What books have you written?
So far I have more than 30 books out. I've worked with nine different publishers for books about history, science, people, and places.
Do you only write nonfiction?
I used to say yes! I love nonfiction! However, I have written one book that was fictional. From the covers above can you tell which one?
What was your longest and shortest book?
The Laura Ingalls Wilder Companion: A Chapter-by-Chapter Guide was about 50,000 words long.
Here you can see what the text looks like in the book.
Will you write another book?
Yes! I have more books on the way. Want the updated list? Check this out. I'm not done writing yet. I'm always researching, writing, or revising.
However, I have many more stories and manuscripts in notebooks and on my computer that may not be published. I still receive rejections from publishers.
Were you always good at writing?
Nope! In school I was just average. My writing never stood out. No one ever suggested I write a book-not even me! I never enjoyed fiction writing as a kid; however, I did enjoy writing notes and letters to friends and family members. (I even had a pen pal in Germany!) In school I was a fairly good student, but I had to work harder than many of my classmates for (mostly) good grades.
It wasn't until I was an adult that I realized I enjoyed writing. After a few years of blogging, I took several writing classes to improve my skills. I also read a lot of books about writing and the publishing industry. (Of course I was reading a lot of nonfiction children's books, too.) I met my first editor at a writing conference!
How long have you been writing?
It wasn't until I was an adult that I realized I enjoyed writing. After a few years of blogging, I took several writing classes to improve my skills. I also read a lot of books about writing and the publishing industry. (Of course I was reading a lot of nonfiction children's books, too.) I met my first editor at a writing conference!
How long have you been writing?
I began blogging for fun in 2009. In 2012 I began taking writing courses and writing magazine articles.
I had my first book idea in 2014! It took SIX years for that idea to become a book. Thankfully, I wrote other books, too. My first book idea came out in 2016.
Are you rich?
Nope! Most authors are not rich (though the ones who make a lot of money seem to be in the news). For perspective, I typically drive a small 2015 SUV. My other vehicle is a 2010 minivan. If I was still at teacher, I'd be making WAYYYYYYY more money than I make now.
How do I sign up for your newsletter?
Thanks for your interest in my monthly newsletter celebrating curiosity! You can sign up here! For those interested, you can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Kids, please use a grown-up's email or social media account with permission. I cannot send my newsletter to school email accounts.
Thanks for your interest in my monthly newsletter celebrating curiosity! You can sign up here! For those interested, you can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Kids, please use a grown-up's email or social media account with permission. I cannot send my newsletter to school email accounts.
Where do you live?
I'm a children's author living in Chester County, Pennsylvania. There are several dairy farms near my home. I live just a few miles from the Maryland and Delaware state lines.
How do you find the photos for your books?
Great question! Usually the publisher hires someone to find great photographs for my books but not always. This is such a popular question I created an interactive slideshow to answer how I get and legally use images in my books.
What's the writing process like?
Actually, my writing process is a lot like the writing process your teachers have you use! First I think, plan, and research. Then I draft and revise. And revise and revise and revise! The biggest difference is that I have to revise/proofread TONS of times!
Yes, but I haven't always liked them. I have learned so much about insects in the past couple of years. I now find them fascinating! There are so many of them, and they have such cool features (armor, camouflage, lights...) and some are egg-laying machines! There is one insect I don't want to come near: the louse!
I don't particularly like insects or spiders in my home, so when I find them I try to just pick them up (sometimes with a tissue for safety) and toss them out the door. If I'm outdoors, I remind myself I'm in their territory-even if ants are invading my picnic.
Did you really hold an owl? And a SPIDER?
I sure did! It was all part of my research! You can read about how I met Quincy and Alexandria who are both owls here!
Can you come to my school?
I would love to visit! Visiting schools and libraries thrill me! I also visit virtually since not all schools are nearby. Tell your teachers, PTO, or librarian about me and share this website with them.
I would love to visit! Visiting schools and libraries thrill me! I also visit virtually since not all schools are nearby. Tell your teachers, PTO, or librarian about me and share this website with them.
What's the hardest part about getting a book published?
You have to be patient. Not only do you have to be a good writer, but you also need to understand the publishing industry. It takes time. Sometimes good writing isn't enough to make a publisher want to make a book for kids.
As a writer, you also need to be able to accept criticism and feedback about your manuscript. It truly makes it better. (Though it's your story, the professional editors really know what they're doing!) You can't take criticism personally. Oh, along with this, you also need to be able to accept rejection. Your first (or fifth) manuscript may never be published, but don't stop writing and learning if you have a story in you.
Do you really need to revise your writing?
Definitely. I would never be a published author if people only saw my first or second drafts.
In this post, I talked about how revisions are similar to home renovations. Because yes, good writers revise.
What's your favorite writing tool?
Sticky notes! I use multiple sticky notes daily. I also use them for quick notes and reminders. I use them to highlight cool facts in books (especially when borrowed from the library and in my own, too). When I'm brainstorming a topic to write about, I add a single topic to a sticky note. Then, I group similar topics together. I move the groups around to determine the rough outline for my book (or article). Even nonfiction authors need to have the right structure for their book.
My second favorite tool is the Children's Writer's Word Book. It's great for children's writers.
My second favorite tool is the Children's Writer's Word Book. It's great for children's writers.
Can you send me a book?
No, but you can ask your local library to carry the books you want to read or buy one. My books are available wherever books are sold. (Your bookstore may not know my books. But you can tell them the title you want and my name and they should be able to get it. They're also available online.)
What are your favorite books for kids?
Great question! I have a lot of books I enjoy. I read both fiction and nonfiction.
For young children, I can't get enough of Mo Willems's Piggie and Gerald books. I also have a sweet spot in my for Salina Yoon's books, like Found and her Penguin series.
Some of my fiction favorites that older children will also enjoy are
Hope in the Valley
The Labors of Hercules Beal
The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs
The Mysterious Benedict Society (series)
The Penderwicks (series)
Narnia (series)
and anything by Richard Peck, Debbi Michiko Florence, Gary D. Schmidt, and Mo Willems for some fun.
I also read lots (and lots) of nonfiction including by authors like
Candace Fleming
Kirsten W. Larson
Steve Sheinkin
Sarah Albee
Jennifer Swanson
Heather Montgomery
Steve Jenkins
Melissa Stewart
Debra Kempf Shumaker
Tina M. Cho
Jason Chin
Two recent absolute favorite books are The Mona Lisa Vanishes and Mountain of Fire.
Though some may think they're old-fashioned and a wee bit girly, I love the Betsy-Tacy series (and other books by Maud Hart Lovelace), Anne of Green Gables (and other books by L. M. Montgomery), and books by Louisa May Alcott (not just Little Women). I appreciate the history we can read about in Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House books. In fact, I started a blog called Wilder Companion and provide workshops and presentations about pioneer living and Laura Ingalls Wilder. And I wrote The Laura Ingalls Wilder Companion: A Chapter-by-Chapter Guide, too.
Yes! Our family includes three children, my husband, and me, plus two cats. One is named Soka and the other is Kiwi. They were both fostered before we adopted them.
Here Kiwi supervises me while I try to work.
Soka can be hard to photograph since she's all black. But here she is peeking over the arm of the chair.
Even though I have had pet cats most of my life I still had to research for Meow! The Truth About Cats!
If you have more questions, maybe you'll find answers as you explore the rest of this website! Here are two places to start! Click the links to learn the answers to these questions that have long answers.
This blog article was first written in 2017 and updated most recently in 2026.
