! books. She frequently collaborates with celebrated authors to create visually engaging stories that promote themes of courage, love, and curiosity.
Fenway, the little dog with a giant personality, is ready to learn a brand new trick! When he sees another dog leap high into the air and catch a flying Frisbee, he knows he wants to do it too. But catching a Frisbee is much harder than it looks, especially for a small dog with short legs. Good thing Fenway is always willing to keep trying! He is determined to impress his humans with a very special trick of his own. This fun, easy-to-read chapter book is perfect for newly independent readers who love dogs and funny stories. With lively illustrations on almost every page, you will be eager to see what Fenway gets up to next.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
97 Pages
When twins Liza and Jeremy are frightened by a loud thunderstorm, they run to their mother for comfort. She tells them a wonderful secret about something called the Invisible String. At first, the children insist that is impossible, but they soon learn that this special string is made entirely of love. Even though you cannot see it with your eyes, you can feel it deep in your heart. It connects you to everyone you love, no matter how far away they are. This heartwarming and reassuring picture book helps children explore the unbreakable connections between family and friends. It is a comforting story that beautifully explains how love reaches across any distance to keep us together.
6-8 Years
44 Pages
Holly absolutely loves doing science experiments and learning new things in class. But when she finds out her next science project is making slime, she starts to feel very worried. Slime is made with glue, and glue is incredibly sticky. Holly has autism and experiences sensory issues, which means she does not like touching anything sticky at all! With gentle encouragement from her family and her teacher, Holly gets the help she needs to feel comfortable. Step by step, she finds the courage to give the slime experiment a try. This supportive picture book is a wonderful way to explore neurodiversity, understand sensory differences, and celebrate overcoming everyday challenges.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
A frustrating day can make anyone feel totally overwhelmed, but everyone wins when you choose peace. This gentle and clever story explores the unpredictable and intense feelings that pop up throughout childhood. Through simple, catchy rhymes, readers discover smart ways to deal with anger, irritation, and conflict. Instead of letting bad moods take over, you can learn to step back, take a breath, and find calm within yourself. The comforting words and lively illustrations show how to treat friends and family with compassion. It is the perfect guide to help you turn a tough day around and share a little peace with the world.
6-8 Years
29 Pages
Superheroes are always brave. They seek out wild adventures, never give up when things get tough, and manage to stay completely calm even when others are afraid. But superheroes are not the only ones who show courage. Kids just like you are brave every single day! You show bravery when you accomplish something big, when you check for monsters under the bed, or when you face something scary like a loud thunderstorm or a visit to the doctor. You are brave when you stand up for what is right. With encouraging words and vibrant pictures, this empowering story reminds you that you have what it takes to be a real-life superhero just by being exactly who you are.
6-8 Years
36 Pages
Today is Family Fun Day at the library, and a very special magician has arrived to put on a dazzling show! This is not your typical magic act. The magician invites the children to reach deep down into his tall hat to pull out whatever they can find. Suddenly, each child pulls out something much better than a rabbit. They pull out books that unlock their deepest dreams and biggest hopes for the future! Through the magic of reading, they discover that they can become whatever they want to be. This delightful and encouraging story reveals the awe-inspiring treasure hidden inside every book, showing readers that true magic happens the moment you turn the page.
6-8 Years
36 Pages
Fenway usually has a fantastic time visiting Nana with his favorite short human, Hattie. But this trip is completely different. There is a bird living inside Nana's house, and the craziest part is that it speaks human! Fenway is totally flabbergasted. He vows to keep Hattie safe from this loudmouth bird named Merlin, but Hattie actually wants them to be friends. Fenway cannot believe that a dog and a bird could ever get along. But when Merlin gets upset and Fenway figures out what is wrong, he realizes that maybe they can understand each other after all. Jump into another hilarious adventure with everyone's favorite giant-personality dog!
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
97 Pages
An Invisible String Lullaby
From the very first days of life, it can be hard to be apart from the people you love. This beautiful rhyming lullaby follows the milestone moments of a child growing up, showing that every little separation is always followed by a joyful reunion. Whether you are going to sleep, heading to school, or just playing in the next room, you are never truly by yourself. The magical Invisible String is always there, keeping you securely tied to the ones who care about you. This gentle and reassuring story establishes a wonderful pattern of comfort, reminding young hearts that love is a constant connection that lasts a lifetime.
6-8 Years
24 Pages
What exactly is love, and how do you show it? Do you need to buy fancy gifts, write long greeting cards, or share heart-shaped chocolates? It turns out that you can find love absolutely everywhere in your daily life! It lives in the small, everyday moments, like baking warm cookies with your grandma, finding a sweet note from your mom hidden inside your lunchbox, or singing songs together with your family on a long car trip. Love is not always what you expect it to be. This delightful and simple story beautifully explains why caring for others is so important and shows how you can easily spread kindness and joy every single day.
6-8 Years
35 Pages
Fenway just knows he is meant to roam freely off his leash, but it is not easy getting his short human to agree! One day while hiking in the woods, Fenway finally convinces Hattie to unclip him so he can run free with the other dogs and protect everyone from dangerous squirrels. He has an amazing time and always runs back for treats when Hattie calls. But the next time Fenway goes off-leash, things do not go exactly to plan. Hattie calls his name right when Fenway is busy chasing the biggest squirrel in the forest. When he turns around, Hattie is suddenly missing! Now Fenway has to figure out if he actually needs his leash to keep track of his favorite human.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
97 Pages
A Story Celebrating Love After the Loss of a Pet
When a beloved pet passes away, it can be very hard to say goodbye. That is exactly how Zack feels after his dog dies. His friend Emily tries to comfort him by explaining that an Invisible Leash connects our hearts to our pets forever, even when they are not with us anymore. Zack is not so sure he believes her, because he only believes in things he can see. But as he takes an enlightening journey through his neighborhood, he begins to feel the comforting tug of that very special leash. This tender and uplifting story celebrates the joy that animals bring to our lives and offers a gentle way to understand grief and the permanent bond of love.
6-8 Years
36 Pages
There is absolutely nothing better in the world than getting a brand-new bone! And for Fenway, there is nothing worse than sneaky squirrels trying to steal it away. Fenway knows he is much smarter than those fluffy-tailed thieves, so he searches the yard and finds the absolute perfect place to hide his precious prize. He buries it deep where no squirrel will ever find it. The only problem is that the hiding place might just be a little too good. Now, Fenway is having a tough time finding his own bone! This hilarious chapter book is filled with funny dog logic and lively pictures, perfect for newly independent readers looking for a great adventure.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
97 Pages
A bear is roaming the backyards of Selinsgrove, and nine-year-old crime reporter Hilde Lysiak is ready for the scoop. Hilde knows a major story when she hears one, so she grabs her notepad and teams up with her sister Izzy, the official photographer for the Orange Street News. Together, they set out to track the wild animal and discover where it came from.
Their exciting investigation quickly turns into a rescue mission when they realize the culprit is just a little black bear cub. Can Hilde crack the case and help the cub before someone gets hurt? This fast-paced mystery is inspired by real news stories and features engaging illustrations on every page, making it a perfect adventure for newly independent readers.
6-8 Years
96 Pages
A wild thunderstorm brings a small tornado ripping through the town of Selinsgrove in the middle of the night. Nine-year-old crime reporter Hilde Lysiak and her sister Izzy wake up ready to document the damage for the Orange Street News. Thankfully no one is hurt, but the storm has left behind a very strange mystery.
There are live fish flopping all over the streets and sidewalks of their neighborhood. How did aquatic animals end up so far from the water? Hilde knows she has to get to the bottom of this bizarre weather event. Filled with fast-paced investigative action and lively illustrations, this early chapter book takes you on a wild ride as the sisters follow the clues to solve the puzzle of the falling fish.
6-8 Years
96 Pages
Flames are blazing on Orange Street, and a local shop has completely burned down. Nine-year-old crime reporter Hilde Lysiak is on the scene to cover the story. The shop owner, Mrs. Brown, is convinced that her own candles started the terrible fire. She is so upset that she refuses to leave her house, which means the annual town pet parade might be canceled.
Hilde knows there is more to this story. Teaming up with her sister Izzy, she sets out to uncover what really caused the disaster. Can Hilde find the truth and crack this red-hot case in time to save the parade? Based on real news stories, this exciting early chapter book combines a fast-paced mystery with fun illustrations to boost your reading confidence.
6-8 Years
96 Pages
Alien fever has taken over the town of Selinsgrove after reports of a glowing UFO in the sky. Everyone is convinced an invasion is coming, but nine-year-old crime reporter Hilde Lysiak remains skeptical. She knows she needs solid facts for her newspaper, the Orange Street News.
When Hilde and her photographer sister Izzy investigate the area near Grove Pond, they stumble upon something shocking. They discover what looks exactly like the wreckage of a crashed spaceship. Suddenly, this ordinary mystery becomes an out-of-this-world adventure. Can the sisters gather the clues and figure out what really happened? Packed with exciting twists and fun illustrations, this thrilling early chapter book will keep you guessing until the very end.
6-8 Years
96 Pages
There has been a break-in on Orange Street, and someone is stealing baked goods. First, delicious cupcakes go missing, and soon a whole pie disappears. Nine-year-old crime reporter Hilde Lysiak is starring in her very first mystery, and she is determined to catch the thief.
Hilde and her sister Izzy grab their reporting gear to interview witnesses, follow the messy clues, and piece the facts together. Based on real news stories written by Hilde herself, this fast-paced adventure puts her super-sleuth skills to the ultimate test. Can she crack the case in time to post her news story online? With easy-to-read text and fun illustrations on every page, this early chapter book is perfect for growing your reading skills while solving a tasty neighborhood mystery.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
112 Pages
