New York Times Book Review of "A Properly Unhaunted Place"

Kelly Murphy's latest chapter book, A Properly Unhaunted Place, written by National Book Award-winning author William Alexander was reviewed in The New York Times.

"'A Properly Unhaunted Place' begins evocatively, in a setting that is strange and full of questions. This fifth book from William Alexander, who won a National Book Award for "Goblin Secrets," creates an unsettling tone of mystery[...]"

"Helped by Kelly Murphy's provocative illustrations, peppered throughout the book, Alexander has created a cautionary tale and a profound and beautiful work. (My only complaint is that there are not enough illustrations to make them absolutely necessary - I'd have liked more of them, but this is a rather small criticism). This novel explores the very idea of books, the purpose of libraries and the rather large theme of why the present must embrace a relationship with the past. It reminds us that if we are not brave enough to live alongside the haunting past, then we risk becoming nothing more than ghosts, haunting the earth but never inhabiting it."

—Benjamin Alire Sáenz

"Anton and Cecil: Cats At Sea" reviewed in the New York Times

A splendid review of Kelly Murphy's latest chapter book, Anton and Cecil: Cats At Sea in the New York Times' Sunday Book Review:

"Kelly Murphy illustrates the story with occasional full-page black-and-white ink wash paintings. Though the restricted palette is disappointing after the subtle, rich hues of the book's colored jacket, the scenes depicted have their own drama: encounters with murderous rats and pirates, an iguana with feathers and Shakespeare-quoting dolphins. In keeping with the cat's-eye view of the world, Murphy's human figures look wooden - like marionettes or nutcrackers - while Anton and Cecil are all lithe grace and flashing eyes, leaping from dock to deck, or crouching behind wooden crates, ready to pounce on a fisherman's catch."

—Sarah Harrison Smith

Secrets At Sea a New York Times Notable Children's Book of 2011

Secrets At Sea was chosen by the New York Times as one of their Notable Children's Books of 2011:

"...Rife with snappy asides and clever but never heavy-­handed..."

-Elisabeth Egan

Secrets At Sea review by the New York Times

Secrets At Sea receives a laudatory review in the New York Time's Sunday Book Review:

"...Readers will never again look at a thimble without wondering if it might have been used as a milk cup or ink pot by an industrious British mouse..."

-Elisabeth Egan

Creepy Monsters, Sleepy Monsters review by the New York Times

A glowing review (and slideshow) of the recently released Creepy Monsters, Sleepy Monsters by the New York Times:

"...the narration benefits enormously from witty illustrations by Murphy ("Hush Little Dragon"), which abound in slithery, sinister asides: a stacking toy stacks on a bone; a Totoro-like ghost trails a larger figure. And googly-eyed monsters eat worm-ridden salad..."

-Pamela Paul

Masterpiece climbing on the New York Times Best Sellers List

Masterpiece climbs to number 7 on the New York Times Best Sellers List, Children's Bestsellers, Paperback Books List!

Masterpiece climbing on New York Times Best Sellers List

Masterpiece is back on the New York Times Best Sellers List, Children's Bestsellers, Paperback Books, rising to number 8!

Masterpiece on the New York Times Best Sellers List

Masterpiece is on the New York Times Best Sellers List!