My Books
Available Now
THE QUICKEST KID IN CLARKSVILLE
The story of a little girl in 1960s Clarksville, Tennessee, who dreams of being the fastest girl in the world – just like her hero, sprinter Wilma Rudolph, who made history as the first woman from the United States to win three gold medals at one Olympics. Illustrated by Frank Morrison. Available from Chronicle Books.
Download these create-your-own trading cards. (Go to this page and look under the "More Details" heading.)
SOPHIE’S SQUASH GO TO SCHOOL
A sequel to SOPHIE’S SQUASH. Sophie starts school with her two squash friends and learns that friends really do come in all shapes and sizes. Illustrated by Anne Wilsdorf. Published by Schwartz & Wade.
SHARING THE BREAD
A lyrical celebration of food and family and togetherness as seen during one old-fashioned, down-home Thanksgiving dinner. Jill McElmurry illustrates. Published by Schwartz & Wade August 2015.
Download these classroom activities.
WHEREVER YOU GO
Join an adventurous rabbit and his animal friends as they journey over steep mountain peaks, through bustling cityscapes, and down long, winding roads to discover the magical worlds that await them just outside their doors. This book celebrates the possibilities that lie beyond the next bend in the road – the same road that will always lead you home again. Illustrated by Eliza Wheeler. A great graduation gift. Published by Little, Brown in April 2015.
Watch the WHEREVER YOU GO book trailer.
SOPHIE’S SQUASH
A story that celebrates the special love between a child and her favorite toy – only in this case that toy is a butternut squash. On a trip to the farmers' market with her parents, Sophie chooses a squash, but instead of letting her mom cook it, she names it Bernice. From then on, Sophie brings Bernice everywhere, despite her parents' gentle warnings that Bernice will begin to rot. As winter nears, Sophie does start to notice changes. What's a girl to do when the squash she loves is in trouble? Anne Wilsdorf illustrates. Published by Schwartz & Wade in 2013
See these related classroom activities.
Visit the Sophie's Squash Facebook page.
Future Books
LORETTA'S GIFT
Loretta and her parents are so excited. Aunt Esme and Uncle Jax are having a baby! When Gabe arrives, Loretta thinks he's the best baby on the block. Everyone showers him with gifts, but Loretta doesn't know what to give. Can she find the perfect gift for her baby cousin? Illustrated by Alea Marley. Coming from Little Bee in 2018.
BE KIND
A classroom mishap leads to a conversation about what it means to be kind and how small actions can lead to big results. The book will be illustrated by Jen Hill and published by Roaring Brook Press in 2018.
WHEN YOU ARE BRAVE
What does it mean to be brave? When should you try? This book looks at some of the many times it pays to be brave. Illustrated by Eliza Wheeler. Coming from Little, Brown in 2019.
REMARKABLY YOU
This is a book about celebrating all the special talents and gifts that make you wonderfully different than anyone else. It will be illustrated by Patrice Barton. Coming from HarperCollins in 2019.
MY BROTHER, THE DUCK
Meet Belmore Jennings. There is a mystery afoot in young Belmore's life. That "baby" his parents brought home from the hospital? Very suspicious. In fact, Belmore is pretty sure it's not a baby at all ... but a duck. Illustrated by Daniel Wiseman. Coming from Chronicle Books in 2019.