Thank you for visiting my website.

Across the globe, we're facing a tough time right now. Please remember that hope and love always shine through. The children's book community has come together to share readalouds, fun printables and lessons. Here are some links - Discussion & Activity Guides & Printables on my site, Readalouds and Lesson Plans from The Brown Bookshelf, Library of resources compiled by award-winning author Kate Messner, SCBWI's Digital Directory for Remote Learning Resources. Wishing your family peace, good health & safety.

What's new in my world?

I am thrilled and honored to be the 2021 Piedmont Laureate for the North Carolina Triangle region. Sponsored by the United Arts Council of Raleigh & Wake County, Raleigh Arts Commission, Durham Arts Council and Orange Arts Commission, it's a wonderful opportunity to build a bridge between children's literature and adults and kids in the community. Learn more about my position and visit my blog here.

Tiara's Hat Parade, illustrated by Nicole Tadgell, published by Albert Whitman, was the featured book for Read Across America Day. Yay! Thanks so much for celebrating with us. We loved the online hat parades and heartwarming stories of what the book meant to readers. Find out more about the book, buy a copy and get fun printable activities here.

Ty's Travels: Zip, Zoom received a 2021 Geisel Honor Award. The award is 'given annually to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished American book for beginning readers published in English in the United States during the preceding year." Such a blessing. Delighted to share this honor with illustrator Nina Mata. It means a lot that our book will now be in more children's hands. Grateful to the Geisel Award committee, I Can Read

team and all of you.

Sing a Song: How Lift Every Voice Inspired Generations, illustrated by acclaimed artist Keith Mallett, imagines five generations in one family singing the Black National Anthem and drawing strength and hope from it. Inspired by the history of Lift Every Voice & Sing, Keith brought each scene to life in moving and memorable ways. Here's a video of people sharing what the song means to them. Here are links to a Sing a Song educator guide and activity guide. Please join in celebrating this important history.

Wishing you laughter, peace and lots of love. Thanks so much for supporting my work and celebrating children's literature.

Happy Reading,

Kelly

P.S. Want to know how to pronounce my full name and what it means to me? Listen to this clip made by TeachingBooks.net.