Joyce P. Uglow is the award-winning author of STUCK! The Story of La Brea Tar Pits. She writes picture books that celebrate topics from whales, bees, trees, and kindness to paleolithic cave art and fossil records trapped in asphalt seeps (and much more!). She is an active member of the Kidlit writing community. She maintains memberships with SCBWI, Julie Hedlund’s 12 X 12 Picture Book Challenge, the Writing Barn’s Courage to Create, Inked Voices, Mighty KidLit, The Writers Loft, and the Wisconsin State Reading Association. Her published poetry appears in poetry anthologies published by Pomelo Books, Hey Hey Publishing, Northern Loon Press, and The Dirigible Balloon. Joyce is represented by Liza Voges of Eden Street, LLC.
order Link for STUCK! The Story of La Brea Tar Pits from Bushel & Peck Books, a nonfiction picture book for ages 7-12. Excavations at La Brea reveal oozy, sticky asphalt seeps that surprised Ice Age animals that wandered in for a drink (or an easy supper). Stuck instead, predators and prey got mired in the muck! Trapped until unearthed, uncovered, unstuck – revealing stacks of climate science stories buried at La Brea Tar Pits. We are never stuck when we soak up what others share.
Nominee, 2025-2026 Keystone to Reading Elementary Book Awards, Intermediate List
My joyful experiences as a career educator move me to create heartfelt, curiosity-driven picture books and reach young writers where they are. Serving as an elementary school principal, co-teaching science, collaborating with school counselors, and using picture books to teach a multitude of content area topics and a range of ages, I write poetic picture books to spark questions and connect with kids as they change and grow their interests.
My portfolio is filled with the curiosities of bees, trees, and families to rocks, ancient cave art, and fossils. Nature intrigues me; my writing inspires children to stay curious.
I have taught elementary, middle, and high school students as well as students at the university and in professional development sessions for educators. I thoroughly enjoy writing and would love to share the joy of writing with your schools. Contact me! Let’s write!
My email address is jpuglow at gmail dot com
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