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More Info



    * Science is boring. Reading is boring. If this is what you think, you have not
​      met the right teacher, the right librarian, the right book, or the right frog . . .  
      yet.​​

​    * Body waste is gross.
 Maybe for humans, but for animals it can be a critical
      part of the food chain, a way to communicate, a building tool, and a great
      deal more. 

     * Sharks are vicious predators.  Really?  Is any predator vicious?  When a
        shark gives potential prey a nudge, isn’t that a lot like people gently
        squeezing fruit at the grocery store?  When we swim in their habitat, we’re
        in their grocery store.!

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Welcome!

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BOOKS

Nature nonfiction 
for children

 


AWARDS

National science,
reading, and Children's Choice

 


EDUCATION



​​SCHOOL VISITS & WORKSHOPS

For children, teachers,
​librarians, and parents



FAQ
The questions kids
and adults often ask


REVIEWS


Books have always been an important and wonderful part of my life, and the ability to read opened doors that many people take for granted.  ​I live in the mountains of western North Carolina.

 

My professional background includes many years
in print publishing as an author, editor, and designer for Lark Books, Fiberarts magazine, several small newspapers, and an advertising agency. Fun!

 

For the past fourteen years, I have taught biology courses at Haywood Community College. It is a  joy to work with students as they develop critical thinking skills and an appreciation of the natural world. I'm wild about Moon Trees, too!

​​

Inspirations! 

Watching Kids with Books 
Engrossed in books, choosing books, sharing books 

Exploring the World
Book ideas come from the puzzles and patterns we
see in every part of the natural world. Book ideas
are everywhere.


Generalizations

Life is so much more complex (and interesting!)
when you look beyond sound-bite generalizations.
​A few inspirational generalizations follow.

   
 
     * Nonfiction is just a bunch of facts.  Sometimes,
       but the best nonfiction makes connections,
       provides a context for new information, drives
       you to explore more, and makes your world a
​       bigger place.

* Frogs lay their eggs in water; the eggs hatch into tadpoles and then grow
  into adults.
  
Many frogs follow this life cycle, but some lay their eggs on the  
  undersides of plant branches near ponds and streams. Others lay their eggs in
  trees and later move the tadpoles down to the water. Some male frogs keep
  their eggs safe in their throat sac. Other frogs never go through a tadpole  
  stage; instead, the embryos develop straight into froglets. Another newly
  discovered frog species skips the egg-laying stage, giving live birth to
​  tadpoles, instead.

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