“April showers bring May flowers.” How many times have we heard that? Interestingly, the rain stick project below is based on my book When the Snow Is Deeper Than My Boots Are Tall. And here in Colorado, we’ve got as much chance of April snow as we have April showers. But we’ve got the entire month… Read more »
picture books
Low-Tech, At-Home Learning: Sea Otter School
When sea otter Pup 681, Luna, was found, she was so young and so tiny, the Shedd Aquarium staff had to teach her how to act like an otter – it was almost like going to school. During my launch parties and book festivals for Pup 681: A Sea Otter Rescue Story, I invited young… Read more »
Low-tech, At-Home Learning: Decorative Dinosaurs
What kid doesn’t love dinosaurs? And so do most adults. But while kids are often ready with names and facts, there are some dino details that remain a mystery. Adapted from my book Time Out for Monsters!, this creativity project combines paleontology and art – perfect for all ages. You don’t need Time Out for… Read more »
Low-Tech, At-Home Learning: TRUMAN Finger-Play
Don’t we all love the amazing, free and fun programming offered by bookstores and public libraries? What a gift. But I know that with these community mainstays closed, families with little ones are missing their storytimes. Well, here’s a fun, storytime, finger-play activity (below) to practice with your young readers and listeners. It’s based on… Read more »
Low-Tech, At-Home Learning: A Pup By Any Other Name
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 »
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 »
My Books
