Joni Hirsch Blackman

Joni Hirsch Blackman wanted to be a writer from the day in fifth grade when her teacher suggested it to the good English student who always left Scholastic book day with a chin-high pile of paperbacks. 

Though dreaming of someday writing a book as magnetic as the ones she adored as a child that many of them still reside on a bookshelf in her home, Joni began her career in journalism. She worked as a reporter for newspapers and magazines large and small. She occasionally veered into writing for children--authoring Skating Superstars for Sports Illustrated for Kids books and pouring her heart into a few unpublished manuscripts — before deciding it was time to truly work toward that longtime goal. 

Her debut picture book for Chronicle, A Great Story That Sounded True, combines her love of humorous children’s books with her passion for supporting news literacy.

The Chicago native loves books, dogs, horses, Pilates, paddle boarding, Broadway musicals,  giving boat tours on the Chicago River … and newspapers. 

Joni is represented by Heather Cashman.