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Guess Who Got a Guest Spot on The Van Show?
Whoa – I was interviewed by this lovable blue monster!
I met this book-loving cutie on THE VAN SHOW, taped at the 2023 Texas Library Association Conference. Of course, I have childhood memories of watching celebrities speaking with puppets on kids’ shows, but that kind of meeting was NOT something I ever expected to happen to me – and it was such a treat. Van and I talked about my VERY FIRST book (written in first grade), and the SCIENCE MAKES IT WORK picture book series, with a focus on the SECRETS OF THE SNOW GLOBE book. We had a glittering snow globe on set, too. THE VAN SHOW is a program of the Austin Public Library and the public can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GG2iaJZQkg
Check out other authors, illustrators and creators who have appeared on the show, too, including Varian Johnson, Candace Fleming, Jerry Craft, Guadalupe Garcia McCall, Tim Tingle, Kate DiCamillo and Margarita Engle to name just a few.
Thank you to everyone behind The Van Show – I had such fun being a part of this special program.
Celebration of 2023 World Heritage Festival and Junior Ranger Day at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
To be part of the 2023 World Heritage Festival and Jr Ranger Day on September 9 at Mission San Juan – how amazing was that?! And quite an honor, too.
I presented a story time read-aloud of IF I WERE A PARK RANGER, met great families, junior rangers and some possible future park rangers. Also led a Q & A with three amazing park rangers who shared their stories of the very first national park sites they visited, and their favorite parts of their career.
All in attendance also found out when each park ranger KNEW that they wanted to be park rangers…one shared the story of how she decided when she 
was a kid!
And that day, some young visitors created their own artistic vision of what it would be like to be a park ranger.
What would you like most about being a park ranger?
Introducing…My New Agent and Literary Agency
I can’t tell you how happy I am to share this news. I’ve had conversations with Jennifer and she is warm, insightful, professional and kind. So excited to continue my writing journey and to grow my career with the guidance and support of Jennifer and the Andrea Brown Literary Agency.
Celebrating Earth Day 2023 at LBJ Presidential Library
This was an Earth Day like no other! What fun sharing IF I WERE A PARK RANGER at the LBJ Presidential Library’s Saturday event in Austin. And I met some Austin City Park Rangers, too! So grateful for the invite.
TLA 2023: Sharing Books About Amazing Dogs, Surprising STEM
What a treat to be a part of the 2023 Texas Library Association Conference in Austin in April.
First stop, I participated in the “What’s New with Texas MG, YA and Chapter Book Authors” panel. Had the chance to talk about some of the amazing dogs I met while researching the A DOG’S DAY series. Had more fun at two book signings – at the SCBWI Texas booth and the Albert Whitman & Company booth (librarians picked up some free doggy trading cards). Then wrapped up with the “Howdy Partner, Texas Author and Illustrator Meet and Greet.”
So fun to meet with fellow authors, fellow SCBWI members and the friendly and welcoming Albert Whitman team.
And several gracious librarians posed with me!
Here are some more photos from that day:
LBJ Presidential Library Homeschool Day
Had such a great time as guest author at this lively event at the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin! Activities, crafts and a story time with yours truly, reading IF I WERE A PARK RANGER. Met several awesome Austin Park Rangers who introduced kids to some fun facts and projects.
Next up: I’m returning to the LBJ Presidential Library on Saturday, April 22 for Earth Day with more story times and crafts/activities for families. Hope to see you there!
Note: President Johnson played an important role in the National Park System. You can find out more at: https://www.nps.gov/lyjo/planyourvisit/upload/environmentcs2.pdf
New SCIENCE MAKES IT WORK Picture Book Releasing Soon: THE SOUND OF A GUITAR
So happy to announce releasing next month, the latest in the SCIENCE MAKES IT WORK series: THE SOUND OF A GUITAR!
Kind words from Kirkus for this new STEM picture book about an aspiring guitar hero’s curiosity about sound and music – and her bond with the cousin who inspires her:
“Sweet notes aplenty in an episode featuring a young DIYer with both music and science in her life” – Kirkus Reviews
Release Date: May 11, 2023
See You at TLA 2023!
The Texas Library Association’s annual conference is in Austin this year, and I’ll be there! Stop by any of these TLA events…
A VOTE IS A POWERFUL THING Selected for the Houston Bar Association’s Constitution Day Reading Event
Although a late post, I had to share this honor: The Houston Bar Association selected A VOTE IS A POWERFUL THING for their 2022 Constitution Day Reading Event 2022 observations. Members of the Houston Bar Association visited 100 area schools to read the book and then donated it to the school library. Loved seeing their social media posts of groups of kids gathered to hear the book all across Harris County, Texas. See more photos at:https://www.hba.org/?pg=Constitution-Day-Readings
New A DOG’S DAY Author Program Debuts at Troy Elementary
Couldn’t believe this amazing welcome at Troy Elementary in Troy, TX last week – a balloon arch, hand-lettered sign, yummy treats & a hallway of A DOG’s DAY art. This marked my first, in-person Author Visit since the pandemic, and it was so great to be meeting readers again. Many thanks to librarian Adria Moore.