Category: STEM/STEAM

Especially for Educators: “Connect Texts Across Time, Place, and the Human Experience” by Ann McCallum Staats and Beth Anderson

October 9, 2026

Author Ann McCallum Staats and I both celebrated a book birthday on 9/29/26 with the release of A QUILT OF STARS and THE PATRIOTS AND THE POX! As two former teachers, we know the best way to celebrate is with educators. These two books might appear to have nothing more in common than science and … More Especially for Educators: “Connect Texts Across Time, Place, and the Human Experience” by Ann McCallum Staats and Beth Anderson

#AmericanRevolution250—Behind the Scenes: “George and Me” by Ashley Yazdani

October 2, 2026

I am thrilled to share this post from Ashley Yazdani, illustrator of THE PATRIOTS AND THE POX: GEORGE WASHINGTON’S BATTLE TO SAVE THE CONTINENTAL ARMY! It’s always fascinating for me to learn about the illustration process, and I’m sure you’ll find this interesting, too! My immense gratitude to Ashley for her amazing work on THE … More #AmericanRevolution250—Behind the Scenes: “George and Me” by Ashley Yazdani

Behind the Scenes: “Making the Most of Delays and Detours” by Nora Nickum 

September 25, 2026

Though delays and challenges are frustrating, author Nora Nickum found that embracing them resulted in a better book in multiple ways for WILD MEDICINE: INVENTING WAYS TO SAVE ENDANGERED ANIMALS. Patience, perseverance, and continued learning paid off!! GIVEAWAY! Leave a comment below for a chance to win a copy of WILD MEDICINE: INVENTING WAYS TO … More Behind the Scenes: “Making the Most of Delays and Detours” by Nora Nickum 

Behind the Scenes: “Listening for the Music in BLUES WITH A BUTTER KNIFE” by Jason Peterson

September 18, 2026

Here’s a terrific post from author Jason Peterson on finding the balance between details of a life and “the feel” of that life in the world in BLUES WITH A BUTTER KNIFE: THE UNSTOPPABLE MUSIC OF CEDELL DAVIS. GIVEAWAY! Leave a comment below to get in on the giveaway for a copy of BLUES WITH … More Behind the Scenes: “Listening for the Music in BLUES WITH A BUTTER KNIFE” by Jason Peterson

My Writing Journey: “An Author’s Battle with TMI—Too Much Information!” by Beth Anderson

September 11, 2026

In this year of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, it’s truly an honor to share a little-known piece of history in THE PATRIOTS AND THE POX: GEORGE WASHINGTON’S BATTLE TO SAVE THE CONTINENTAL ARMY, releasing 9/29/26. Here’s a peek behind the scenes of the writing and how I wrestled with TOO MUCH INFORMATION—an … More My Writing Journey: “An Author’s Battle with TMI—Too Much Information!” by Beth Anderson

Mining for Heart: “How a Patchwork Quilt Reflects a Patchwork World” by Ann McCallum Staats

August 28, 2026

Just as perspective led to Karen Nyberg’s global quilt project from space, author Ann McCallum Staats found the heart of A QUILT OF STARS: ASTRONAUT KAREN NYBERG STITCHES A DREAM by exploring perspective. In this fascinating story, a bit of tradition and old-fashioned skills find their place in space! GIVEAWAY! Leave a comment below for … More Mining for Heart: “How a Patchwork Quilt Reflects a Patchwork World” by Ann McCallum Staats

Behind the Scenes: “The Power of Place to Find Story” by Darcy Pattison

July 17, 2026

This post from author Darcy Pattison is a perfect sequel to Colleen Paeff’s post last week. Both authors experienced the power of place as they approached a story. A trip to Poland helped Darcy visualize the life of Copernicus so very long ago to create NIGHT: HOW COPERNICUS MADE THE SUN STAND STILL AND THE … More Behind the Scenes: “The Power of Place to Find Story” by Darcy Pattison

Mining for Heart: “Finding a Story’s Heart in the Place Where it Happened (and How to Get There Without Leaving Home)” by Colleen Paeff

July 10, 2026

Visiting a place is magical, but authors can’t always do that to research a story. Here’s a fantastic post from author Colleen Paeff on how she landed on the heart of her puffling rescue story in Iceland, along with some tips for how to get a sense of place, people, and the heart of a … More Mining for Heart: “Finding a Story’s Heart in the Place Where it Happened (and How to Get There Without Leaving Home)” by Colleen Paeff

Mining for Heart: “Widening the Scope of an Animal Concept Book” by Zewlan Moor

June 19, 2026

The pandemic a few years ago put us all in the throes of history and pushed thinking in many ways, not only medically, but also regarding human connections. And here we have a children’s book by Zewlan Moor impacted by creative greetings that widened the scope of greetings in the animal world. Giveaway!! Leave a … More Mining for Heart: “Widening the Scope of an Animal Concept Book” by Zewlan Moor

Behind the Scenes: “Deconstructing Debug This Book” by Omar Abed

June 5, 2026

What a treat to share this post from author Omar Abed about the beginning of DEBUG THIS BOOK, a creative story, illustrated by one of my critique partners, the uber creative Julie Rowan Zoch! It was a long time coming, but it’s out in the world June 30! Like Omar did, we all hope that … More Behind the Scenes: “Deconstructing Debug This Book” by Omar Abed