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Yesterday I participated in the Treasure Coast Annual Children’s Conference, similar to the one I did earlier this month at Sanford Community College, for early childhood educators. I am always amazed and delighted at how many people are familiar with my “Over in the Ocean, in a Coral Reef.” (A Scholastic reprint makes it more affordable at $4.95, and it was featured in their See-Saw and Firefly Book Clubs.) Dawn Publications has linked extension activities that I wrote for that book to their website. There are 20 “story stretchers” that can be downloaded. Enjoy!

Dawn Publications

See you next month! Yikes, that’s tomorrow!!

Could it be the end of January already?
Guess so, since I’m almost ready to present at the 6th Annual Early Childhood Education Conference, Saturday, Feb. 6 at Seminole State College, in Sanford, Florida.

It is always a joy to share my books with educators, especially when there is time for me to talk about some of the activities (science, math, language arts, music and art) that can be used with them. Right now I’m working on a hand-out for the Feb. 6 Conference called “Suggested Activities for Early Childhood Educators” to use with my picture book, “Over in the Ocean, in a Coral Reef” published by Dawn Publications in 2004.

If anyone reading this blog would like me to e-mail you a copy of this five-page document, just send me an e-mail.

And, along this line, educators (and parents) may want to check out the books (more…)

Before 2009 comes to a close I want to thank all the people who made this year so special for me as a children’s picture book author. To teachers who share their love of reading with their students and bring a sense of wonder to their classrooms;
To parents who spend precious, intimate moments, (more…)

The "Wild About Nature" Trio reviewed my "Marsh" books published by Lerner (The Millbrook Press)recently saying, "This symphony of music is both educational and beautiful." See more at:
Nature writers blogsite

October was filled with wonderful literary events in NY, CT and back in Florida. It got by me without updating my blog. But I need to tell you about the upcoming NSTA Conference in Ft.Lauderdale before it is over. Check out NSTA website Hope to see you there!

Janeen Mason and I are looking forward to presenting "Beam Up to Reading with Going Around the Sun: Some Planetary Fun" this coming Friday at the Annual Florida Reading Association Conference at the Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando. We'll share how this creative book about the planets gives students a chance to further their language development as they read. Book Signing will follow the presentation so teachers have the opportunity to have their books autographed by both the author and the illustrator. See FRA website.

What a special day today was! Linda Wiggins at Braille International gave me a tour of their facility and I learned how "Over in the Ocean, in a Coral Reef" was put together in braille. Linda advised that they have had responses from 28 counties in Florida who serve blind students and that 345 books have been distributed to schools, students and teachers throughout the state of Florida. Over 100 schools are involved! I wish with all my heart that these kids could see the amazing illustrations, but it is so rewarding to know that my words can tell my story and that blind students will "see" and "feel" the illustrations through the eyes of teachers and students who are sharing my book with them.

I am very grateful to the Treasure Coast Children's Museum in Stuart, Florida, who with a grant, made this all possible.

The Children's Museum of the Treasure Coast recently purchased 250 copies of "Over in the Ocean, in a Coral Reef" to benefit both sighted and blind children in Florida. Working with Braille International, clear Braille overlays were added to the book, one set for beginning readers and another for those more proficient at reading Braille. 180 copies of the book have been sent to blind schools and agencies across the state.
With the remainder of the books, the Museum is working with Braille International to develop educational programming for use with sighted children, teaching them the basics of the Braille system, while incorporating other tactile activities.
I'm meeting with Linda Wiggins, Director of Administration at Braille International next week to learn more about this wonderful project and to see and "feel" what has been done with my book.

More to come....

The AIME/ILF (Indiana Library Federation)recently named "Over in the Jungle, a Rainforest Rhyme" as one of ten picture books for their Read Alouds Too Good to Miss List. This is wonderful news since in 2008 "Over in the Ocean, in a Coral Reef" was a Young Hoosier Award Nominee. Here's the link:
AIME/ILF website.

Author, Kim Hutmacher, reviewed "Over in the Arctic, Where the Cold Waters Run" and "Over in the Jungle, a Rainforest Rhyme." And, author, Laura Crawford, interviewed me. These talented authors and teachers are "Wild About Nature". Visit Nature writers blogsite