Perhaps the sheer number of talent shows, cooking shows, sports channels, and perhaps maybe even reality shows, demonstrates a deep-seated human desire to be special, to have a talent or a knack at something; to stand out. 

When we think about the talents or skills that win...

Born and raised in the Midwest, Amber Hendricks grew up reading everything she could get her hands on- including the morning cereal boxes. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Merchandising, with an emphasis on Visual Merchandising, from Northwest Missouri State University.

Amber has worn man...

It is both an important acknowledgement and a horror that the International Olympic Committee created a Refugee Olympic Team in 2015 for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

A special opportunity to acknowledge the athletes and their commitment to training and striving to be their best, despite...

Last spring, I had the opportunity and pleasure to meet Julie Abery in person and hang out with her in Bologna, Italy. She is such a warm, welcoming, and talented person.

Julie is a former early years' teacher in the beautiful country of Switzerland, where she lives with her partner and th...

Science can be so fun. Especially when presented in an engaging manner. The science classes I remember best as a kid involved excited teachers, and interestingly - extra credit art. The ones presented in monotones, with dull class books (looking at you chemistry), held little interest and...

 Writing is mining.

It’s digging deep inside

for special memories, emotions, and meaning.

It’s burrowing into history for inspiring characters and moments

that change the course of events.

~ Beth Anderson

I am excited to bring you an extra special interview and look at a great nonfiction book t...

My books actively encourage children to question

HOW they know what they know.

~ Ellie Peterson

Ellie Peterson is a picture book author, illustrator, and science educator living in the Seattle area. In fact, she taught my daughter sixth grade science. I know, small world, right? Ellie's book...

Boy nonfiction had changed over this past generation. I would have been in heaven, and you probably couldn't have pried me from the library, if books like Growing Up Gorilla: How a Zoo Baby Brought Her Family Together by Clare Hodgson Meeker, Giant Squid by Candace Fleming, illustrated by...

Today I have the pleasure to introduce you to three authors from the STEAM Team 2020. Two have books releasing in February. And one is giving us a sneak peek at a March release. I do hope you enjoy this look at some great books and fascinating creatives.

"STEAM Team 2020 is...

I have always been a storyteller. 

Even before I could write my name, I could tell a good tale.

~ Candace Fleming

Candace Fleming awarded herself the Newbery Medal in fifth grade after scraping the gold sticker off the class copy of The Witch of Blackbird Pond and pasting it onto her first...