Category Archives: Uncategorized

All-A-Flutter with Christine Van Zandt

Milkweed for Monarchs cover, written by Christine Van Zandt and illustrated by Alejandra Barajas (Beaming Books, ©2024)

As a burgeoning environmentalist, I have become increasingly interested in pollinators which are vital to our ecology.   Specifically focusing on my local ecology here in Gaithersburg, I was fortunate to have the help of Nature Forward’s GreenKids program in creating our first pollinator garden with our Green Team, and we have continued to expand our pollinator gardens throughout our school’s courtyard.  Always on the lookout for good environmental books to add to my library collection, and to use in my lesson plans, this spring I connected with Christine Van Zandt, who wrote, Milkweed for Monarchs (Beaming Books, ©2024).

Milkweed for Monarchs is a wonderful resource for young lepidopterists. The rhyming text follows the life of the female Monarch butterfly, while the additional facts add to the depth of learning.  Did you know, for example, that the process of emerging from the chrysalis is called eclosion?

The bright and beautiful illustrations, digitally rendered by Alejandra Baraja, significantly add to the level of the reader’s understanding.  The spreads where she illustrated how the chrysalis transforms in the pupa stage are fascinating.

In the backmatter, author Christine Van Zandt reminds us how important Monarch butterflies are to our ecosystem, that we humans are important to their survival, and that there are four simple ways that we can help them. A selected bibliography is included for those who would like to learn more as part of their environmental education and advocacy.

Interior spread from Milkweed for Monarchs written by Christine Van Zandt and illustrated by Alejandra Barajas, Beaming Books ©2024.

When creating lesson plans for my elementary students, I pull together a variety of resources, almost always with a picture book as the anchor text. I found some wonderful videos to accompany Milkweed for Monarchs and utilized the Beaming Books Discussion Guide for Parents and Educators as well.  Feel free to create a copy of my Monarch Butterfly lesson slides linked here to use with your students and young lepidopterists.

Please enjoy my interview with Christine Van Zandt that follows.

Who encouraged or inspired you to become an author?

Just as some people need to run or paint, I need to write. My dad encouraged me to change from majoring in business (a seemingly practical choice) to English literature because he knew writing was an integral part of me.

He believed that since we spend huge amounts of time at work, we should pursue careers doing things we love, choose something that makes us happy. (Thanks, Dad!) Because of his advice, my career path led me to becoming an editor and writer. Whether I’m helping someone with their book or writing my own, I enjoy what I do every day!

What is your writing space like? 

We live in a small place so my writing area is in the middle of it all. Fun fact: I have a disco ball hanging behind my monitor!

What was your inspiration for writing?

During the pandemic, we bought our first milkweed plant, vaguely aware that milkweed somehow helped butterflies. Soon we had eggs and caterpillars but none of them made it to butterflies—they were eaten by raccoons, birds, the small ones carried off by ants.

I wanted to know all I could about monarchs and was shocked to find our western monarch was near extinction. I grew up in Northern California; my family went to the coast to see the trees cloaked with monarchs overwintering here. That was magical! However, the monarchs’ population had dropped from millions to a couple of thousand! If I had realized this, I would have planted milkweed sooner. As much as I wanted to write a book kids would enjoy, I also wanted the adults to learn how critical it is for anyone who’s able to plant some milkweed and to not use pesticides in their yards.

What do you love most about the cover art and illustrations in your book?

The illustrator, Alejandra Barajas, did an amazing job—I love it all! The cover is gorgeous and all throughout her bright, upbeat, colorful art accurately depicts the various stages of a monarch’s life.

How (or in what ways) do you hope librarians will promote your books?

I hope that librarians, educators, and anyone looking for activities and lesson plans finds the wonderful Educator Guide that’s available for free at Milkweed for Monarchs | Beaming Books. This six-page illustrated guide provides fun and educational activities that kids will enjoy.

I also hope that more milkweed gets planted because the western monarch really needs our help.

Who is the reader you are writing for? Please describe them.

I’m hoping to reach that kid, who like me, enjoys learning about insects and digging in the dirt. There are countless things going on that we don’t notice until we stop and watch. It’s exciting watching all the interactions. In our yard, there’s often a dominant male monarch butterfly that protects his territory. He allows females into the area to lay eggs on his milkweed plants. Hunting around to find eggs is a thrill. Caterpillars go through so many changes and they’re very active. I’m still surprised where they turn up. We’ve had chrysalises in the strangest places. If you’re someone who appreciates bugs and plants, then I’m absolutely writing for you.

But also I hope to reach readers who may not realize that monarch caterpillars, like koalas or pandas, can only eat one type of food (milkweed). That’s why the title of the book is Milkweed for Monarchs. Without milkweed, the monarch cannot continue.

What is one (or more) thing(s) that you really want your readers to know about you?

Our yard is small (many plants are in pots), but the garden is my happy place, nurturing all kinds of life. I have a lot of milkweed for the monarch caterpillars and flowers for the butterflies. This year, I added heirloom tomatoes. The first to ripen were sweet and delicious yellow cherries. Nothing beats a freshly picked and sun-warm tomato.

Which book review or award has been most meaningful to you?

Every review matters to me because book reviews really help authors. I post as many reviews of books as I can because I know that a few minutes of my time makes a difference to that author and their book.

Milkweed for Monarchs has recently been shortlisted for two prestigious awards. Both nominations are exciting. There are many amazing books. Having my book recognized means so much to me.

What message do you have for your readers?

We can’t do everything but we can do something. Find your “something” and put your heart into it.

Christine, thanks so much for writing this beautiful book (and for Alejandra’s vibrant illustrations)!

You’re so kind! I appreciate it.

Want to learn more about Christine?  Explore the links below!

Christine Van Zandt’s website: Christine Van Zandt

Goodreads with Ronna blog interview: An Interview with Author Christine Van Zandt

SCBWI-LA  Kite Tales:  The Sue Alexander Grant is Open for Submissions! | Kite Tales

Follow Christine on the socials here: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter/X

John Schu: Connector of books, readers, empathy, understanding, and joy!

The first thing you notice about John Schu is his smile and the joy that emanates from him. Ask him about what he’s reading, and that smile will widen and he’ll tell you all about it, including how good it smells. In 2011 he was named a Library Journal Mover and Shaker for “his dynamic interactions with students and his passionate adoption of new technologies as a means of connecting authors, illustrators, books, and readers.” He has never stopped being a Mover and Shaker in children’s literature – just follow him on social media and you will see him spotlighting all of the authors and illustrators of the books he reads. He is the children’s librarian for Bookelicious, a part-time lecturer at Rutgers University, and shares his love of reading with countless librarians, educators, and students around the world.   

I am thrilled that John Schu will be bringing his important book, Louder Than Hunger, to the 15th Annual  Gaithersburg Book Festival on May 18th at Gaithersburg’s Bohrer Park.  John will be presenting along with Nicole Melleby (Winnie Nash is Not Your Sunshine) in the Nash Young Adult Pavillion beginning at 10:15 am.

Photo Credit: Saverio Truglia

John, I met you several years ago, when you were the Ambassador of School Libraries for Scholastic Book Fairs and I enjoyed seeing your genuine book joy then, and how you continue to share joy to this day.  When did you develop your love of, and for, books?

John Schu: Thank you! I always love celebrating stories and books! 

In Louder Than Hunger, Jake thinks about his favorite books a lot. 

This is a passage from pages 173-174. 

Grandma bought me 

Goofy’s Big Race

from the grocery store

when I was six or seven. 

She used a coupon. 

Slow and steady,

steady and slow,

that’s the way to go.

I asked her to read it aloud

over

and

over

and 

over 

again.

Until I memorized it. 

Slow and steady,

steady and slow,

that’s the way to go.

Until it crawled inside my heart

and rested there. 

_________________

Goofy’s Big Race hooked me on reading. It’s tattooed on my heart. 

Louder Than Hunger has had many wonderful, truly outstanding, reviews.  Which has been the most important or meaningful to you?

John Schu: I’m so, so, so grateful for all the outstanding words of praise. 

The most meaningful praise has come in the form of letters from middle schoolers and high schoolers. 

They are sharing their hearts with me. 

They tell me about their favorite parts of the book. 


When they cried. 

How they have struggled with a negative voice in their heads. 

How they better understand what it might feel like to have an eating disorder. 

How they’ve developed more compassion by spending time with Jake. 

You have been very open with your struggles with an eating disorder, and that Louder Than Hunger is a memoir in many ways.  How are you doing today?

John Schu: In Louder Than Hunger, Counselor Ruth says to Jake,

Therapy is a chance to talk with someone about the things that are important to you in an effort to make your life easier, better, and more fun.

I’m living a life that is easier, better, and more fun! 

In your NPR interview you mentioned that the Voice went from having a capital “V’ to a lowercase “v”.  Does the voice ever disappear completely in both Jake’s life, and yours?

John Schu: Thank you for listening to my interview with Scott Simon. It was such an honor to chat with him.

Sometimes I struggle with a lowercase v. Thanks to therapy and strategies that I incorporate into my daily life, I talk back to the voice and figure out why it is talking to me. 

The interactions between Jake and his grandmother were some of my favorites.  Thank you for spotlighting the special bond between grandparents and grandchildren.  What do you think your Grandmother would say to you, had she been alive to read your book and see its widespread acceptance and acclaim?

John Schu: Oh my goodness! This question makes me weepy! 

I think she would say . . . 

You are healthy.

You are loved.

You are strong.

You are determined. 

You are fulfilling your dreams…

(Note: The You are . . . structure will make more sense after you read Louder Than Hunger.) 

Last year, Jarrett Lerner’s novel in verse, prose, and illustration about body dysmorphia, A Work in Progress*, published in 2023 and has had similar success to Louder Than Hunger … why do you think that both books have been embraced so completely? 

John Schu: In the short time Louder Than Hunger has been out in the world, I’ve received MANY email messages from family members of males who are struggling with anorexia and bulimia. I think both books are being embraced by readers of all ages because many people are ready to have these important conversations about disordered eating and mental health.

*(Jarrett was a featured author at the 2023 Gaithersburg Book Festival, where I moderated a panel discussion with two other middle grade authors.  I also interviewed him for my blog  Thankfully, We’re All Works In Progress)

Who is your cover illustrator, and what are your thoughts about the cover art?  Does it express what you hoped it would?

John Schu: I’m SOOOOOO grateful for Grady McFerrin, the cover illustrator, and Maria T. Middleton, the cover designer. The cover—the entire package—expresses everything I hoped for and more! The cover pops on a shelf! It makes me smile! 

Lastly, what message do you have for the readers of your books, specifically Louder Than Hunger, but also your picture books, This is a School and This is a Story?

John Schu: The words connect and connection are always on my heart and mind when I write. 

I hope my books help readers make connections. 

I hope they help build empathy and understanding in readers of all ages.

I hope they help facilitate necessary conversations about schools and libraries and poetry and mental health.

I hope my books inspire readers to write their own stories. 

Thank you, John, for taking time to answer these questions for me!  I look forward to meeting you in May at the Gaithersburg Book Festival, where I will be introducing you and Nicole Melleby.

John Schu: Thank you so much! See you in Gaithersburg! 

Nicole Melleby is a Ray of Sunshine at GBF #15

As a longtime committee member of the Gaithersburg Book Festival, this time of year is such a special time for me – so many wonderful authors and illustrators descend on Bohrer Park and I get to meet them in person, listen to their presentations, and learn about their creative process.  Such fun for this book-loving librarian! 

I will be introducing both Nicole Melleby and John Schu, who will be featured authors presenting together at 10:15 am in the Ogden Nash Pavilion. After reading Melleby´s Winnie Nash is Not Your Sunshine, I reached out to her for an interview. Booklist describes this middle grade novel as “a tearjerker with heart—a triumphant exploration of lesbianism, extended family, and miscarriage from the eyes of a young, would-be sibling,” – and I would add, exploring depression and the basic need to feel safe and loved.

Can you share your journey to becoming a children’s author?
When I was eight, I saw the Nickelodeon movie Harriet the Spy. I was obsessed, I loved everything about it, but I especially loved the main character, Harriet, and the way she always carried around a notebook to write things in. I used to beg my parents to buy me marble composition notebooks just like the one Harriet had every time they went to a store that carried them, and I would fill those notebooks up with everything. I started off by taking notes about the people around me much like Harriet did while spying, and from there I started writing stories instead. I’ve been writing stories ever since.

The movie also gave me this quote, which I’ve kept in mind ever since, and speaks to why I keep writing: “You know what? You’re an individual, and that makes people nervous. And it’s going to keep making people nervous for the rest of your life.”

Many of your books deal with LGBTQ+ kids discovering their sexuality and understanding their identities. Winnie Nash is Not Your Sunshine has received many wonderful reviews. Kirkus Reviews described it as, “A powerful, emotional look at queerness, pride, and what it truly means to feel held.”  How does this make you feel?

It makes me feel good, of course it does, especially when we’re in an atmosphere right now where LGBTQ+ books like mine are being more and more challenged and banned by school boards all over the place. Getting good reviews is always nice, but now it almost feels like extra validation when someone tries to say that an LGBTQ+ middle grade book “has no literary merit” (a true quote from a school board challenging books of mine) or has no place on a child’s shelves. But I think Kirkus got it right, it got right to the point of what I wanted to do with this book: give a child reader the chance to feel held right alongside Winnie.

Were Winnie’s experiences and feelings reflective of your own growing up? 

Unlike Winnie, I didn’t know I was queer at a young age, but like Winnie, I grew up on the Jersey Shore, looking across the bay at New York City, wondering what it would be like to get there someday. And while I was a lot younger than Winnie and it didn’t affect my life as much as it affects hers, my mom also struggled with miscarriages before my younger brother was born. Winnie, overall, is a sad, confused, angry kid, and I think that I let her feel all of the things I felt at various times; I didn’t want to hold anything back with her. I read an essay in which Kate DiCamillo says, “Let kids be sad” and it’s something I took to heart. I was a sad kid sometimes—I think there are a lot of sad kids out there—I wanted to let Winnie be one, too.


What do you hear from your readers (kids, parents, educators)  after they have finished reading your books?
For all of the book bannings and challenges and, frankly, mean emails I get, I receive about a dozen more from kids and parents and teachers who have found something in my books that they needed. It’s definitely what keeps me positive throughout all of the contention when it comes to queer books for kids. The kids who email me and say how much Winnie or Pluto or Fig mean to them always means more to me than what I can even put into words.

Why do you think it is important to write for the middle grade audience?
Because kids deserve to get lost in the pages of a book just as much as anyone else does, they deserve to see themselves, or kids just like them or their friends or their family, thriving and surviving and going on adventures and being sad and growing and learning and exploring, and falling in love or falling in crush or finding friends or learning how to handle losing friends, too. They deserve to win against the monsters or to learn how to cope when you lose. I think writing for kids is special, because it was as a middle grade reader that I first fell in love with reading and being able to lose myself in a book has always been so important to me.

What message do you have for librarians (and all educators)?
I talk a lot about book challenges and bannings, and I am trying to do what I can from my end, but I know how hard it is for the librarians on the ground level right now doing their best to keep getting these books into their readers’ hands. I respect your work and I see how hard you are all doing what you do—and I really hope you keep pushing and keep fighting for these kids the best you can. It used to be easier to ask that of librarians, and now it’s getting harder, because I know there’s more and more risks these days for them, too. But at the end of the day, I think about the kids first, the ones who need to see us fighting for them to have books with characters they relate to on the shelves. So, basically, my message is: Thank you for all that you are doing. I’m here fighting with you.

What message do you have for your readers?
To the kids (and adults) who pick up my books: I see you, and you are not alone. 

Additional titles by Nicole Melleby:

Middle Grade:

  • Hurricane Season 
  • In the Role of Brie Hutchens 
  • How to Become a Planet
  • The Science of Being Angry
  • Winnie Nash is Not Your Sunshine| 
  • Dressing Up a Jersey Girl

The House on Sunrise Lagoon Series:

  • Sam Makes a Splashe
  • Marina in the Middle
  • Halfway to Harbor

Jonathan Roth Spashes Down at GBF #15

Jonathan Roth and I are colleagues in the same school district, but do not teach at the same school – we work in a very large district – 211 schools and counting!  He is a vibrant art teacher who encourages his students to authentically express themselves and create bravely.

In this busy spring season I was able to catch up with Jonathan to talk about his current book, Rover and Speck: Splash Down and his upcoming book, Almost Underwear: How a Piece of Cloth Traveled from Kitty Hawk to the Moon and Mars (August 2024).  Jonathan will be a featured author at the 15th Annual Gaithersburg Book Festival on May 18, 2024 at 4:15pm in the Jim Henson Pavilion.

Please tell us about your journey to become a children’s author.

Starting from early childhood, there hasn’t been a time when I haven’t been drawing,writing or cartooning. And not a day where I haven’t been reading! Out of art school Iwas revisiting some favorite picture books and discovering new ones, and it hit me that that’s what I really wanted to do. Of course, it took many years of learning and tryingand failing, but then I finally got an agent and…failed some more (not her fault, it’s just super competitive). Finally, with my current agent, I started making sales. And now books 7 and 8 are releasing this year! (though like almost all published authors, I still get rejections too).

How did you create your characters, Rover and Speck?

I’d been following the real Mars rovers Spirit and Opportunity on and off since they landed in 2004. They were designed to last 90 days; Spirit lasted 5 years and Opportunity almost 15! When I read in the paper (yes, paper) in 2019 that Opportunity had finally ‘died’ (lost power for good) on Mars, I instantly knew I wanted to write about a fictional rover who ‘died’ but then was discovered and revived by another rover. Cue un planetary adventures!

How is your creative process different when writing/illustrating the Rover and Speck graphic novels versus writing your Beep and Bob chapter book series?

Rover and Speck has full-color comics illustrations taking up every page, and the Beep and Bob books each have only about 20-30 black and white spot illustrations, so the biggest difference is that R&S takes a lot more hours at my drawing board! I’m faster at the writing part.

I know you are coming to Gaithersburg Book Festival #15 to present Rover and Speck: Splash Down, but I am also curious about your upcoming nonfiction picture book, Almost Underwear (book birthday August 20, 2024).

I’ve been attending the GBF since year 1! And this will be my 4 th time speaking there (not including a video for the virtual year), so I’m super excited. Maybe you can expect a little peek at Almost Underwear at this year’s festival, hint hint, but in a nutshell it’s the story about how some ordinary cloth was bought by two brothers in a Dayton department store in 1903, and how various cuts of that cloth became part of the first powered airplane flight on Earth and then also the first moon landing and the first flight on Mars in 2021! It’s a book about innovation and commemoration – and underwear (well, almost underwear).

What is your research process, and when do you decide you have enough background knowledge to begin writing?

Don’t tell anyone, haha, but I start writing well before I know all the facts! With Almost Underwear, once I had the three main historical vantage points (first flight and thencloth from the wing of the Flyer taken to both the moon and Mars) I immediately begana draft from the point of view of the cloth as it was sitting in the store alongside muchfancier cloth, waiting to be purchased. Then as I began to research in earnest, I fleshed out the historic details as I went (with creative license of course – the cloth didn’t actually have a cute face:) I did go into it with a lot of prior knowledge about the Wright Flyer, Apollo 11, and Mars missions, but it was a great excuse to delve into lots of new and review reading.

What is the most fascinating fact that you discovered while researching for Almost Underwear: How a Piece of Cloth Traveled from Kitty Hawk to the Moon and Mars?

I don’t know if it’s the most fascinating fact, but early on, when I read that the type of muslin the Wright Brothers purchased from a Dayton department store was most commonly used at that time to make “ladies undergarments”, I knew I had my fun hook.

What do you love most about writing for children?

I love the KidLit community. Writing can be solitary, with only peeks at the tip of the iceburg ever showing (if you’re lucky!) While I do it for the kids of course, I really value that I’ve been able to build lasting relationships with other creators and book lovers.

What message do you have for librarians? For your readers?

Librarians, you rock! Even in these challenging times, librarians always strive to get the right books in the right hands. And readers: you rock too! With so many choices – and distractions – these days, I am heartened every time I see a young person reading (doubly heartened if it’s one of my books!) Books are little miracles, and we (authors, illustrators, editors, librarians, readers) co-create them together.

If you would like to learn more about Jonathan and his books, please read the following posts:

Rover and Speck: This GBF Rocks! (May 2, 2023)

Outta this World with Jonathan Roth (April 29, 2019)


A Visit with Nicole, Rina, and Victor

On April 26, 2024, my 5th grade students and I were thrilled to meet with middle grade authors Nicole D. Collier, Rina Heisel, and Victor Piñeiro during a virtual author visit that I had been so fortunate to win earlier this spring. My students ask wonderful questions, and were so enthusiastic when the authors asked if we had any writers in the audience. Many students stood up and proclaimed that they were writers and readers at the end of the visit. I, for one, annd looking forward to seeing where my students’ life journey takes them. Like the Middle Grade Authorcade logo states, WE LOVE BOOKS!

The Middle Grade Authorcade shares its origin story as, “Once upon a time, a group of first-time authors banded together to support one another in their debut year. Through this time of shared uncertainty, vulnerability, and celebration, friendships and great camaraderie emerged. So as our debut year ended, we didn’t want this supportive community to fade. With that, the Middle Grade Authorcade was born. It’s one of life’s happy endings. And you’ve got to take happy endings wherever you can get them.”

On April 26, 2024, my 5th grade students and I were thrilled to meet with middle grade authors Nicole D. Collier, Rina Heisel, and Victor Piñeiro during a virtual author visit that I had been so fortunate to win earlier this spring. My students ask wonderful questions, and were so enthusiastic when the authors asked if we had any writers in the audience. Many students stood up and proclaimed that they were writers and readers at the end of the visit. I, for one, annd looking forward to seeing where my students’ life journey takes them.

Educator Resource: Journey Beyond the Burrow Teacher Resource Guide

How did you get involved in MG Authorcade?

(NC) All the members of Authorcade were debut authors in 2021. Collectively we called ourselves #21ders. Officially, I was a Fall 2021 debut, but Just Right Jillian was released in February 2022. That wasn’t due to COVID as many assume; it was simply that “Fall” meant everything from August to February! I didn’t discover this until I had already bonded with the other #21ders! After I joined the #22debuts group, I kept in touch with my original debut buddies.

(VP) Though getting published for the first time was one of the highlights of my life, so was meeting a bunch of absolutely wonderful kidlit authors who were also getting published in 2021. A few of us really hit it off and formed Authorcade, hoping to spread a love of reading to middle grade readers everywhere!

Why do you think it is important to write for the middle grade audience?

(NC)  “Young people are trying to discern who they are vs. who they want to be, and how to bridge the gap between the two. My stories are right in that gap. It’s special to create art that edifies and delights the next generation, and as a former teacher (and the daughter of a school librarian) I can’t overstate the importance of literacy at this (and every) age.”

(RH) “For me, this was my “golden era” of reading—when I really began connecting to characters and getting lost in the stories, so to me there is just something magical about middle grade. This was the age I sort of pushed myself, I wanted to try reading something a little scary, or a little sad. Middle grade is an amazing place for discovery and optimism—it’s just my favorite place to be. To now put my books out there for this age is a mind-blowing honor.”

 (VP) “The most important, foundational, life-changing books I read were during my middle grade years, and as a teacher I noticed that it was true for many of my students too. Middle grade minds are open, curious and ravenous for story. And if I can help them turn into bookworms for life, that feels like the greatest job of all!”

What have you learned as you have met with your readers?

(NC)  “I love hearing the connections kids make to stories, sometimes in really unexpected ways. As a result, visits always remind me to be open to possibility.”

(RH) “Middle grade readers have the best questions for writers! So many readers I talk to are interested in writing their own stories, so they ask a lot about the writing process. They also like to talk about some of the critters in my book—mice, snakes, spiders, and how I researched all those things. I have found that our conversations are so great and we never seem to have enough time!”

 (VP) “I’ve learned that middle grade readers read deeply, truly understand your characters, and connect on a deeper level with a book than most other audiences. They also ask the most interesting questions. I’m constantly floored by the questions they ask me.”

What message do you have for librarians (and all educators)?

(NC) “At the core, your work is really about helping people of all ages become their best selves. Everything that counts can’t be counted, but everything you do truly matters. Thank you!”

(RH) “As authors, we are typically in awe of the work you do! We supply the material, but it takes educators to place the right books with the right students and encourage and support their reading journey. You are all superheroes and we appreciate you beyond measure.”

 (VP) “It’s both harder and more important than ever to give kids a chance to fall in love with reading before screens vie for all of their attention. Godspeed.”

What message do you have for your readers?

(NC) “Seeds of change are planted every time you read a book. Keep reading, and watch your life bloom.”

(RH) “My readers are usually with me because they love adventures and creatures of all kinds. I would say to them, “There is a story in every forest, every park, every backyard—if you use your imagination, you will find it!” 

(VP) “Thanks for reading, for reaching out, and for asking such inspiring questions! I’m so excited for you to read a very different book I have cooking, which should be out next year!”

I am looking forward to seeing where Nicole, Rina, and Victor’s writing journeys take them in the future!  Their readers are, too!

Just in time for World Penguin Day – Penguins Ready to Go, Go, Go!

I have been a fan of Deborah Lee Rose’s nonfiction books for children for several years, and had a chance to catch up with her about her most recent title, Penguins Ready to Go, Go, Go!, published April 9, 2024, by Persnickety Press – out just in time for World Penguin Day on April 25th.

Cover: Shutterstock/GTW Emperor penguins

Please tell me about your journey to become a children’s author.

Penguins Ready to Go, Go, Go! is my 19th book, and the journey of becoming and growing as a children’s author has often felt very magical. I have worked to recapture what books gave me when I was a child—the ability to imagine I am anywhere, from the International Space Station to Antarctica—because I want my readers to be able to travel anywhere through their own imaginations. 

Many of the ideas for my books have seemed to come to me “suddenly,” though I realized later how those ideas were percolating in my mind from things I or my kids saw, read, and experienced. One major part of the writing journey has been letting myself tumble over many ideas until I find one I love so much, I want to spend many months working on it. I have also learned that asking for help and even making mistakes can lead to much better writing. 

What is your research process, and when do you decide you have enough background knowledge to begin writing?

I adore research, especially about STEM topics, because there is always so much more to discover than I first realize. I give myself plenty of time for the research phase of each book. Sometimes it’s only after months of research that I learn a fact—or discover an amazing photo—which significantly affects the structure or tone or title of the book. That doesn’t mean I wait until all the research is in before I start writing. For me, research and writing happen simultaneously throughout the book’s creation. And I don’t worry about having enough research, in fact I usually have way too much! For Penguins Ready to Go, Go, Go! and Astronauts Zoom! I had huge binders filled with photos and factual articles. The challenge is selecting which are the absolute best photos, and what is the most amazing and kid-friendly information to include in the final book. 

What are the most fascinating facts about Emperor penguins that you discovered while researching Penguins Ready to Go, Go, Go!  ?

One reason I decided to write this book is because my research turned up so many surprises about Emperor penguins—like the fact that they slide on their bellies to travel faster over the ice and snow, or that they can find their chick among thousands of penguins just by its call. But the two most fascinating facts were how these birds have adapted to their Antarctic environment using bubbles and teamwork to survive. While the penguins are standing on the sea ice, they trap air between their feathers. Then, when they dive into the ocean under the ice to feed, the water pressure helps squeeze out the air into bubble streams around their bodies. These streams reduce the drag on their bodies, so the birds can swim very fast. By building up speed underwater, they can leap high enough out of the ocean to land back on the ice. 

(c) Rob Dunbar, Stanford University, courtesy of Kim Goetz, NOAA-AFSC-MML

Regarding teamwork, penguins don’t just huddle together to stay warm during blizzards. They are all constantly in motion, shuffling through their huge huddles so each bird gets a turn closest to the warm center. I have a wonderful quote in the book from scientist Stephanie Jenouvrier of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution that reads, “Only together can penguins brave the harshest climate on Earth, and only together can we face a difficult climate future.”

What do you love most about writing for children?

Writing for children is like being a translator. One of the best parts of the job for me, especially in my STEM books, is translating complex concepts like animal adaptations for young learners. I get to play with words and images, while being both scientific and silly, like in the verse from Penguins Ready to Go, Go, Go! that reads:

“Swooshing so fast, and diving so deep,

penguins whoosh from the ocean in one bubbly leap.

Skimming the air in a high penguin hop,

they land on the ice with a wet, giant PLOP!

Paul Ponganis, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego

One of the wonders of writing books for children has been that I can “meet” millions of young readers, librarians, teachers and parents worldwide. An actual copy of my book Astronauts Zoom! was launched to the International Space Station with an astronaut crew on Read Across America day, traveled 57 million miles through space on the ISS, and was read aloud in orbit by an astronaut and videotaped for Story Time From Space. (The same astronaut is also IN THE BOOK, from a previous mission to space). That free read aloud can now be watched by children and adults anywhere in the world, at Storytime from Space.

Any time a parent or teacher asks me how they can encourage a child to read more, I say “Take them to the library A LOT.” – Deborah Lee Rose

What message do you have for librarians? For your readers?

I grew up in Philadelphia, where I spent countless hours reading and volunteering in the Free Library of Philadelphia. Libraries have been the greatest resource in my life, including for researching my own books and bringing my children from the time they could sit up in their strollers. Any time a parent or teacher asks me how they can encourage a child to read more, I say “Take them to the library A LOT.” (Librarians know this!) Books and libraries opened up the world to me, and I still believe this can be true for children today. I would also like librarians, teachers, parents and readers to know there are free educational guides to my books, with connections to standards plus activities and resources, on my website at www.deborahleerose.com. These guides can be shared with anyone.

Is there something special you want readers (and educators) to know about Penguins Ready to Go, Go, Go!?

This book includes many photos from leading scientists being published for the first time in a children’s book. QR codes in the book are also linked to amazing live action Emperor penguin videos. From an environmental education perspective, Emperor penguins are now a threatened species, because of climate change and human impacts. While these birds may live extremely far away from us, we can still take action to help conserve their species, which is loved by so many people around the globe.

She [Charlotte] uses the words in her web—just five words—to teach, inspire, and save the life of a friend. That tells me words are very powerful, and children of all ages, whom I meet at schools, understand that their words too can make a difference. – Deborah Lee Rose

What is your own favorite children’s book?

Since I was in 4th grade, my favorite book has been Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White. Our school librarian first read it aloud to our class, and I was mesmerized. The story transported me to a world far beyond my own, something I try to do for my readers even when I am writing nonfiction. To this day Charlotte’s Web still inspires me, since I discovered (as an adult) that the character of Charlotte the spider is a writer like I am, though she writes words in her web and I write them on paper or my computer. She uses the words in her web—just five words—to teach, inspire, and save the life of a friend. That tells me words are very powerful, and children of all ages, whom I meet at schools, understand that their words too can make a difference.

I encourage all to check out Deborah’s many nonfiction titles: 

For more information about children’s author Deborah Lee Rose, visit her website here.

We All Belong in Our Family Book Club

A collaboration between our school’s principal intern and I, we created a Family Book Club, which focuses on our school community’s diversity, and each month, we read aloud books, lead a book discussion, and related book activities to build relationships. The purpose of the Family Book Club is to celebrate our diversity and to build relationships among the families in our school community.  Our school’s slogan is “We All Belong” and we truly mean it, and hope that our efforts help both our students and their families experience this authentically. 

In September, Hispanic Heritage Month, we chose books that focused our our diverse cultures, and read these three picture books:

  • All are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold and illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman
  • Lunch from Home by Joshua David Stein and illustrated by Jing Li
  • Spanish is the Language of my Family by Michael Genhart and illustrated by John Parra

All are Welcome “is a picture book about a school where diversity and inclusion are celebrated.” In Lunch from Home, “four students stand out with their homemade, culturally-specific lunches in a classroom of sandwiches.” Spanish is the Language of my Family “is an intergenerational story of family ties, cultural pride, and spelling bee victory following a young boy who bonds with his beloved abuela over a love of Spanish.”

Link to our September Family Book Club presentation.

In November, we had two Family Book Club meetings – in early November, we shared books around Diwali, Hindu holiday known as The Festival of Lights. Three of my colleagues who celebrate Diwali dressed in clothing from their culture, and shared their family traditions. Our read aloud selections included two picture books:

  • Shubh Diwali! written by Chitra Soundar and illustrated by Charlene Chua 
  • Archie Celebrates Diwali! written by Mitali Banerjee Ruths and illustrated by Parwinder Singh 

 We had also given families the option to read and discuss Odder by Katherine Applegate.

Shubh Diwali! is a sweet book about the excitement of The Festival of Lights from the perspective of a child. Archie Celebrates Diwali! ”Archana loves her family’s annual Diwali (deh-vah-lee) party, and this year she gets to share it with all her friends from school.” Odder is a touching and lyrical tale about a remarkable sea otter, and a wonderful introduction to marine life rehabilitation.

Link to our November 8th Family Book Club presentation.

Our third Family Book Club was held at the end of November and focused on both Native American Heritage Month and gratitude. We read We are Grateful: Otsaleheliga written by Traci Sorell and illustrated by Frané Lessac and The Thank You Book written and illustrated by Todd Parr.

The Thankful Book celebrates all the little things children can give thanks for in their lives.
In We are Grateful: Otsaliheliga, the Cherokee community is grateful for blessings and challenges that each season brings. 

Link to our November 29th Family Book Club presentation.

Our last Family Book Club meeting focused on celebrating differences and the winter holidays of Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa.   The books I chose to share were:

  • Just Ask!: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You written by Sonia Sotomayor and illustrated by Rafael López
  • Caleb’s Hanukkah written by Lisa Bullard and illustrated by Constanza Basaluzzo
  • Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh written and illustrated by Mo Willems
  • Seven Candles of Kwanzaa by Andrea Davis Pinkney and illustrated by Brian Pinkney

Just Ask! is a kind and caring book about the differences that make each of us unique. In Caleb’s Hanukkah, he describes all the things that make the holiday special for his family. Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh is a fun and silly story about Pigeon, and Seven Candles for Kwanzaa is a beautifully written and illustrated book that “describes the origins and practices of Kwanzaa, the seven-day festival during which people of African descent rejoice in their ancestral values.”

Link to our December Family Book Club presentation.

While the kids had fun calling back “No, Pigeon!” as I read the story, in retrospect, I wish I had chosen Christmas book that focused on the true meaning of Christmas, such as Season of Light by Jess Redman and illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki, The Christmas Blessing written by Erin Guendelsberger and illustrated by Gail Yerrill, or The First Christmas by Will Moses.

During the meeting we discussed how in each of these winter holidays, Hanukkah, Christmas,and Kwanzaa (and Diwali as well) candles were of great importance, and each represented light over darkness. Diwali includes oil lamps called diyas, Hanukkah, the menorah, Christmas, the advent wreath, and Kwanzaa, the kinara.

We will continue our Family Book Club with once a month meetings in the new year, January through May, with hopes that our families will continue to find the meetings meaningful. Look for a year-end post about the remainder of the school year in June!

An Elementary School Librarian’s Book Selection Process

This is the third blog post in a series about library book selection in Maryland (originally published on the Maryland Association of School Librarians blog on December 27, 2023).

In earlier posts you read about processes for evaluating and selecting books from high school librarian Brittany Tignor, and former middle school librarian Dr. Jennifer Sturge, who is now a school library coordinator in her county school system.  While each of our Maryland school systems has a slightly different book evaluation and selection process, our ultimate goal is the same: to curate a library collection of quality books that encourage our students to read. 

This post will be about an elementary school librarian’s process for selecting books for her school library collection. My name is Melissa King, and I am an elementary school librarian in Montgomery County Public Schools.  In our school system of 211 schools (and counting!) we have a well-honed process for reviewing and selecting books for our diverse school communities and school libraries. Every school library media specialist in MCPS is part of the evaluation and selection process.

It is extremely important for me to include books that reflect my students and also shed light on different perspectives.  Ohio State University professor, Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop, in her article, “Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors”, stated, “Books are sometimes windows, offering views of worlds that may be real or imagined, familiar or strange. These windows are also sliding glass doors, and readers have only to walk through in imagination to become part of whatever world has been created or recreated by the author. When lighting conditions are just right, however, a window can also be a mirror.” 

This means that I want to have books in my library that students can see themselves in, books that they can learn about people different from them, and also have books where they can immerse themselves into the story. It means that I make thoughtful consideration of books that I include in my library collection.

There’s many steps that go into developing a library collection. Just as Jen mentioned in her blog post, I also believe it is both an art and a science. One way that I identify books that I would like to add to my school library collection is by following fellow school librarians, as well as authors and illustrators on social media. I use social media as a professional learning network, and read about newly published titles online.  Additional ways in which to learn about new book titles is to read professional review publications such as Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, Booklist Online, and Publishers Weekly. I utilize TeachingBooks, a helpful online resource that my county school system purchases. Follett Destiny, our online library catalog system, provides a variety of book and library resources, including Titlewave professionally curated content, and TitleWise collection analysis.  Lastly, I seek, and receive, book recommendations from my colleagues and requests from students, who are ready to share their thoughts about topics and favorite authors.

For a book to be added to an MCPS school library collection, it goes through a formal evaluation and selection process. MCPS Regulation IIB-RA, Evaluation and Selection of Instructional Materials and Library Books guides my evaluation.

When I evaluate a book, I look at the entire book, from cover to cover, including the end papers, illustrations, photographs, author’s notes, and backmatter. I review the grammar, spelling, and all the text details of the book.  With nonfiction books, I review the diagrams, captions, author’s notes, bibliography, and glossary.  

When I am evaluating a book, I am looking to see if it will expand my students’ knowledge and help them learn about something new.  I analyze my collection using the tools available in our online library catalog, and search for books to fill in where the selection is dated or limited.

Fiction chapter books are available in many genres, including realistic fiction, historical fiction, fantasy fiction, mystery, and adventure. They are also available in different formats, including graphic novels, novels in verse, and illustrated novels. It is important to have a wide variety of genres to allow for student choice. Many of my students love book series, so I work to have a complete set of their favorites as well.  

When evaluating fiction titles with illustrations (such as graphic novels and illustrated novels) and picture books, I look for diversity in the topic, theme, setting, and the characters. My students love to laugh, to dream, to empathize, to explore, to learn – so it is important to add books to my collection that encompass all of these.

I look at the publisher’s suggested age of the reader.  I want to have a variety of reading levels from beginner to more advanced, so our fiction chapter book and middle grade section meets the needs of all readers in my school.

Once I have completed my evaluation, I share it, and the book, with a second school librarian in our county, so that they can give their input.  The MCPS guidelines require each library book to have been evaluated by two educators, with at least one being an Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) certified school library media specialist. 

After the evaluation has been submitted into our Database of Accountable Evaluations and been verified, the information is sent to our cataloger, who creates a MARC record so that we can add the book to our school collections (a MARC record is a MA chine-Readable Cataloging record).

“I believe library collection development is both an art and a science.”

-Melissa A. King, MLS

Once that step is complete, then my school’s media assistant or I add the book into our school’s Destiny online library database using the ISBN number to identify the book and its MARC record. The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a numeric commercial book identifier that is intended to be unique for each book title and type (hardcover, paperback, digital, etc). We place a sticker with our catalog barcode number to identify the specific copy, a spine label with its shelf address, and often, a spine label genre sticker.  If it is a hardcover book with a dust cover, we also place a plastic cover over it to protect it.  For paperbacks, we will also reinforce the spine and binding by placing book tape over the book spine.

Once the processing is complete, then the book is placed on display in my library with a “New Book – Check it Out” bookmark to call students’ attention to it. I also “book talk” new books, or read the first page of the first chapter – I call it a “First Page Read Aloud” to introduce them to the book, and pique their interest. I also have two larger bulletin boards in the hallway outside of the library where I regularly spotlight books and reading.

As I mentioned at the beginning of my article, I believe library collection development is both an art and a science. The goal of which is to watch a student come into my library, find that perfect book, and to see their face light up with a big smile, hugging their book as they come up to the counter to check it out.  And if I am lucky, I will see them come the next day (or soon after) to return it, and to find another book in the collection that makes them smile again.

I believe that S. R. Ranganathan, who proposed The 5 Laws of Library Science in the 1920s, would be thrilled to know that 100 years later, our evaluation and selection processes helps our school libraries grow like living organisms, that we absolutely know books are for use, and that our book talks and displays of books help every reader find his or her book –  and finally, that every book has its reader.

Follow me! Twitter/X @Cre8tiveLib | Instagram @crea8tivelibrarian |www.thecreativelibrarian.com  

Donuts, Pizza, and Fortune Cookies (oh, yum!)

I love being a school librarian for many reasons, but the most important one is that I get the opportunity to introduce my readers to interesting and talented authors and illustrators – and Mika Song is one of them! Donut Feed the Squirrels and Pizza My Heart are a popular choices in my elementary school library, and rarely stay on my bookshelf for long as they are in the hands of another enthusiastic reader. Norma and Belly’s next adventure, One Smart Cookie (August 2023) is going to be equally as loved!

Mika Song is a featured presenter at the Gaithersburg Book Festival on May 20, 2023, and will be sharing Pizza My Heart (A Graphic Novel).  She and her friend, Isabel Roxas (The Adventures of Team Pom: The Last Pom (Team Pom Book 2))  will be presenting their books and leading a workshop together entitled, “Sticky Situations”, at 1:15 pm in the Graphic Novels and Workshops Pavilion.

I hope you enjoy my visit with Mika Song!

Who encouraged or inspired you to become an author/illustrator?

My father is a photographer and my mother is a magazine editor and they both encouraged me to draw and write. My grandmother was a writer and jewelry designer. As a kid I loved visiting her tiny bedroom where she worked with her many art supplies, typewriter and crafts books. I still remember her showing me how to put a watercolor wash around a figure to make a drawing look more cohesive. I realize I still use that trick all the time. I learned so many things that I am not even conscious of from her.

What is your writing space like?

My work space is a big desk in the corner of my bedroom next to the window with a good view of the street. I can hear the train and people walking by. I get many of my ideas this way. The plot of my early-reader graphic novel, DONUT FEED THE SQUIRRELS, came to me when I was working at home and I smelled something delicious outside my window. On the street below me was a donut truck, CARPE DONUTS. I imagined a hungry squirrel jumping into the chimney of the truck from a tree branch above.

What do you love most about the cover art and illustrations in your current book?   Describe your art style and your art process.

The thing I love most about my Norma and Belly covers is that each title mentions a specific snack. Patrick Crotty, the designer at RHG, came up with a really fun way to design the cover so it looks like a pizza box but also still fits in with the template of the previous books in the series. I like that the squirrels are eating while running with the pizza because it is such a New York thing to eat your pizza while walking.

I think my art style for these books is approachable to a young reader. The characters are composed of a few expressive handmade lines and shapes that are not always perfect or regular but fun and lively.

Who is your favorite character in your book and why?

My favorite character is Belly the squirrel because she doesn’t let things get her down. She keeps her eyes on the donut, not the hole. She’s a breeze to draw and always cute. Most of the time I am actually like Norma, always thinking about some plan or worrying about the future.

How (or in what ways) do you hope librarians will promote your book?  

Librarians have been helpful in getting my books to young readers. I remember during lockdown in 2020 watching a librarian do a read aloud of DONUT FEED THE SQUIRRELS which had come out very recently. Even though they are graphic novels for independent readers, I hope they get shared as read alouds too. One student told me it only takes 13 minutes to read all the chapters. 

I draw new Norma and Belly comic strips once a week on SundayHaha.com, a free comic newsletter by KidLit creators, that is another way to share the world with readers. I think it’s a good resource for librarians running comics clubs and makerspaces. I hope it shows the diversity of the comics format.

Who is the reader you are writing for?  Please describe them.

My reader is anyone who is having a long day or work at school and just wants to sit in the trees of Fort Greene park with Norma, Belly, Gramps and Little Bee and imagine a world where the only thing that matters is a donut guarded by a very uptight food truck seller.

What is something that you really want your readers to know about you?

One thing readers should know about me is that my next book in the Norma and Belly series is coming out on August 8, 2023. It is called ONE SMART COOKIE. It takes place partly in a fortune cookie factory and we learn something important about Little Bee. It was fun to make this book because I learned about the history of the fortune cookie and its significance in Asian American history. I also learned while working on the book that my grandmother’s first job as a young adult was typing up fortunes for fortune cookies.

Another thing readers should know about me is I enjoy getting letters from them.  Write to me at

Mika Song, PO Box 4594, Sunnyside, NY 11104.

Which book review or award has been most meaningful to you?

One of the first honors Donut Feed the Squirrels received was from the Texas Library Association’s Children’s Round Table. They put it on the 2021 Little Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List. I didn’t know about the list at the time because graphic novels for kids were not as popular. It made me happy to see that librarians love comics for kids and that my book was one of their favorites.

What are you most looking forward to at our book festival?

The thing about the Gaithersburg Book Festival that I am most looking forward to is drawing with my friend Isabel Roxas (THE ADVENTURES OF TEAM POM) and the kids. I just never know what will happen when we draw together. And making up comics with kids on the spot always makes me see new things in my work.

What message do you have for your readers?

My message to readers is life is beautiful – stay curious about the world around you so you don’t miss anything fun.

Credit: Jae H. Song

Want to learn more about Mika?

Elena Reads and Reviews: With the Stroke of Her Brush, Mika Song Brings Diversity to Books

Get to Know … Mika Song!

Mika Song Draws author website

Mika Song Printables – fun for kids (and adults!)

Sunday Haha

TeachingBooks

Jump into Line with Susan Stockdale

Susan Stockdale is one of the kindest, joyful, and encouraging people I have met in children’s literature. I discovered her books several years ago, and in 2019, invited her to lead a workshop at the 10th Annual Gaithersburg Book Festival. Her workshop, “Let’s Create Fabulous Fishes!”, based on her nonfiction picture book Fabulous Fishes, was a popular one, and the young participants left as happy as their bright and beautiful fishes. I had also featured her on my blog and asked her to discuss her research and creative process – Exploring the Amazing Natural World with Susan Stockdale.

At the 14th Annual Gaithersburg Book Festival, Susan will be presenting her most recent title, Line Up! Animals in Remarkable Rows along with Jennifer O’Connell (Elephants Remember) at 10:15 am in the Jim Henson Pavilion.  She will also lead a children’s workshop, Let’s Create Animals at 12:25 pm in the Graphic Novels and Workshops Pavilion.

I hope you enjoy my interview with the talented author-illustrator Susan Stockdale!

Who encouraged or inspired you to become an author/illustrator?

My mother, a published poet and master of rhyme, inspired my love of language. Her profound influence is reflected in how I write my picture books: entirely in rhyme!  My mom also encouraged my interest in drawing pictures.

What is your writing space like?

I both write and paint in my home studio. It’s a cozy, cheerful space that’s flooded with natural light.

What do you love most about the cover art and illustrations in your current book?  I’m happy with the quirky hermit crabs on the cover, which support the book’s theme in a fun and surprising way. It was a joy to express my passion for color, pattern and design in depicting the book’s different animals and habitats.

Describe your art style and your art process.

I consider myself a stylized realist. Using photos as visual references for my subjects, I create many sketches for each image and select the one I like best. I revise that sketch into a detailed drawing and transfer it onto paper. Then I apply three or more layers of acrylic paint to create my final illustration.

What information surprised you most during your research?

I knew that hermit crabs use abandoned sea shells as their home, but I wasn’t aware that when an empty shell washes up on shore, some crabs line up according to size and swap shells. This is the kind of unusual behavior I was excited to share with kids.

How (or in what ways) do you hope librarians will promote your book?  

I’d be thrilled to learn that librarians share Line Up! with children interested in learning about animals and nature. Teacher’s Guides are available on my website (www.susanstockdale.com) for all my books. The guides suggest dynamic activities that incorporate language arts, visual art, science, movement and more.

What do you hope your readers will learn from reading your book?

I hope the various line formations I depict in Line Up! spark children’s interest in animal behavior and science – and that my bold and graphic images fill them with a sense of wonder about our natural world.

Who is the reader you are writing for?  Please describe them. 

Because animals are so different from people, children are naturally curious about them and benefit from developing an understanding of them. I create my books to open their eyes to the marvels of nature.

What is one (or more) thing(s) that you really want your readers to know about you?

 I spend a lot of time consulting with scientists to make sure I convey factually accurate information in my books. I make many mistakes in both my writing and illustrations before they correct my work. I’d like kids to know that creating anything worthwhile in life takes diligence, humility, and patience.

Which book review or award has been most meaningful to you?

Though not a review or award, a mother wrote to me that her nine-year-old autistic daughter was so inspired by my picture book, Bird Show, that she created a fully illustrated, 32-page “humanized version” of it. She sent a copy of her daughter’s beautiful book to me. It was the most compelling affirmation of the positive influence of my picture books that I’ve ever received.

What are you most looking forward to at our book festival?

I’m very excited to attend other authors’ talks and run into author friends I haven’t seen in a long time.

What message do you have for your readers?

Play outdoors. Enjoy nature. Read a book and create one of your own! Kids often tell me that they want to become an author and illustrator when they grow up. I tell them they can be one now!

Additional resources:

Susan Stockdale’s Teacher Guides

TeachingBooks: Susan Stockdale

Articles:

Bird Show: An Extended Metaphor for Integrated Science and Literacy Learning

Design-A-Fish

Teaching Patterns to Infants and Toddlers

Understanding Difference