After a recent Skype school visit, I received a fabulous file of “Best Book” reports from a phenomenal first-grade class … which reminded me, author studies and opinion pieces are not just for big kids. By reading, together as a class, several books by the same author – and maybe even scheduling a virtual visit… Read more »
News
Monday, Tuesday … Mentor Text Poetry
Early learners master days of the week quickly – and there are plenty of picture books that can help them do that – including my BUSY BUILDERS, BUSY WEEK! A days-of-the-week picture book can also serve as a fun mentor text or a basis for a calendar activity. Students – or the class all-together – can… Read more »
First the sprinkles, and now the cover!
Look what just went live! Another cover (and a peek at some pages)! I can’t wait for the world to meet TRUMAN – because it takes courage to see new sights, hear new sounds, think new thoughts … and go after what we love. Right? Illustrated by the amazing Lucy Ruth Cummins and edited by the… Read more »
Cover Reveal: PUP 681
Back in 2015, I received this incomparably sweet illustration from my agent, Erin Murphy. Her message: “What would you think about writing this otter pup’s story?” AWWWW! I soon learned that the art was inspired by an actual rescued sea otter pup living at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago – a place I LOVE. So… Read more »
Appearances 2018
2/1/18 Elizabeth Green Elementary School, Newington, CT, Virtual Visit 2/1/18 Providence Elementary School, Aubrey, TX, Virtual Visit 2/1/18 Palencia Elementary School, St. Augustine, FL, Virtual Visit 2/13/18 Tuckahoe Common School District, Southampton, NY, Virtual Visit 2/14/18 … Read more »
Get ready for World Read Aloud Day … or everyday!
February 1st is World Read Aloud Day! Hooray! But there’s no need to limit your read aloud talent to one day of the year. Take every opportunity, all year long, to read with young readers or listeners. Whether it’s cuddled up on your couch, at a library, in a bookstore or via the internet, you… Read more »
Write When You Least Expect To – Take 2
Hello again! It’s been a while. And rather than blog my list of excuses for not blogging, let me just say, it’s nice to be back. After a not-so-restful night of sleep, a morning of exercise and errands followed by an afternoon at the soup kitchen, I predicted that not much writing was going to… Read more »
ALL THROUGH MY TOWN to hundreds of kids!
Today, in my inbox – “Dear RMC Members! We are excited to share the news that BookBar Denver will be donating over 2500 children’s books by RMC SCBWI authors to local schools! Don’t blink! When BookBar says they want to get something done, they move fast. This month, BookBar Denver set a goal to get… Read more »
I can’t wait for the world to meet TRUMAN!
Here’s my latest news: Emma Ledbetter at Atheneum has acquired world rights to Truman, a picture book written by Jean Reidy (l.) and illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins, about an ordinary little tortoise and the day that everything changes, when he has to find his most extraordinary self. Publication is set for summer 2019; Erin… Read more »
Tuesdays for Teachers: The Inside Out Quiz
The Inside Out Quiz Author Skype Session by Ashley Daniels I am blessed with the opportunity to student teach twenty-six wonderful second graders. One goal I set for myself while finishing my degree was to bring technology into the classroom in a tangible way. With 21st century technology available, I decided to use Skype to… Read more »
My Books
