Category Archives: Uncategorized

On February 2, 2022, children’s authors will be offering FREE virtual readings to students everywhere through World Read Aloud Day (WRAD). I’m thrilled to participate this year and am offering six 20-minute slots to read my science-based, nonfiction picture book, Pando: A Living Wonder of Trees, which has been named one of the best booksContinue reading “World Read Aloud Day 2022”

If you read my book, Pando: A Living Wonder of Trees, you may have become fascinated (as I did) with the real Pando. To review, Pando is, as the Friends of Pando website explains, “a quaking aspen clone comprised of over 40,000 stems. Stems which appear to us as individual trees, but in fact, areContinue reading “Become a “Friend of Pando””

Exciting news! Pando: A Living Wonder of Trees (written by me, illustrated by Turine Tran) has been named one of the Best Books of 2021 by both School Library Journal and Chicago Public Library.  School Library Journal writes, “Fox takes lessons from the natural world that are all but unfathomable and creates a perfect tale, gorgeously evoked inContinue reading “A “Best Book” of 2021″

Today is a day I’ve dreamed about for a long time: the official release date of my very first book! Pando: A Living Wonder of Trees, illustrated by Turine Tran, is out in the world! This book has been years in the making. I wrote my first draft in early 2019. I signed with anContinue reading “It’s My Book Birthday!”

With less than two weeks to go until the release of Pando: A Living Wonder of Trees (illustrated by Turine Tran), things are heating up! I’ll be doing several free online storytimes: Wednesday, August 18th, 12:30PM Pacific: Storytime with the San Diego Children’s Discovery Center (on Facebook). Learn more here. Sunday, August 22nd, 1PM Pacific:Continue reading “Upcoming Events & Recent Interviews”

Buckle up! It’s debut time! In exactly one month, my debut picture book, Pando: A Living Wonder of Trees (illustrated by Turine Tran), will hit shelves. If you preorder (or already have), I will send you a signed bookplate for your copy, and you will be entered to win a Grow Your Own Aspen kit!Continue reading “One-month-til-release Preorder Giveaway!”

A story’s first line is an invitation to the reader. In a few short phrases, the author introduces the subject and tone of the story, creating context and mood. This is particularly true of picture books, where low word counts create even more pressure for an opening line that pulls the reader in. So muchContinue reading “First Line Transformations & GIVEAWAY”

It’s been a while since I’ve featured a preschooler-approved picture book, so today I’m thrilled to share Cow Says Meow by Kirsti Call and Brandon James Scott, which launches on March 16th! With this fantastically fun read, Call, who co-authored Mootilda’s Bad Mood, has become the official queen of Bovine Silliness (you heard it hereContinue reading “Preschooler-approved PB: COW SAYS MEOW”

As a picture book creator, getting high-quality feedback on your work can be a huge hurdle to upping your writing game. Good news! Brian Gehrlein (author of THE BOOK OF RULES–out next year–and creator of pbspotlight.com) is running a FANTASTIC critique giveaway this month! Some of the biggest names in kidlit, including Ame Dykman, TaraContinue reading “Critique Giveaway: #PBCritiqueFest”

When you think of teaching science, you might imagine dry, boring textbooks. And if you unexpectedly find yourself homeschooling this year, you might be less than enthused about teaching those. Luckily for you, your local library is chock full of gorgeous, engaging STEM picture books. These books are perfect for early elementary schoolers and alsoContinue reading “Perfect Picture Books for Science Homeschooling”