Mining for Heart: “Connections” by Patricia Valdez

March 2, 2018

Last week I shared Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor, the Woman Who Loved Reptiles, Patricia Valdez’s debut picture book about a little known female scientist. Today, Patricia shares her process of finding the heart of the story from a pile of research.  Before becoming a published children’s book author, I was (and still am) a published scientist. In … More Mining for Heart: “Connections” by Patricia Valdez

Mr. Crum’s Potato Predicament

February 16, 2018

Here’s a fun read for Perfect Picture Book Friday.  Title: Mr. Crum’s Potato Predicament Written by: Anne Renaud Illustrated by: Felicita Sala Kids Can Press, 2017, historical fiction Suitable for ages: 4-8 Themes/topics: cooking, potato chips, perseverance Opening: George Crum loved to cook. He fricasseed and flambéed, boiled and braised, poached and pureed. He made … More Mr. Crum’s Potato Predicament