In late 2014, a school contacted me about a week long literacy event it was hosting this month. Originally, organizers hoped to schedule virtual author visits throughout the week to go along with the program. But when scheduling became a nightmare, they came up with another idea. The Video Q&A! Classrooms brainstormed questions about books… Read more »
jean
Tuesdays for Teachers: TOO PICKLEY! Yucky and Yummy Plates!
I’m so excited about my new blog topic – TUESDAYS FOR TEACHERS! I’ll be saving my Tuesday blog spots to highlight fun ideas for using my books in the classroom. Some activities will come from my fabulous Curriculum Guides (which were created by award-winning teachers!) and others will come from activities I’ve used and experiences… Read more »
A Holly Jolly Picture Book Peek: Win a Free Critique!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! So for all my writer friends out there I’m holding a HOLLY JOLLY PICTURE BOOK PEEK MONDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2014 Win a free critique of a selected picture book manuscript. Here’s how it works: Sign up for a critique by entering your picture book WORKING TITLE in… Read more »
ALL THROUGH MY TOWN wins the Dutch Silver Pencil Award!
Yesterday I received a fabulous package from Bloomsbury – lovely prizes from the Netherlands. ALL THROUGH MY TOWN won the Dutch Silver Pencil Award – otherwise known as the Zilveren Griffel! Doesn’t that have a wonderful ring to it? And yes – over to the left – that’s a gorgeous silver pencil with my book… Read more »
Author Spots for Schools is in Session for the 2014-2015 School Year!
Here’s a great way to connect children’s authors and readers, and it’s a WIN-WIN-WIN for schools, authors and school book fairs everywhere! AUTHOR SPOTS FOR SCHOOLS! Author Spots are FREE mini-commercials created by children’s authors which schools can broadcast to promote their book fair to kids and parents. I’m not talking about anything fancy here… Read more »
Conrad Wesselhoeft, Author of DIRT BIKES, DRONES AND OTHER WAYS TO FLY, Talks About Place.
When I read Conrad Wesselhoeft’s DIRT BIKES, DRONES AND OTHER WAYS TO FLY – if you haven’t read it, do it NOW – I had to know how my friend, fellow author, and Seattle dweller was able to pull off a New Mexico setting so spectacular, I felt like I was riding on the back… Read more »
Happy Birthday to Me, an NYC Editor Critique for YOU, and the Gift of Literacy for ALL!
Happy Birthday to me … 8 months late. But no matter, I’m still 55 and it turns out that 55 is a very special number. It was the highest speed limit allowed in the United States between 1974 and 1986. So slow! It is the largest Fibonacci number to also be a triangular number. Whatever… Read more »
3 Critique Questions with Author Parker Peevyhouse
Recently, on the SCBWI Forum, a new children’s writer posted her doubts about her ability to critique manuscripts. My agancy-mate and fellow author Parker Peevyhouse offered her wise advice, which spoke to me as a critiquer and a writer. So I invited her to expand on her thoughts for my blog. I hope it speaks to… Read more »
Secret and Sensational Opportunity for Kidlit Writers Coming in Late August!
Whether you write picture books, chapter books, middle grade or young adult, stay tuned. I have a chance of a lifetime coming in late August. But I’m not ready to spill the beans quite yet. So polish up your favorite manuscript (Oops – now there’s a hint!) and hang on. August will be here before… Read more »
All In a Day’s Walk
One of my Top Ten Super Secret (so this one’s no longer a secret) Writing Tips that I share with students is DO NOT WRITE! As in, Step Away from the Computer, Unplug Shoot Some Hoops Take a Shower Go For a Run Get a Massage Strike a Yoga Pose Meditate Go For a Walk… Read more »
My Books
