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 »
Tools for the Taking
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 »
Engaging the Picture Book Crowd
Here’s a short piece I wrote a couple of years ago. But it seems even more appropriate on the eve of World Read Aloud Day. Enjoy your reading, everyone! Engaging the Picture Book Crowd Whether it’s through quiet, cuddle time, conversation or comic relief, engaging the picture book crowd is a delightful task. I like… 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 »
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
