Works In Progress
ALONG FOR THE RIDE --> READY TO RIDE
A child with a mobility impairment can't access all the places she wants to go, even with her wheelchair. When an idea sparks, then ignites, family and friends join her in designing and building an off-road device so she can come ALONG FOR THE RIDE. #PB #DIS #OWN #STEM #SEL
This 324-word book will join other uplifting PBs that highlight and honor the challenges of living with a disability, like OUTSIDE AMELIA’S WINDOW by Nastro and Budisan (2023). ALONG FOR THE RIDE includes SEL and STEM themes, a strong family bond, a model of determination and an Author’s Note about my personal journey.
THIS IS HOW I HIKE
Jules loves to hike but, with a mobility impairment, she does it a little differently than others. As her class prepares for a hiking field trip, she must convince her friends she will be able to join them, and confirm for herself that the trail will be fully accessible. When she notices an ominous sign at the trailhead, will she have to give up on her hopes to be included?
MY MAMA RIDES
Rumble-hum, Maddie’s mama rides a motorized mobility scooter everywhere they go…to the bus stop, along the riverwalk and even at the carnival. But, when a new kid asks too many questions, Maddie’s tummy flip-flops. Can she help him understand that her mama is extra special because she rides–her scooter and the Scrambler? A celebration of family, diversity and acceptance.
Shane Burcaw’s Not So Different meets Amy Webb’s When Charley Met Emma with a side of James Catchpole’s What Happened to You?
WELCOME TO ARCHES!
The beauty and science of Utah’s red-rock wonderland piques a young visitor’s interest. But an unexpected, mid-night BOOM! rumble, rumble ignites a passion for geology that will last her lifetime.
(Photo by friends, Tink & Laura Shepardson)
A RACE WITH THE RAIN
A young girl with a mobility impairment and her visiting Auntie embark on a bike ride adventure through the high desert of the Southwest. Startled by a darting lizard, stranded by a sandy arroyo and stymied by hills, long and steep and hard in the heat, they succeed–-only to find themselves in A RACE WITH THE RAIN when an afternoon’s monsoon rolls in.
PSST, HEY YOU!
Picture book manuscript
Elevator pitch:
High energy and distractible, Oliver is working hard to stay focused and on track during library time. But, when he hears “Psst, hey you!” coming from the bookshelf, he can’t resist finding out more. He discovers Creative Spark who has come on behalf of an author, to get to know Oliver and figure out which literary genre would best tell the boy’s story. Together, the two consider possible genre options and imagine how Oliver’s story might look in each one.
Oliver ultimately suggests that a wordless picture book would be best—both to tell his story and to keep both of them out of trouble.
TWO TOGETHER: A BASEBALL DAY
A Lyrical, Atmospheric, Picture Book Manuscript
⚾️The "PITCH" ⚾️
Holding tight, staying close, TWO TOGETHER move with the crowd, past statues of legends, through twisting turnstiles, to emerge into stadium sun. The two, one young and one older, join hometown fans to chant and cheer, sing and celebrate as teammates dart and dash around the diamond dot-to-dot below. A lyrical, atmospheric story of shared first-experiences at the ballpark.
SNOW!
Facing a wintery playday filled with challenges (too slick, too tippy, too much!) and struggles (now chilled and chapped, now shaky and shivery, too long!), excited brothers celebrate the special moments they share playing together in the SNOW!.
#lyrical Goldilocks meets A SNOWY DAY
Picture book manuscript, sparse text
WIZARDS OF THE WEIMENUCHE
Middle Grade Fiction
LOGLINE:
A spunky but reserved girl finds her voice, confronts a shape-shifting marmot and changes the future for her family while adventuring with her quirky brother in the mountains of Southern Colorado.
FRANKENSTEIN'S MONSTER BIKES IN THE RAIN: THE IMPACT OF THE ERUPTION OF MOUNT TAMBORA
Middle Grade Informational Fiction
TIES TO EDUCATIONAL CONTENT:
- Cause and effect
- Primary sources
- Vocabulary
CURRENTLY...
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