Category: STEM/STEAM

Behind the Scenes: “Making Your Book Stand Out in a Crowded Market” by Suzanne Lipshaw

November 15, 2024

One of the great changes in nonfiction for kids is that, unlike the old days with a standard, sterile, informational text format, now we see all kinds of engaging nonfiction, including informational fiction, creative nonfiction, and narratives. Creative approaches broaden understanding by allowing kids to see a familiar topic in new ways, as well as … More Behind the Scenes: “Making Your Book Stand Out in a Crowded Market” by Suzanne Lipshaw

Behind the Scenes: “Building Tension in Nonfiction Picture Books” by Donna McKinney

October 25, 2024

In this post, author Donna McKinney addresses the challenge of finding the essential tension needed to pull readers through a nonfiction story and keep them turning pages. GIVEAWAY! Donna is giving away a copy of TINY TERN TAKES FLIGHT to one person who comments below! Congratulations to Lillie Pardo , winner of a copy of … More Behind the Scenes: “Building Tension in Nonfiction Picture Books” by Donna McKinney

Especially for Educators: “What Can I Do? Using Books to Inspire Action” by Laura Perdew

October 18, 2024

As an educator, it was truly exciting to watch as kids discovered their agency. Here’s a great post from author Laura Perdew with a super new book and activities to inspire children to adopt sustainable habits, discover how they can make a difference, and become agents of change. Please share this post with teachers, parents, … More Especially for Educators: “What Can I Do? Using Books to Inspire Action” by Laura Perdew

Mining for Heart: “How Text and Photos Work Together to Dive to the Heart of a Book” by Patricia Newman

October 4, 2024

Today’s post features another fantastic nonfiction book for kids from the STEAM TEAM. Read on to learn how author Patricia Newman created the heart of GIANT RAYS OF HOPE using text and photos. And don’t miss the book trailer linked at the end of the post—it gave me goosebumps!  Congratulations to Marcia Strykowski, winner of … More Mining for Heart: “How Text and Photos Work Together to Dive to the Heart of a Book” by Patricia Newman

Especially for Educators: “Passive to Active: Using a Game to Engage Students with Nonfiction” by Elizabeth Shreeve

September 6, 2024

Kids love animals—especially the weird ones! Elizabeth Shreeve shares a science book for ages 7-10 that celebrates one of Earth’s most unique group of critters. The Teacher Guide comes with “The Adaptation Game,” a fun, card-based activity developed with STEM experts. GIVEAWAY! Leave a comment after the post to enter the drawing for a copy … More Especially for Educators: “Passive to Active: Using a Game to Engage Students with Nonfiction” by Elizabeth Shreeve

Behind the Scenes: “How to Get an Expert Interview for Your Nonfiction PB” by Becca McMurdie

August 23, 2024

It’s always hard to approach an expert to ask for their time and expertise. And when you don’t have a track record and published titles to prove you’re bonafide, the real deal, worthy of trust, it can be truly daunting. In this post, debut author Becca McMurdie shares her approach and the sample letter that … More Behind the Scenes: “How to Get an Expert Interview for Your Nonfiction PB” by Becca McMurdie

Behind the Scenes: “A Sensory Recipe for Writing Nonfiction” by Nell Cross Beckerman

August 9, 2024

With a goal of writing a book for kids about volcanoes using lyrical language, author Nell Cross Beckerman not only researched for information, she also used her own and gathered more sensory input. Here’s how using her senses paid off in writing VOLCANOES. Congratulations to Claire Annette, winner of Lori Alexander’s giveaway of a picture … More Behind the Scenes: “A Sensory Recipe for Writing Nonfiction” by Nell Cross Beckerman

Behind the Scenes: “Why Art Notes Can Make or Break a Manuscript” by Maria Marianayagam

June 28, 2024

In an article I wrote recently for GROG Blog about my experience with illustration notes with THOMAS JEFFERSON’S BATTLE FOR SCIENCE, my look back over the editorial revision process showed that when the text was clarified, the notes weren’t needed. In this post, Maria Marianayagam shares a very different experience. Once again, there are no … More Behind the Scenes: “Why Art Notes Can Make or Break a Manuscript” by Maria Marianayagam

Behind the Scenes: “Which Point of View?” by Julia Wasson

June 21, 2024

There are so many ways to tell a story. Author Julia Wasson tried many formats before she found the right voice and point of view for CAN YOU HEAR THE PLANTS SPEAK? And landing on just the right way proved magical!    Julia is offering a GIVEAWAY of a copy of CAN YOU HEAR THE … More Behind the Scenes: “Which Point of View?” by Julia Wasson

Behind the Scenes: How to Sell an “Evergreen” Manuscript by Christine Van Zandt

June 14, 2024

Some topics and themes are “evergreen,” eternally relevant, but they present their own challenges. Check out this post from author Christine Van Zandt about how she handled a familiar topic and made it special.  GIVEAWAY! Christine is offering a copy MILKWEED FOR MONARCHS to one lucky person who leaves a comment below! Congratulations to Angela, … More Behind the Scenes: How to Sell an “Evergreen” Manuscript by Christine Van Zandt