Welcome
Welcome to my website.
It’s full of information about the books I write, how I make them, and why I write what I write. And since I can’t draw for beans, you’ll also find out how lucky I am to work with so many talented illustrators, editors, and designers. And you can also find out what other people say about the work I love doing. I hope you will find answers to most of the questions you — kids, teens, and grown-ups — have about my books.

What’s New?

WHO’S IN MY FAMILY? ALL ABOUT OUR FAMILIES
WHO’S IN MY FAMILY? has just been published. It is the second book in illustrator Nadine Bernard Westcott’s and my four book nonfiction picture book series for young children. This book features Nellie and Gus — siblings who were also featured in WHO HAS WHAT? — on another exciting family outing. This time Gus and Nellie are off to the zoo, where they see all kinds of families, including animal families. The text includes straightforward information about families and of course, Gus and Nellie’s conversations with each other. And I just bet that yet again, young children will love pouring through the art that Nadine has created, listening to what Gus and Nellie have to say about families, and finding out so many interesting things about all kinds of families, including their own families.

SHADOW
This recent picture book is the story of a young child, who discovers his shadow. At first he is a tad afraid, but soon begins to have fun with his shadow because it does everything he does—until the sun fades and his shadow begins to go away. “Will it ever come back?” is the big worry that makes this child feel so sad and gives emotion and suspense to this simple tale. When I saw the very first drawing that Patrick Benson made for this book, I was thrilled beyond belief because I knew that his art for this book would strike a responsive chord in young children.

What’s Next?
A NEW PICTURE BOOK ABOUT FEAR

My newest picture book is about fear and will be published early fall 2013. I have just seen the final art and layouts for this book and both the art and the design…

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What’s In There?

I have completed the writing for the third book in the four-book nonfiction picture book series that illustrator Nadine Bernard Westcott and I are creating. And I still love the challenge of writing these books…

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Writing

Writing, writing, rewriting, and more writing. An exciting book collaboration with a talented colleague is just beginning. And notes, notes, and more notes about a new picture book I hope to start…

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News
My piece is up on NYTimes Online

Exciting to have a piece up and running on NYTimes online, ROOM FOR DEBATE. Do check it out. Here’s the link.

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Two Terrific Reviews for Who’s In My Family? All About Our Families

The first reviews are coming in. School Library Journal says, “The prose is unadorned and economical, but gentle, and perfect for very young children.” Kirkus wrote, “Narrative text and speech balloons introduce diverse family constellations in a celebratory spirit of inclusivity and community.”

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AN HONOR

On August 9th, I flew to Spokane, WA to receive Planned Parenthood Federation of America’s highest education award—The MARY LEE TATUM Award. This annual award “is given to the person who most exemplifies the qualities of an Ideal Sexuality Educator.” Of course, I was honored…

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SHADOW ON INSPIRATIONAL BOOK AWARDS LIST

Keeping fingers crossed! SHADOW has made it into the shortlist of the Inspiration Book Awards…

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MAYBE A BEAR ATE IT! VOTED AND SELECTED AS THE 2012 ONE BOOK 4 COLORADO

Wonderful News! MAYBE A BEAR ATE IT! was officially voted and selected as the 2012 One Book 4 Colorado book and a celebration that took place statewide from April 19-29, 2012. This program supported an effort to give every four year old in Colorado a copy of MAYBE A BEAR ATE IT!

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