Anchors aweigh! LIFEBOAT 12, my debut middle grade novel about a true but little-known WWII event, just went into a second printing. In a *STARRED* review, SLJ says, "This stirring novel-in-verse based on a true story is an edge-of-your-seat survival tale, an extensively researched work of historical fiction, and an exemplar of the form." The Nerdy Book Club called it one of the best novels in verse of the year!
Also new is SHAKING THINGS UP: 14 Young Women Who Changed the World. Take a look at my interview with Mr. Schu and the book trailer here.
SLIDING THROUGH SUMMER
Wow, where did the last two months go? July and August have been a rush of writing, revising (and revising and revising), looking at illustrations, traveling, and sailing. Highlights were sailing to Martha's Vineyard and a trip to Toronto where I got to visit my friends at Kids Can Press, publisher of THE TOOTH MOUSE and my new book TICKLY TOES. Every office should be this much fun!
NEW WORK AHEAD
Feeling excited and challenged as I work on my first nonfiction picture book. Immersed in research and busy setting up interviews right now. More news to come!
In the meantime, I'm thrilled to provide a sneak peek of my new baby board book called TICKLY TOES (see cover above), available August 1 from Kids Can Press. With pictures by French illustrator Barroux, this book is a celebration of baby's first playthings—her toes—and her first success—getting those toes into her mouth!
Kirkus says, the "rhymes beg to be read aloud as they speak directly to the baby in the story and to little listeners snuggled up for a bedtime story and perhaps a toe-tickling of their own. A lovely addition to the bedtime storybook shelf." For the full review, click here.
THANKS TO THE NEW YORK TIMES!
In 2012, The New York Times was kind enough to review my book THE TOOTH MOUSE online and it was such a thrill! It was a big, beautiful article for which I am so grateful.
So why is it that a tiny blurb in the print version of the Sunday Book Review is so exciting? I think it was this quote: "ROOTING FOR YOU is a cheerful alternative to Dr. Seuss's OH, THE PLACES YOU'LL GO!" And if that wasn't enough, I get to share the page with my old friend Sarah Albee from Sesame Street.
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ON THE ROAD
April was a blur of author visits and I have to thank each and every school, bookstore and book festival for inviting me. A highlight was a two-day gig at Miller Driscoll in Wilton, CT: 2 days, 8 presentations, 900+ kids!
NEW BOOK DEBUT!
On March 11, my newest picture book called ROOTING FOR YOU (see cover above) sprouts from Hyperion. It's about a tiny seed intent upon staying put in the cozy soil—"I am NOT coming out!" But with the encouragement of a friendly worm, the seeds plucks up the courage to bust out and bloom. Featuring fold-out pages that mimic putting down roots and sending up shoots, the book culminates in a three-page-tall burst as the seed breaks ground and blossoms in the sun.
Why did I write this one? I must have been working in our big vegetable garden. I had just switched fields, going from editor to author and was thinking about all the thrills and challenges of the unknown. Kids face new experiences every day—starting a new school, welcoming a new baby, moving to a new town. And these transitions can be scary! So this book is about new growth and the friends and family who are there rooting for you!
Here's what Booklist had to say:
"It’s an overall wonderful lesson in moving out of fear and inertia and into exploration and growth, with big Mo Willems–style art that makes simple shapes into highly emotive characters and backgrounds." For the full review, click here.
SHOW 'EM THOSE PEARLY WHITES!
The Tooth Mouse is celebrating National Children's Dental Health Month with a Tooth Pillow Pouch kids can make! Children just cut it out, glue up the sides, place a lost tooth inside, tuck under their pillows and see what's inside the next day. They can also keep a record of each tooth lost by coloring in the appropriate number of teeth on The Tooth Mouse's Baby Tooth Tracker.
Below, five-month-old Molina gets an early start learning about the Tooth Mouse, thanks to her grand-mére from Paris!
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I'd love to come to your event! Click here to contact me about scheduling a visit to your school, library, bookstore or book festival.
Download my Author Visit Brochure to get detailed information about my school and library presentations, along with testimonials and pricing.
Download Here.
"To Tell the Truth:
Using Children's Nonfiction
to Raise Global Awareness"
Keynote Speaker
Florida Connected
Conference
Florida Museum of Natural History
University of Florida Cultural Plaza
3215 Hull Road
Gainesville, FL 32611-2710
Hudson Children's
Book Festival
215 Harry Howard Ave.
Hudson, NY 12534
Chappaqua Children's
Book Festival
Robert E. Bell Middle School
50 Senter St, Chappaqua, NY 10514
