Recently, at a bookstore signing event, I met an energetic and passionate Montessori teacher who shared with me her creative, hands-on Geography tool that also happens to be a perfect companion to my book Light Up the Night. Please welcome Pauline Meert and her fabulous Universe Nesting Boxes! I am a Montessori teacher to 20… Read more »
Tools for the Taking
Story Universe Writing Prompt for Young Writers
Recently in an interview about BUSY BUILDERS, BUSY WEEK! on the Mom Read It Blog I was asked – MRI: You’ve also written a book called ALL THROUGH MY TOWN that features animals as the main characters. Do you think these two books could take place in the same storytelling universe? Could the kids from… Read more »
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 to tell young readers that when we read a picture book, we don’t just decipher the words. We talk about it. We explore it. We discover it. We relate to it. We might move… Read more »
Busy Builders, Busy Week! Book Bash Day 2
Welcome, friends, to Day 2 of my BUSY BUILDERS, BUSY WEEK! Book Bash. In my latest book, each day of the week features a colorful cast of animal characters and a different construction activity as the digging, dumping and ‘dozing lead up to one stupendous surprise! So, it seemed only fitting that for a days-of-the-week… Read more »
My 1-3-1 Poetry Exercise
When I was a child, I loved reading poetry. But later in life when I learned to analyze and deconstruct poems, my passion faded. Poetry can be hard to decipher. And when you try too hard, the deciphering can bog you down. I developed this quick poetry exercise to help me read and think about… Read more »
Building a Charmingly Twisted World
Author, Jenny Goebel, will tell you she’s led a charmed life. But when you get to know her, you quickly understand her life has little to do with luck and everything to do with Jenny. She’s sweet, kind, caring and – most of all – talented. Today she’s talking about world building and her latest… Read more »
When Being “Too Pickley” Was “Just Right”
Last month I had the great honor of a virtual visit in the classroom of one of New Jersey’s finest teachers, Kevin McCann. Kevin brings out the best in kids. It shows in his amazing students, and – as you’ll see below – in his adorable sons. I know you’ll enjoy this peek into our… Read more »
Laurie Ann Thompson: Why dogs – and simple stories – are the best!
When I first heard about Laurie Ann Thompson’s latest picture book My Dog is the Best, I thought, “Brilliant! Simply brilliant!” – emphasis on the word “simply.” And the reviewers agree. “This simple, quiet story conveys the enduring bond between child and dog, with the added appeal of a joke that younger children just beginning… Read more »
Tuesdays for Teachers: “TOO” Cool Copycat Writing
Imitation may be the highest form of flattery, but it’s also a darn good writing tool. I call it “copycat” writing. Educators call it using a “mentor text.” If you’ve read my book LIGHT UP THE NIGHT, you realize that it was patterned after the classic THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT. The structure of the… 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 »
My Books
