Experience:
- 40+ years full-time children’s book writer
- 185 children’s and young adult books published
Honors and Recognition:
- 49 books translated into 13 languages
- Booklist Starred Reviews, School Library Journal Starred Reviews, ALA Recommended Book for Reluctant Readers, New York Times 10 Best Illustrated Book, Best Science Book, CBC Notable Children’s Social Studies Book, Pick of the List, New York Public Library Best 100 Book, Book-of-the-Month Club Selection, Smithsonian Notable Book, IRA Children’s Choice, IRA Teacher’s Choice, Independent Publisher Silver Medal, Independent Publisher Honorable Mention, Virginia Young Readers, Show Me State Young Readers, Prairie State Readers, Sunshine State Readers, Northern California Librarians Distinguished Book, Chicago Public Library Best of the Best, William Allen White Nominee, Texas Bluebonnet Nominee, Cybils Nominee, Junior Library Guild Selection, Bank Street College Best Book, Good Housekeeping 2022 Kids’ Book Award, School Library Journal Best Book 2023.
Sample Titles:
- Bones in the White House: Thomas Jefferson’s Mammoth (nonfiction picture book)
- Amanda Panda and the Bigger, Better Birthday (picture book)
- Terrier Trouble! (nonfiction chapter book)
- Tooth Fairy’s Night (easy reader)
- Rebel McKenzie (middle-grade novel)
- Iva Honeysuckle Discovers the World (chapter book)
- Hello, Virginia! (board book)
Education/Teaching:
- MFA Writing for Children, Vermont College of Fine Arts
- MA Children’s Literature, Hollins University
- Professor, Spalding University, MFA in Creative Writing
- Professor, Hollins University, MA/MFA Children’s Literature, 2008 – current8