Playing on the phrase, The author and you, a commonly taught reading comprehension strategy that teaches the learner how to look at the words of an author and make inferences about what is being said, this series assists teachers and teacher-librarians in understanding the underlying purposes of the author as they prepare learning activities for their students. Through family photos, reminiscences, anecdotes and stories, Toni Buzzeo relates her lifelong preparation to become a writer. The book features wonderful insights into the creation of her picture books for children and interesting creative lesson activities to use with students. The series focuses primarily on books for the elementary age child (K-6), featuring insights into the author's background, purposes and goals in writing books. By furnishing an overview of the author's works, the books in the series give teachers the big picture. Each book features personal information about the author, including insights into why this author has chosen to write in a specific genre plus lesson plans and/or activities for each of the author's books featured. These lessons will stress the particular interest of the author and the author and you (the teacher) will build a collaborative instructional relationship using the material provided. Each book is written by the featured author or in close collaboration with the author. Using family photographs, reminiscences, anecdotes and stories, Toni Buzzeo relates her lifelong preparation to become a writer. The book features wonderful insights into the creation of her picture books for children and interesting creative lesson activities to use with students. Grades K-6.

Cora Mae Tipton is determined to light up her Appalachian community in this historical fiction novel from an award-winning author and former librarian. It’s 1937 and the government is pushing to bring electricity to the mountains of southeastern Kentucky. It’s all Cora can think of; radios with news from around the world, machines that keep food cold, lightbulbs by which to read at night! Cora figures she can help spread the word by starting a school newspaper and convincing her neighbors to support the Rural Electrification Act. But resistance to change isn’t easy to overcome, especially when it starts at home. Cora’s mother is a fierce opponent of electrification. She argues that protecting the landscape of the holler—the trees, the streams, the land that provides for their way of life—is their responsibility. But Cora just can’t let go of wanting more. Lyrical, literary, and deeply heartfelt, this debut novel from an award-winning author-librarian speaks to family, friendship, and loss through the spirited perspective of a girl eager for an electrified existence, but most of all, the light of her mother’s love and acceptance. Back matter includes an Author’s Note; further information on the Rural Electrification Act, the herbs and plants of Appalachia, the Pack Horse Library Project, and more; and a “Quick Questions” historical trivia section for readers. A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

Playing on the phrase, the author and you which is a commonly taught reading comprehension strategy that teaches the learner how to look at the words of an author and make inferences about what is being said, this new series will assist the teacher and teacher librarian in understanding the underlying purposes of the author as they prepare learning activities for their students. The series that will focus primarily on books for the elementary age child (K-6) will feature insights into the author's background, purposes and goals in writing his books. By furnishing an overview of the author's works, the books in the series will give teachers the big picture. Each book will feature personal information about the author, including insight into why he writes the type of books he does plus lesson plans and/or activities for each of the author's books featured. These lessons will stress the particular interest of the author and the author and you (the teacher) will build a collaborative instructional relationship using the material provided. Each book will be written by the featured author or in close collaboration with him. The first book in the series features the life and work of Gerald McDermott, Caldecott winning picture book author. It discusses his life and work and the researching, writing, and illustrating of each book. Discussion of children's reading development, including strategies and visual literacies, and lesson plans and activities for each title provide practical help. This book provides a fascinating window into the life and work of the beloved children's author and gives insight into Anansi, Arrow to the Sun, Raven, Creation and all of his wonderful tales. Grades K-6.

This book features Jim Aylesworth, a popular picture book author. It discusses his life and work and the researching, writing, and illustrating of selected books. Discussion of children's reading development, including strategies and the author's philosophy about using books with children is included, while lesson plan ideas and activities for each title provide practical help and extend student learning. The book is a fascinating window into the life and work of this popular children's author and gives insight into Old Black Fly, Tricky Fox, and each of his tales. Playing on the phrase, The author and you—a commonly taught reading comprehension strategy—this new series assists the teacher and teacher librarian in understanding the underlying purposes of the author as they prepare learning activities for their students. The series (and this book) focuses primarily on books for the elementary age child (K–6) and features insights into the author's background, purposes, and goals in writing his books. By furnishing an overview of the author's works, the books in the series give teachers the big picture. Each book features personal information about the author, including insight into why he or she writes a particular type of book, plus ideas that will assist teachers in lesson plans and/or activities for each of the author's featured books. Lessons stress the particular interest of the author so the author and you (the teacher) can build a collaborative instructional relationship using the material provided. Each book is written by the featured author or in close collaboration with him or her.

Playing on the phrase, The author and you, a commonly taught reading comprehension strategy that teaches the learner how to look at the words of an author and make inferences about what is being said, this new series will assist teachers and teacher librarians in understanding the underlying purposes of an author as they prepare learning activities for students. The series focuses primarily on books for the elementary age child (K–6) and features insights into the author's background, purposes, and goals in writing his or her books. By furnishing an overview of an author's works, the books in the series give teachers the big picture. This book, like the others in the series, features personal information about the author, including insights into why she writes the type of books she writes, There is also information about each of the author's books featured. Part II of the book is the author's writing workshop—writing about writing. This book features Jacqueline Briggs Martin, award winning picture book author. It discusses her life and work and the researching, writing, and illustrating of each of her books, providing insight into the writing process and promoting reading as a source of good writing.

This title features the personal reflections of non fiction picture book author illustrator, Bob Barner, including insight into his life, his path to becoming a successful children's author illustrator and the back story behind his books. Mr. Barner offers activity suggestions for each of his featured books and interesting details to share with students that will pique their interest in writing and illustrating. His discussion of his creative process in such books as Dem Bones, Stars, Stars, Stars and Bugs! Bugs! Bugs! is both fascinating and instructive to teachers and the young writers with whom they work. The book is beautifully illustrated with art from Mr. Barner's books. Grades K-6. Playing on the phrase, The author and you which is a commonly taught reading comprehension strategy that teaches the learner how to look at the words of an author and make inferences about what is being said, this new series will assist the teacher and teacher librarian in understanding the underlying purposes of the author as they prepare learning activities for their students. The series that will focus primarily on books for the elementary age child (K-6) will feature insights into the author's background, purposes and goals in writing his books. By furnishing an overview of the author's works, the books in the series will give teachers insight into the big picture of their creative process. This title features the personal reflections of non fiction picture book author illustrator, Bob Barner, including insight into his life, his path to becoming a successful children's author illustrator and the back story behind his books. Mr. Barner offers activity suggestions for each of his featured books and interesting details to share with students that will pique their interest in writing and illustrating. His discussion of his creative process in such books as Dem Bones, Stars, Stars, Stars and, Bugs! Bugs! Bugs! is both fascinating and instructive to teachers and the young writers they instruct. The book is beautifully illustrated with art from Mr. Barner's books. Grades K-6.

Exciting, productive connections with authors, illustrators, and storytellers are at your fingertips with this resource. Unlike other author visit guides, this book goes beyond nuts-and-bolts planning to how to create the best possible encounters between students and authors. Successful visits in real space and in cyberspace are described, giving you specific ideas of the many ways to connect with and create meaningful links between bookpeople and children. Choosing the right guest, guidelines for successful visits, making curriculum connections, using e-mail to connect with bookpeople, live chats in virtual space, taking advantage of ITB and satellite technology, and using such props as realia and curriculum guides are some of the topics covered. Lists of author/illustrator web pages and managed Internet sites for author interaction are included.

Award-winning author Jane Kurtz spent most of her childhood in East Africa. In Jane Kurtz and YOU, she writes about animal spotting on the savanna, all-day treks on a treacherous road, and periodic visits to the United States where her fellow students asked, Did you see Tarzan? Each chapter contains a section that focuses on writing traits and the writing process, unlocking the mysteries of how authors come up with interesting ideas, hunt for vivid details, use words with sparkle and pizzazz, craft sentences and paragraphs that have pleasing rhythms, organize in clear and compelling ways, find their writing personality, and revise for big and little changes. Grades K-6. This title features the personal reflections on Kurtz's books for readers in grades K-6; including insight into her life, her path to becoming a successful children's author and the back story behind her books. Kurtz provides many suggestions for ways to think about writing- suggestions for connecting her books to common traits of good writers. Award-winning author Jane Kurtz spent most of her childhood in East Africa. In Jane Kurtz and YOU, she writes about animal spotting on the savanna, all-day treks to manage thirty-two miles on a treacherous road, periodic visits to the U.S. where her fellow students asked, Did you see Tarzan? Each chapter contains a section that focuses on writing traits and writing process, unlocking the mysteries of how authors come up with interesting ideas, hunt for vivid details, use words with sparkle and pizzaz, craft sentences and paragraphs that have pleasing rhythms, organize in clear and compelling ways, find their writing personality, and revise for big and little changes. The book's many photographs offer fascinating glimpses into the experiences that shaped Jane's picture books and novels for young readers and that nudged her to help start the first free library for children in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia. Grades K-6.

Here is the comprehensive guide to writing, publishing, and selling for the ever-expanding and always exciting children’s market—now in a new and updated third edition. • Includes new chapters on self-publishing and on "how to choose a how-to," plus revision and updates throughout • Offers practical advice on getting started--and on dealing with out-of-print books • Covers picture books, chapter books, nonfiction, middle-grade and young novels, and common formats and genres • Reveals what happens inside a children's publishing company, and provides guidance in working with an editor • Sample cover and query letters, manuscript format, glossary, and recommended resources in an extensive appendix • Plus information on agents, contracts, copyright, marketing, and more “Honest and precise… everything about writing for children there is to know.” —Jane Yolen, author