How Keisha Morris built the art for A GIRL CAN BUILD ANYTHING — and a giveaway!

I’m happy to welcome illustrator Keisha Morris to the blog today. Keisha created the art for A GIRL CAN BUILD ANYTHING, written by e.E. Charlton-Trujillo and me, which joined the world on April 18. When e.E. and I were writing the book, we thought it would be super-cool if the …

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PECULIAR PRIMATES – Interview with Debra Kempf Shumaker (+Giveaway)

All primates climb and breathe in air. They have big brains and hands and hair… But not all primates are alike. From funny faces and colored butts, to flossing teeth and thumping chests, discover the peculiar ways primates look and act in this delightful non-fiction follow up to Freaky, Funky …

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A perfect discussion starter: UMA WHIMPLE CHARTS HER HOUSE

People learn in different ways. Some, by reading words. Others, by listening to or watching people explain things. And others, by looking at graphs, charts or pictures. I’ve always learned best by reading. In eighth grade, I even taught myself to do a cartwheel and the splits by reading a …

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A Computer Called Katherine (+ Giveaway)

Today I’m over-the-moon to announce the release of my new book (March 12) — A COMPUTER CALLED KATHERINE: HOW KATHERINE JOHNSON HELPED PUT AMERICA ON THE MOON, illustrated by Veronica Miller Jamison. Long before the Hidden Figures movie and book (2016) introduced many people to Katherine Johnson, A COMPUTER CALLED …

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DARING DOZEN (+Giveaway)

Do you know how many people have walked on the moon? (Hint: check out the post title.) That’s right! Only twelve astronauts—ever—have visited our beautiful moon. You’ve probably heard a lot about the moon’s first guests, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, and their famous Apollo 11 landing. Yet most people …

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COUNTDOWN: 2979 DAYS TO THE MOON (+Giveaways!)

It seems some story ideas take longer than others to turn into books. COUNTDOWN: 2979 DAYS TO THE MOON (illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez) was one of those ideas. Ironically, my journey to create this book was about 2979 days. And it’s finally releasing tomorrow—September 1st! Of course, the “2979 Days” subtitle doesn’t refer …

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ASTRONAUT ANNIE Blasts-Off! (illustrator interview + 2 giveaways)

One week from today, March 6, ASTRONAUT ANNIE releases. After writing nonfiction for 20 years, this is my first fiction picture book. So it’s thrilling to see Annie launch into the world! It’s also fun to share my interest/background in space with readers. (Back in my engineering days I worked …

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Science Rocks!

When I was young, science was my favorite subject in school and I was always on the lookout for interesting books on science topics. Today teachers, librarians, and young readers are still hunting for great STEM books. Fortunately, it seems more and more wonderful science titles are being published lately. …

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