good news - Laurie Ann Thompson https://lauriethompson.com Inspiring and empowering young readers Tue, 14 Nov 2023 01:27:43 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://lauriethompson.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/cropped-05_lauriethompson_PhotoByMaryBalmaceda-thumbnail-square-150x150.jpg good news - Laurie Ann Thompson https://lauriethompson.com 32 32 June 2023 news https://lauriethompson.com/2023/06/09/june-2023-newsletter-updates/ https://lauriethompson.com/2023/06/09/june-2023-newsletter-updates/#respond Fri, 09 Jun 2023 05:18:16 +0000 https://lauriethompson.com/?p=6610 Read more]]> 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.

You Are a Honey Bee! headband craft You Are a Honey Bee! board game You Are a Raccoon! mask craft Habitat survival skills charades game

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.

]]> https://lauriethompson.com/2023/06/09/june-2023-newsletter-updates/feed/ 0 Announcing the Emmanuel’s Dream audiobook! https://lauriethompson.com/2020/08/10/announcing-the-emmanuels-dream-audiobook/ https://lauriethompson.com/2020/08/10/announcing-the-emmanuels-dream-audiobook/#respond Mon, 10 Aug 2020 13:26:48 +0000 https://lauriethompson.com/?p=3611 Read more]]> Emmanuels Dream cover with sticker
I have some great news to share today! I’m thrilled to announce that Listening Library at Penguin Random House Audio will be producing an Emmanuel’s Dream audiobook edition!! This is super exciting to me for two reasons:
First, I love listening to audiobooks! I listen when I’m walking the dog, driving, doing housework, basically anytime it isn’t practical to have my nose in a book. 😂  So trust me when I say that having one of my books be made into an audiobook makes me squeal for joy and bust out my happy dance!
The second reason, however, is far more important. Emmanuel’s Dream was awarded the 2016 American Library Association’s Schneider Family Book Award for embodying “an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences.” One of the things that moved me most about winning the award was learning that it meant that a braille edition of Emmanuel’s Dream would be released. That still left some readers out, sadly, and I’ve been dreaming of an audiobook ever since. Having an Emmanuel’s Dream audiobook edition means more access for more people. It means those with vision impairments can hear Emmanuel’s inspiring story of social action. It means emerging readers or readers with learning disabilities such as dyslexia can listen to Emmanuel’s example of perseverance in the face of challenges. It means all children everywhere will have another way to appreciate Emmanuel’s message of accepting everyone’s diverse gifts.
So, it is with great pleasure that I can now say the Emmanuel’s Dream audiobook is scheduled to be released on January 26, 2021, and you even can preorder it RIGHT NOW!
I’m looking forward to working with the team at Listening Library, and I’ll be sure to share further details (like who will be narrating!) as soon as I get them.
Penguin Random House Audio header

]]> https://lauriethompson.com/2020/08/10/announcing-the-emmanuels-dream-audiobook/feed/ 0 Let’s celebrate with a giveaway (or four)! https://lauriethompson.com/2015/03/18/lets-celebrate-with-a-giveaway-or-four/ https://lauriethompson.com/2015/03/18/lets-celebrate-with-a-giveaway-or-four/#comments Wed, 18 Mar 2015 11:55:29 +0000 https://lauriethompson.com/?p=2374 Read more]]> I’m so happy about the recent accolades my books have received that I’ve decided to host not just one giveaway–but FOUR!
To celebrate the fact that BE A CHANGEMAKER: HOW TO START SOMETHING THAT MATTERS was a finalist for the Cybils awards, I’ll be giving away a signed copy of the paperback edition on Goodreads, here:

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Be a Changemaker by Laurie Ann Thompson

Be a Changemaker

by Laurie Ann Thompson

Giveaway ends April 02, 2015.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter to win


To celebrate the starred review from School Library Journal for EMMANUEL’S DREAM: THE TRUE STORY OF EMMANUEL OFOSU YEBOAH, I’ll be giving away a signed copy on Goodreads, here:

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Emmanuel's Dream by Laurie Ann Thompson

Emmanuel’s Dream

by Laurie Ann Thompson

Giveaway ends April 02, 2015.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter to win


AND, I’ll give away a signed copy of either one (winners get to choose!) to two random subscribers to my mailing list. If you’re not a subscriber yet, just sign up below. (I only send a short newsletter once/month.)

Subscribe to my mailing list

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Email Format

MY DOG IS THE BEST coverFinally, School Library Journal recently called my upcoming release “well-executed and charming.” I can’t give this one away just yet (it will release on June 9, 2015), but feel free to share the MY DOG IS THE BEST love by adding it to your Goodreads shelf and/or pre-ordering it at one of the following links:
My Dog Is the Best


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