Category: STEM/STEAM

Mining for Heart: “The Journey of a Rock, a Story, & a Writer” by Carmela LaVigna Coyle

September 29, 2023

Ever interview your main character? What if it’s a rock? Sounds like a good idea to me! Once you start asking questions a path can open. In this post, author Carmela LaVigna Coyle takes us down her path to her beautiful new picture book, SOMETHING SPECTACULAR: A ROCK’S JOURNEY. GIVEAWAY! Carmela is offering a copy … More Mining for Heart: “The Journey of a Rock, a Story, & a Writer” by Carmela LaVigna Coyle

Especially for Educators: “Using Science to Teach Language Arts” by Elizabeth Shreeve

September 15, 2023

Kids love sloths! I love sloths! And I love the bonus of science in language arts lessons. Here’s a science book  that’s perfect for teaching language arts—on a topic that students can’t resist. Elizabeth Shreeve shares a flexible, fun “Discovery Tree” activity developed with a STEM teacher especially for busy classrooms. GIVEAWAY! Just leave a … More Especially for Educators: “Using Science to Teach Language Arts” by Elizabeth Shreeve

Mining for Heart: “One Seed, Many Connections” by Sue Heavenrich

August 25, 2023

THE SEED THAT MOLLY GREW is all about connections that come from the miracle of a tiny seed. Author Sue Heavenrich even found a way to make story structure a part of that heart! This is a perfect book to share for fall as kids’ attention turns to pumpkins.  Congratulations to A. Turner, winner of … More Mining for Heart: “One Seed, Many Connections” by Sue Heavenrich

Behind the Scenes: “Circular Thinking” by Sue Lowell Gallion

August 18, 2023

There’s nothing more fun than a book that is a shape! The first book of the nonfiction board book series by Sue Lowell Gallion and Lisk Feng (Phaidon Press) caught my eye immediately. It looks like a globe and stands up! One thing I didn’t think about was what that means for the writing. So … More Behind the Scenes: “Circular Thinking” by Sue Lowell Gallion

Behind the Scenes: “The Long Journey of ARMANDO’S ISLAND” by Marsha Diane Arnold

August 4, 2023

I would bet just about every writer has been asked, “How long does it take you to write a book?” Well…it turns out every book has its own story of becoming. And if you peruse this blog, you’ll find many books that sprang from ideas or experiences many years earlier. Here, Marsha Diane Arnold shares … More Behind the Scenes: “The Long Journey of ARMANDO’S ISLAND” by Marsha Diane Arnold

Mining for Heart: “A Transformation Invites New Life” by Jessica Stremer

June 23, 2023

Stories of inanimate objects offer their own special challenge. As with all stories, I think the secret is to find a meaningful personal connection that also connects to children. In Jessica Stremer’s new book, GREAT CARRIER REEF, she was drawn to the idea of transformation. Read on to find out how this idea played out … More Mining for Heart: “A Transformation Invites New Life” by Jessica Stremer

Especially for Educators: “Using Back Matter to Inspire Lesson Plans” by Roxanne Troup

May 26, 2023

Maps! And trees! I’m a fan of both! Here’s an activity to use with MY GRANDPA, MY TREE, AND ME by Roxanne Troup—ready to go for busy educators! Roxanne is offering a GIVEAWAY—a free 30-minute virtual visit! For a teacher, it can be a virtual author visit for a classroom. Or for a writer, a … More Especially for Educators: “Using Back Matter to Inspire Lesson Plans” by Roxanne Troup

Behind the Scenes: “What’s the Big Idea?” by Donna McKinney

April 28, 2023

In today’s post, Donna McKinney hits one of my favorite topics—structure. I’m fascinated by the way playing with structure can open up your thinking and writing. Her book LIGHTS ON! started with a list of fascinating undersea creatures, but then she needed to find a way to shape the information to be engaging for kids. “What’s the … More Behind the Scenes: “What’s the Big Idea?” by Donna McKinney

Especially for Educators: “A Nature Walk Activity Inspired by ‘Just a Worm'” by Marie Boyd

April 7, 2023

Think back to when you were a child and dared to hold a wiggly worm or lifted rocks in search of fishing bait. Worms fascinate despite the EW factor. Marie Boyd’s JUST A WORM can be the beginning of an exploration for kids. Here she shared a nature walk to use with the book.  Be … More Especially for Educators: “A Nature Walk Activity Inspired by ‘Just a Worm'” by Marie Boyd

Behind the Scenes: “Making the Moment of a Calculator’s Invention Relatable for Kids” by Jan Lower

March 31, 2023

How do you make a story about math and electricity comprehensible and relatable for kids? Author Jan Lower knew she needed to “show don’t tell,” but how? Finding connections for elementary aged children in the main character’s actions and processes, she crafted each sentence to build a child-friendly and engaging text. Here’s how Jan did … More Behind the Scenes: “Making the Moment of a Calculator’s Invention Relatable for Kids” by Jan Lower