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Welcome to the new website!

It is finally up! I hope the new format, weekly updated content, and expanded educational resources will provide all of you with more fun and assistance in using books in the classroom.  Jeff, the amazing husband, native plants expert, co-author, chai maker, adventure partner designed this site. Over the last year he researched and created all kinds of code for full functionality and database design tailored just for this site. (Long, long ago, in a galaxy far, far away, he had a custom database design company.)

We are still combing through to find errors. Please let us know if you hit any snags. If you have activities related to my books that we can post, let us know.  Happy Autumn!    –April

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What’s New 2007

2007 promises to be a big year, packed with school visits, conference appearances, and three yummy new books:

March Release: HUSH LITTLE PUPPY, illustrated by Susan Winters (Holt) This is a beautiful bedtime book about a little boy trying to get his puppy to sleep. The art by British illustrator Susan Winter is just perfect. 

October Release: BIRD, BIRD, BIRD: A CHIRPING CHANT illustrated by Gary Locke (NorthWord) Gary created art that is laugh out loud hilarious. Continue reading “What’s New 2007”

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What’s New 2005

Ant, Ant, Ant: An Insect ChantWatch out, world. The sequel to TROUT, TROUT, TROUT: A FISH CHANT is coming. Look for Trip Park’s wild and wonderful art in our new book, Ant, Ant, Ant: the Insect Chant (Fall, 2005). This year I’ve finally faced it: I may have a new career as insect lady. Dragonfly on my handTwo of my books this year involve insects: THE BUMBLEBEE QUEEN The Bumblebee Queenand ANT, ANT, ANT: AN INSECT CHANT. These two books join my other insect-related titles: Army Ant Parade, If You Should Hear a Honey Guide, and Home At Last. Really, I keep trying to write about cute, fuzzy mammals but somehow I end up writing about insects or things like dust.

Stars Beneath Your Bed: the Surprising Story of DustAlso released this year was STARS BENEATH YOUR BED: THE SURPRISING STORY OF DUST. I love the meaning of this book–the way the dust from us and dirt and dinosaurs creates the sunset and sunrise colors. This book is deep and about connections.

Wow, what a time it has been since I last updated my website. I have visited some terrific schools in Richmond, VA; Marion, IN; Greenville, SC; Turkey Run, IN; New Carlisle, IN; LaPorte, IN and so many other towns. In January I visited my old middle school, League Academy, in SC. There I met with some fine young authors as well as with some former teachers of mine. I also spent time in Mississippi interviewing relatives about life in the early 1900s.

Jeff and I had a wild adventure driving all the way from Indiana to Death Valley, CA, and back. We went to see and photograph the spring wildflower bloom. On the way we saw petroglyphs, the Painted Desert, and the Grand Canyon.

Perhaps I will see you at ALA in Chicago or at NCTE in Pittsburgh, where I am speaking during the author strand. Or come learn about writing at the Wisconsin SCBWI conference where I will be speaking this October. This summer I will also be giving a workshop for teachers about integrating literature with science. Please drop by any of these events and say hello! I love to reconnect with folks, especially from schools I have visited. Let me know how YOU are doing. Drop me an email with your news. Oh, and about the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker being rediscovered…we are overjoyed!

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What’s New 2004

In June, 2004, NorthWord press is releasing my book TROUT, TROUT, TROUT: THE FISH CHANT, illustrated by Trip Park. This book goes into new and wacky territory, combining lilting language, rhyme, rhythm, informative endmatter, and gorgeous cartoonish illustrations. It’s a great gift book for nature loving children and adult anglers. It’s a hilarious read aloud for libraries…practically a performance piece. Nowhere else will you find such a joyful celebration of North American Freshwater Fish. Park’s watery illustrations are beautiful and goofy at the same time. I LOVE THIS BOOK!

SCHOOL VISITS GO DIGITAL
I’ve gone high tech and high content with my talks this year. My new programs feature digital video of rain forests, hummingbirds, and giant damselflies, plus solid advice and activities related to the writing process, specifically about revision. If I haven’t visited your area in a while, you’ll be amazed how my talks have evolved. I bring my own laptop and digital projector so schools don’t have to hassle with equipment. Last fall I visited fantastic schools in Kentucky, New York state, and South Carolina. Check the Educator’s corner for some creative things educators did at those schools and their reviews of my talks. (Be sure to check out the PASTA ART, which was extraordinary.) I also had a terrific visit to the OKI Literature Conference, where I gave the opening remarks.

ONE IS A SNAIL, TEN IS A CRAB has been a huge hit. It’s been translated into Japanese, Dutch, and French and it’s done well in Britain. Teachers are loving this for math for grades K-5. Yes this book really does work at the older grades. See my Educator’s Corner for what various grades have done with it.

SECRETS OF SOUND was also lauded by CCBC as one of 40 books that were outstanding in their depiction of science and scientists.April, Jeff, Armadillo in Peru

Adventures in Nature!
In February Jeff and I had a great adventure in the Amazon rain forest in Peru. We saw giant otters, parrots, macaws, pink river dolphins, and a HARPY EAGLE! We rode in dugout canoes and fished for piranha. We were in a wild part of the Amazon, far from civilization and city lights, so the stars were magnificent at night.

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What’s New 2003

SAYRE MATH!

Look for a May release of my new picture book, coauthored with my husband Jeff: ONE IS A SNAIL, TEN IS A CRAB. It has hilarious illustrations by Randy Cecil (Candlewick Press.) This book is not your average counting book. it goes all the way to 100, which makes it perfect for 100th day celebrations. It can also be used in studies of odds, evens, and base ten counting, base six counting, and so on. For snail math sheets, see the book page.

This year I’ll be visiting lots of schools and libraries in Indiana and South Carolina. I’ll also be signing at ALA in Toronto. Also, Jeff & I will be speaking about hummingbirds and native plants at the Chicago Flower and Garden Show.

What has happened since our last update?

Three-toed Sloth I photographed in Panama

Last Fall, Jeff & I led a tour to Panama, where we saw the world’s largest damselfly and 100,000 hawks in flight. Right after Panama I had a great week-long visit to schools in and around my hometown of Greenville, South Carolina. Pelham Road Elementary School gave my Mom a wonderful welcome as an honored guest as she accompanied me on an author visit!

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What’s New 2002

It’s been an exciting year. This spring, I was in a nonfiction television program produced by RIFNET, for Reading Is Fundamental volunteers. I’ve been out and about, visiting Virginia, South Carolina, California, and Panama. I spoke in my home state, at the South Carolina Association of School librarians. While in SC, I was interviewed for a program about writing produced by SCETV. Also, Noodle Man: the Pasta Superhero was read on the South Carolina Public radio station, for a program called READING WITH RACHEL. Wow, the state of South Carolina sure knows how to welcome home its own!

In March, Jeff and I were in Panama. We had great views of toucans, anteaters, and monkeys. We can’t wait to return.

Check out the article Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books Rising Star: April Pulley Sayre!

Dig, Wait, Listen: A Desert Toad Tale Fan!