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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 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.