Category: biography

Especially for Educators: “’Riding a Bike with No Hands:’ Using Sensory Imagery to Infuse Writing With Emotion” by Lisa Rogers

February 21, 2025

Here’s a great writing activity for the classroom from author Lisa Rogers! Bringing emotion to the page can be a challenge for any writer, but it’s that emotion that connects a reader. Springboarding from her latest book, JOAN MITCHELL PAINTS A SYMPHONY: LA GRANDE VALLÉE SUITE, young writers use sensory imagery to bring emotion to … More Especially for Educators: “’Riding a Bike with No Hands:’ Using Sensory Imagery to Infuse Writing With Emotion” by Lisa Rogers

Especially for Educators: “Trading Places: Connecting Story Elements Across Texts and Time” from Beth Anderson and Vivian Kirkfield

February 7, 2025

Don’t you wonder sometimes if historical figures in the same time period knew each other? or knew about each other? I thought about that a lot when I was working on stories of Prudence Wright and Deborah Sampson. They lived in the same colony, at the same time, both animated by the revolutionary spirit. With … More Especially for Educators: “Trading Places: Connecting Story Elements Across Texts and Time” from Beth Anderson and Vivian Kirkfield

Behind the Scenes: “Telling Your Story” by Selene Castrovilla

January 24, 2025

I’m a fan of Selene Castrovilla’s writing…and the ways she finds to tell stories. I know how hard it is to take a snippet of history, dig out the information, and create a story that’s engaging and meaningful! Her new book, GEORGE WASHINGTON’S SPECTACULAR SPECTACLES: THE GLASSES THAT SAVED AMERICA is fabulous! Here Selene shares … More Behind the Scenes: “Telling Your Story” by Selene Castrovilla

Behind the Scenes: “A Biography’s Journey: From Dry to Lively” by Lori Alexander

August 2, 2024

Transforming a pile of information into story is a challenge. And then when you think you’ve done it, you learn it’s not working as you’d hoped. In this post, author Lori Alexander shares how she continued to revise until the story came alive. Her examples are informative, and the tips she leaves us with are … More Behind the Scenes: “A Biography’s Journey: From Dry to Lively” by Lori Alexander

Behind the Scenes: “A Grand Idea requires Perseverance, Determination, and Courage!” by Megan Hoyt

May 31, 2024

Finding the focus and creating impact is always a huge challenge when faced with piles of research. I understand Megan Hoyt’s struggle with landing on just the right way to tell a story! In this post, Megan shares how she worked through a few ideas until she found what worked. GIVEAWAY! Megan is offering one … More Behind the Scenes: “A Grand Idea requires Perseverance, Determination, and Courage!” by Megan Hoyt

Mining for Heart: “Discovering a Kindred Spirit” by Jill Esbaum

March 22, 2024

I wonder if we all have a childhood passion sleeping inside of us just waiting to be awakened. For Jill Esbaum, this was her personal connection, her way into a story about Gene Stratton-Porter. With this post and this gorgeous new book, Jill will have all of us thinking about revisiting long ago  joys. We … More Mining for Heart: “Discovering a Kindred Spirit” by Jill Esbaum

Especially for Educators: “Using Picture Books Across Curriculum Subjects in Every Grade Level” by Vivian Kirkfield

February 16, 2024

Vivian Kirkfield, one of the kid lit community’s most energetic encouragers, has a new book hitting bookstores—and wow! it’s a powerful story beautifully told! PEDAL, BALANCE, STEER: ANNIE LONDONDERRY, THE FIRST WOMAN TO CYCLE AROUND THE WORLD will inspire and bring history alive for all ages. Like Vivian, I’m a former teacher who’s a firm … More Especially for Educators: “Using Picture Books Across Curriculum Subjects in Every Grade Level” by Vivian Kirkfield

Mining for Heart: “A Love of Reading that Guided the Life of Jaqueline Kennedy Onassis” by Ronni Diamondstein

November 10, 2023

Reading and books are near and dear to the hearts of so many of us. Here librarian Ronni Diamondstein shares her path to the heart of her new book JACKIE AND THE BOOKS SHE LOVED, finding connection in a love of reading and writing.  Giveaway! Ronni is offering a signed copy of her book to … More Mining for Heart: “A Love of Reading that Guided the Life of Jaqueline Kennedy Onassis” by Ronni Diamondstein

Mining for Heart: “You’ve Gotta Have Heart” by Nancy Churnin

November 3, 2023

WHY? That’s always my driving question as an author bringing stories from the past to life. And it was where author Nancy Churnin started, too, for her latest book, VALENTINES FOR ALL. Here she shares her process of putting her heart and the heart of the story on the page. GIVEAWAY! Nancy’s giveaway comes with … More Mining for Heart: “You’ve Gotta Have Heart” by Nancy Churnin

Behind the Scenes: “‘Twas a Long Time Coming: A New Look for Benjamin Franklin” by Gretchen Woelfle

October 20, 2023

One look at my bookcase will tell you I’m a fan of Benjamin Franklin. That man was into everything! For a writer, no matter what you want to share about him, there’s the challenge of focus, scope, and finding the best way to tell the story. In this post, author Gretchen Woelfle shares how she … More Behind the Scenes: “‘Twas a Long Time Coming: A New Look for Benjamin Franklin” by Gretchen Woelfle