Get your free activity kit!
There is now an activity kit/curriculum guide for the first two books in the Meet Your World series, YOU ARE A HONEY BEE! and YOU ARE A RACCOON!, and it is adorable! The guide features creative art projects, games, and writing and science-related activities to extend both the fun and educational value of the books. You can download it HERE. Huge thanks to Debbie Gonzales at Guides by Deb for creating these wonderful resources for parents and educators.
Recent appearances
I’ve been doing so many exciting school visits, storytimes, and virtual and online events. Here are just a few!
- Watch the #GreenPB2023 Celebrate Earth Picture Book Party excerpt for You Are a Honey Bee! here
- Watch the #GreenPB2023 Celebrate Earth Picture Book Party excerpt for You Are a Raccoon! here
- Click here to watch the SCBWI-WWA spring 2023 Inside Story excerpt for both books in the Meet Your World series
- I presented an interactive in-person storytime/signing event at the lovely Invitation Bookshop in Gig Harbor, WA
- I was featured in this fun interview on YA and Kids’ Books Central
- I was on the faculty for SCBWI-WWA’s Great Critique event
- I presented a virtual You Are a Honey Bee! read-aloud on Streamable Learning
- I was delighted to participate in a panel called Full STEAM Ahead for SCBWI-Oregon
- I was pleasantly surprised that Two Truths and a Lie was featured in a list of “The best books to improve kids’ critical thinking” on Shepherd.com
- I presented several virtual and in-person author visits at schools, plus an in-person storytime event for preschoolers at a local library. I wish I could show you their adorable faces and matching shirts, but to protect their privacy you’ll have to settle for this:
I was also fortunate to be able to attend Kindling Words West at the Whidbey Institute and spend a week working on my middle-grade fantasy novel in community with other industry pros. Here’s what my room looked like. Isn’t it cute?
What I’ve been reading… that you should, too!
Here are some of my favorite recent reads:
- The Girl from Earth’s End by Tara Dairman: Wow! This book blew my mind in the best kind of way. There is so much packed into this middle-grade novel, but somehow it doesn’t feel overwhelming. Instead, it feels just right, like a warm hug from a dear friend.
- Shermy and Shake, the Not-So-Nice Neighbor by Kirby Larson: A subtly sweet chapter book about an unexpected friendship, served up with equal parts humor and heart.
- ALL of the #GreenPB2023 releases! Seriously, if you have any interest in science, nature, animals, or the environment (or know a young reader who does), check out these wonderful new picture books.
Writing (or life in general, really) advice
I was reading this interview with Abi Cushman, author/illustrator of Wombats Are Pretty Weird, and came across this perfect little tidbit of writing advice:
“…the important thing to realize is that feeling uncomfortable in the process just means you’re challenging yourself, and that’s a good thing.”
I’ve always tried to live my life by that mantra, and I think it’s such a good thing to remember. Discomfort doesn’t necessarily mean you shouldn’t do the thing, or that you’re doing it wrong. It just means you’re pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone, which is necessary for growth.