Children’s Picture Books

The Fledgling Returned… Or Perhaps I Did-(Chapter Three of Nonfiction) This afternoon, I looked out into my front yard and noticed  something familiar. Near the same section of fence where I had  found a fledgling dove several weeks ago sat another young dove. It was tucked low against the ground, quiet and still, just as […]

The Fledgling Dove in My Yard A few weeks ago, a small drama unfolded in my front yard, after my husband and I returned from a walk. (Parent dove sitting over the baby (chick) and baby dove sitting near fence, then on the rocks I transported it to, below.) Just a young dove and its

Have you ever visited a wildlife center? Many people think that’s the best place to see animals. But what if you live far from one? The truth is, wildlife is all around you. Try this first. Step outside and stand still for one minute. Don’t talk. Don’t move much. Just look. At first, it might

Milkweed is the only plant Monarch Butterflies lay their eggs on—and the only food monarch caterpillars eat.Without milkweed, monarchs can’t survive. That’s why planting and protecting milkweed is one of the most important ways we can help these amazing creatures of nature.  In my picture book manuscript, Perla talks about this to one of her classmates in Perla And Her Flying Backpack-An Idea Takes Flight. (Photo by Terry Murphy on Pixabay)

For my middle grade novel manuscript, follow Sondra, and her friends, Jordan and Peyton all the way down the creek. But what are they doing there? They want to help Sondra with her canoeing skills. In about three weeks, she has canoeing evals in her PE class, and she wants to do a great job,

Let me introduce you to part of the setting for one of my upcoming chapter books. Let’s visit and work with Evan as he learns about his chosen, project-based learning, life on a working farm! He wants to learn about farm life right away, but he will have to wait for a future book. Hang

The creek at the end of my block where I used to live in Indiana, has inspired material for my middle grade novel, picture books, and personal essays. Though it may be far away in distance, it will always be nearby in my heart and spirit. This nature-based photo and creek, is filled with wild

I was so pleased and excited to see the Killdeer bird couple return for the second year in a row. I saw them previous to this on February 14, Valentine’s Day! It was almost as if they were scouting out their future home, and they stopped by to say hello. The Killdeer couple often switch

While I was recently shopping at the grocery store with my husband, I noticed a grackle strutting down the aisles. It looked as if it were shopping for food! Even thought it looked sweet, on a more serious note, I pondered what would happen to the bird’s well-being if it were not able to leave