Dear Friends, I find it hard to believe that a year has already passed since I moved to Chicago. I’m loving life in the Windy City and planning to stay a while. I’m also finding that new sights, new sounds and new people all lead to new thoughts. Chicago is a great place to keep… Read more »
writing
Empowering Readers to be the Authors of Their Own Stories
My latest book, WHAT WOULD YOU DO IN A BOOK ABOUT YOU? encourages readers to explore their hopes and dreams and empowers them to be the author of their own life stories. That feels like a tall order … until you ask a kid. Young readers will happily comply. They are natural storytellers. And with… Read more »
Low-Tech, At-Home Learning: Your Traveler’s License and Postcards
In my book Light Up the Night, a child ventures all through his universe – all the way from his galaxy to his bedroom. And his beloved red and white blanket becomes his rocket, his spaceship, his truck, his train, his plane, etc. as he travels. What a wonderful dream for any child. Well, let’s… Read more »
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 »
Connecting with Authors – Bringing Literacy to Life
Ellie Rumney is a library media specialist extraordinaire from Rhinelander, Wisconsin. Her heartfelt post gave me goosebumps. Yes, small moments can provide endless inspiration. Thank you, Ellie! Connecting with Authors – Bringing Literacy to Life by Ellie Rumney The joyful faces of student connecting an author to a book is a priceless sight. On one… Read more »
Young Writer’s Workshop – The Persuasive Piece!
Molly Baldwin, 2nd Grade Teacher at Carl T. Mitnick School in Cape May, NJ, knows how to make writing come alive for her students. How do you make a persuasive writing assignment extra fun? Tie it to some wacky and wild picture books! YOUNG WRITER’S WORKSHOP – THE PERSUASIVE PIECE by Molly Baldwin For the… Read more »
Tuesdays for Teachers: “This Is My Universe” Mentor Text Poetry
Today, I’m proud to feature another guest post by another amazing teacher. Heather Natale and her 2nd graders captivated me with their honest, deep and stunning free-verse poetry. This is an exercise to note and use over and over again in classrooms of any age as a perfect introduction into the depth and breadth of… Read more »
Tuesday for Teachers: “Time In” and “Time Out” Corners
One of the greatest pleasures of my school Skype visits is meeting amazing teachers. Susie Gruben, a first Grade teacher at Strawberry Park Elementary School in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, is one such teacher. Take a look at how she used one simple picture book to touch on 8 – you heard me, 8! – academic… Read more »
Zeroing in On an Idea: Using LIGHT UP THE NIGHT as a Mentor Text
In my picture book LIGHT UP THE NIGHT, a child uses his imagination and his blanket to travel through his universe before bed. The child’s blanket, white and red, represents the themes of the book – security and a sense of place. By zeroing in on a significant object in their lives, students can explore… Read more »
Robots and Rust Monsters: Anna Staniszewski on Developing a Picture Book Idea
In the world of picture book writing, much attention is given to idea generation. But so little is said about the actual process of writing the book. Today, friend and fellow author, Anna Staniszewski, shares her journey from a nugget of an idea – a brilliant one at that – and the dreaming, building and… Read more »
My Books
