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.

October Release: VULTURE VIEW, illustrated by Steve Jenkins (Holt) I am so excited about this book. The art is spectacular. All cut paper collage. Caldecott Honor winning illustrator Steve Jenkins has outdone himself with this one. His wife even made the paper specially for this work.

This year, look for me at the Butler University Conference, the Dublin Literary Festival (OH), and teacher inservices in Warren TWSHP, IN. My schedule is packed with young author conferences, school visits, and other adventures around the U.S.

Also 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!