Author Spotlight: Dav Pilkey

Back when I was student teaching there was a controversial book that all the kids wanted to read.  Teachers struggled with letting kids read what they wanted (they were reading after all) or censoring the "inappropriate" material.  The title in question?  Captain Underpants.

The author, Dav Pilkey, has become renowned and beloved for his whimsical works.  Many of his books are bestsellers and favorites among young readers.  Filled with alternating prose and comics readers feel like they get to take breaks on the picture pages.  Signature elements like Flip-O-Rama make reading interactive and fun.

As a child Pilkey struggled in school, so his characters and writing appeal to students who face similar challenges (although not necessarily a talking turbo toilet 2000).

For more information and a complete list of Dav Pilkey's books visit his website at pilkey.com

Author Spotlight: Justin and Gary Van Riper

Known for their series "The Adirondack Kids,"  this father-son team writes and illustrates children's chapter books that take place in the beautiful and formidable Adirondack Mountains.  Some of you know how much I love the Adirondacks and so of course I would be including this in my blog!

My kids and I have been incredibly fortunate to live so close to the mountains, but the Van Riper's reside in the heart of the Adirondacks in a small town of Inlet, NY.  I had the opportunity to meet Justin Van Riper one year at the local bookstore.  He is a down to earth woodsman who loves where he lives and wants to share it in his writing.

With this series my kids have the chance to read a book that takes place in a familiar setting.  They can read the book and say, "Hey! I've been there!"

Look for local lore you can share with your kids!

Author Spotlight: Kate DiCamillo

Winner of two Newbery Awards (Flora and Ulysses, 2013 and The Tale of Despereaux 2003), two Newbery Honor Awards (Because of Winn Dixie 2000 and Raymie Nightingale 2016), and the National Book Award (The Tiger Rising 2001), Kate DiCamillo seems unstoppable in her storytelling prowess.

She has always thought of herself as a writer and encourages others to read and write passionately.

The titles above are all novels of hers but she has several books and series available for a younger audience.




Here is a synopsis of her latest novel:

When Louisiana Elefante’s granny wakes her up in the middle of the night to tell her that the day of reckoning has arrived and they have to leave home immediately, Louisiana isn’t overly worried. After all, Granny has many middle-of-the-night ideas. But this time, things are different. This time, Granny intends for them never to return. Separated from her best friends, Raymie and Beverly, Louisiana struggles to oppose the winds of fate (and Granny) and find a way home. But as Louisiana’s life becomes entwined with the lives of the people of a small Georgia town—including a surly motel owner, a walrus-like minister, and a mysterious boy with a crow on his shoulder—she starts to worry that she is destined only for good-byes. (Which could be due to the curse on Louisiana's and Granny’s heads. But that is a story for another time.)

Author Spotlight: Tom Angleberger & Cece Bell

This dynamic duo of children's literature has brought us more laughs at storytime than I can say.  Tom Angleberger is the author of the Origami Yoda series- a  favorite even among reluctant readers.  Cece Bell's El Deafo is a superb autobio-graphic-novel.  Together they have written the Inspector Flytrap series and, my personal favorite, Crankee Doodle.

Plain and simple:  the stuff these two write is hilarious!  Both my kids love these authors.  Their ability to touch on issues like disability, bullying, friendship, and emotions are balanced by humor that appeals to kids of all ages.

Oh, and did I mention they're married?