Jesse Joshua Watson

Jesse Joshua Watson (www.jessewatson.com) lives in Port Townsend, Washington, with his wife and their sons. He has traveled extensively developing a deep passion for sharing the beauty of the world's cultures. In addition to writing and illustrating books, exhibiting fine art, and teaching art to kids, Jesse plays soccer religiously, music occasionally, and surfs the chilly waters of the Northwest as often as he can.

In Jesse’s moving picture book, Hope for Haiti (G.P. Putnam’s Sons), a young boy finds solace and hope in the game of soccer during the aftermath of Haiti’s devastating earthquake. Cecilia Yung commented, “We are proud to be publishing this important picture book in support of the tragedy in Haiti. Joshua’s beautiful illustrations and thoughtful text capture the resilience of children and the vital role sports can play in bringing people together during times of need.”

Author and illustrator Jesse Joshua Watson said, “When I was young, my father worked as a designer for a humanitarian aid organization. He brought home many photos of kids in Haiti. I spent my childhood wishing there was something I could do to ease the people's suffering. When the earthquake hit, I was void of hope, until I found several pictures of children playing soccer amidst the chaos. And in this I found great hope for Haiti and the world, that even in the most tragic of circumstances, children are resilient and will overcome.”

Reviews

The Soccer Fence

"This gentle yet penetrating story underscores the power of sports to unite, while providing an overview of the seismic changes the 1990s brought to South Africa."—Publishers Weekly

 "Bildner and Watson offer young readers an informative snapshot of a divided land through the lens of boys who just want to play."—Kirkus Reviews