River Read Update--with Pictures!

What a great day to be a Pirate!

River Read was a huge success, thanks to the hard work of Shannon Cuff, her staff, and the Park students who ushered everyone around and made sure all the technology worked.

And thanks to the kids and teachers. You were great! Wish I'd gotten a picture or two of us.

Here are a few of the authors who participated in today's event (photo credit: Natasha Hanova).

(l to r, Susan Schank, Ann Ingalls, me, Lisa McCormick, Mary Schulte, Debra McArthur)

(l to r, Susan Schank, Natasha Hanova, me, Lisa McCormick, Mary Schulte, Debra McArthur)

Park University's River Read is Coming!

Hey Everyone,

Park University's River Read is just around the corner--October 13, 2015--and I'm excited! River Read is a day-long event for 4th graders in the area to gather at Park University and interact with authors of children's literature. Students will learn about writing fiction, nonfiction, the difference among genres, and more.

I'll be participating for the fourth year, and I can't wait to see the kids, their teachers, and parents! My session is called Creating Great Characters. We're going to talk about how writers develop characters their readers care about. What makes fictional characters memorable? How they look? How they speak? How can you tell Henry from Mudge in the text?

I'll try to post a picture or two afterwards. See you soon!

Jody

GOODNIGHT, MANGER by Laura Sassi

Look what the UPS man brought me!

Laura Sassi's darling new picture book, GOODNIGHT, MANGER [Zonderkidz], illustrated by Jane Chapman [The Bear books]! It's all about trying to get a good night's sleep in a really busy stable, and it's darling. The rhyming text is sweet and funny; the illustrations are huggable and witty.

Please go buy yourself a copy when it releases on October 6, 2015. It's the perfect Christmas gift for the baby in your life.

A Box of Healthy Books

Hey, all,

Look what arrived on my doorstep last week--my latest titles from Amicus: INSIDE MY HEART, INSIDE MY LUNGS, and INSIDE MY MUSCLES.

Narrated by characters students will identify with, these super-informative books take readers on a journey inside their bodies. Eye-catching illustrations bring the texts to life.

Check out this description of the Inside My Body series on Amicus' website:

https://www.amicuspublishing.us/books/amicus-illustrated/inside-my-body

Thanks, Amicus!

"Scarecrow's Restaurant" in October Highlights magazine

Yay! My most recent poem is on page 7 in the October 2015 Highlights magazine. Such great art by the talented Luke Flowers!

Thanks, Highlights!

UPDATE--Kirkus review of THE DARING PRINCE DASHING

Hey Everyone,

Remember in early May when Marilou Reeder stopped by and told us about her picture book, THE DARING PRINCE DASHING?

Well now she's got an awesome Kirkus review to show you! The part I especially like is when they acknowledge that Reeder's heroine "isn't in need of saving." Princess Power!

Read the full review below.

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/marilou-t-reeder/the-daring-prince-dashing/

Congratulations, Marilou!

Readers, you can visit Marilou on Twitter @MarilouReeder.

Smart, Fierce, Amazing (Kids and) Animals!

I had a great time recently talking with kids and their caregivers about smart, fierce, and amazing animals at the Mid-Continent Public Library in Liberty, Missouri. We're just about to make grizzly bear claws!