Harrison, that extraordinary school in South Bend, had these activities!

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.

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.

This brief paperback book is for young readers, reading on their own. It is level 3, ages 7 and 8. It is often featured as part of Scholastic Book Club offerings.

Army ants, tropical forests, and symbiosis play into this suspenseful insect picture book. Enjoy the Panamanian parade! This book is based on our real experiences in ant swarms in Panama.