News

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 »

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 »

TRUMAN Wins Parents’ Choice Gold Award!

In the “treats” category today – TRUMAN has been selected as a Parents’ Choice Gold Award Winner! Lucy Ruth Cummins and I are so VERY honored. No celebratory donuts handy. But then again, all that Halloween candy is just sitting there … hmmmmm. Here’s what they had to say: “Truman is a very small tortoise,… Read more »

Horn Book’s Lovely Review of TRUMAN!

I love when a reviewer so completely understands a book. Horn Book captures an element that many miss – that Truman’s journey parallels “a child’s own first journey into the unknown that is school.” Thank you, Julie Danielson for this lovely review! “Most picture books chronicling the first day of school focus on the small… Read more »

Introducing … TRUMAN!!!

I’m thrilled to introduce you to my latest book TRUMAN! Here’s where you can buy your copy: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound I’ll be celebrating and signing books at (click for more information): 7/14/19       The Boulder Bookstore, Boulder, CO, TRUMAN Launch Party 8/3/19        The Book Stall Bookstore, Winnetka, IL, TRUMAN Launch Party 8/24/19      Book People Bookstore,… Read more »