Luna, the sea otter pup at the center of my story Pup 681 became a true celebrity when the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago teamed up with Good Morning America to hold a contest for her naming. But until she was named, she was referred to as “Pup 681” – the 681st otter to enter the otter… Read more »
jean
Low-Tech, At-Home Learning: Cities, Towns and Venn Diagrams!
Whenever I read my book All Through My Town to young listeners, I tell them that many of the details were inspired by the Chicago suburb where I grew up – Highland Park, IL. I call it a town. But it’s actually the City of Highland Park. So what’s the difference? The simple social studies activity… Read more »
Low-Tech, At-Home Learning: Yukky and Yummy Plates!
When we think of at-home learning, we can’t forget the younger set. Here’s a simple activity I did with kindergartners who were cracking up over my book TOO PICKLEY! You don’t need to have the book in front of you to do the activity, but it’s obviously more fun if you do. And you can… Read more »
Low-Tech, At-Home Learning: Color a Bedtime Quilt
Hi friends, I’m so thrilled that teachers and librarians are re-discovering my book LIGHT UP THE NIGHT. Because while it’s certainly a cumulative verse bedtime book, it’s also an early social studies, science and geography lesson about earth, space and a kid’s sense of place. And, interestingly, the activity below is a math activity and… Read more »
Low-Tech At-Home Learning: Create a Playground Blueprint
When we’re stuck inside, there may be no better time to dream about the great outdoors – walks in the park, riding bikes, a game of tag … and what about that perfect playground? All through my book Busy Builders, Busy Week! young readers find clues as to what our animal characters are constructing. They… Read more »
Low-Tech At-Home Learning: Truman’s Obstacle Course
Students at Emerson Elementary in Elmhurst, IL – under the direction of awesome librarian Lauren Blanford – were the first to try this fun activity. And it’s a perfect STEAM project to try at home. While it’s based on my book Truman, illustrated by the amazing Lucy Ruth Cummins, you don’t need the book in… Read more »
Low-Tech At-Home Learning: Onomatopoeia Poems
Hi all, In the middle of this global crisis, parents, teachers, caregivers, librarians, publishers, authors and illustrators are all rising to the challenge of at-home learning. I’ve been trying to do my part by supplying links to my FREE Curriculum, Activity and Storytime Guides linked to learning standards for all my books. But I also… Read more »
TRUMAN is a Charlotte Zolotow Honor Book!
With the grand ALA award celebrations swiftly approaching (and yes, I’ll be rising early to tune into the live stream of excitement) other awards sometimes get overlooked. One of those is the Charlotte Zolotow Award – it is one of the only major awards given for picture book text. Here’s the description from the award… Read more »
Appearances 2020
New appearances are added daily! 2/6/20 CCIRA Denver 10:30-11:30 Noticings Wondering and Listerner-Led Read Alouds 2/7/20 CCIRA Denver RMC-SCBWI Panel 4:00 2/10/20 Willowbrook School Visit, Glenview, IL 2/11/20 Westcott School Visit, Northbrook, IL 2/23/20 … Read more »
WHEN THE SNOW IS DEEPER THAN MY BOOTS ARE TALL is out today!
There’s something magical about snow – whether you’re rolling it, stomping it, or watching it from your window. I happen to LOVE snow. That’s why I’m so excited to reveal my latest book – out today. And I’m loving this Kirkus review! “… this snow ballad (with repeated and expanding chorus and onomatopoeic exclamations) sings:… Read more »
My Books
