Author Spotlight Series · biography · picture book

Embracing “First Words”: Writing FLYING HIGH: The Story of Gymnastics Champion Simone Biles

Michelle Meadows provides a look at her writing process for her new picture book biography about Simone Biles, gymnastics champion and Olympic superstar.

biography · giveaway · interview · picture book

Paint a Portrait with Words

Jen Bryant is a biographer whose recently released picture book, Above the Rim, is a worthy mentor text. Jen stops by TWT to chat with Stacey about some of the most important things kids can keep in mind when they're researching and writing stories about famous people or everyday heroes. Watch the interview, look through some excerpts from her newest picture book biography, and then leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of Above the Rim: How Elgin Baylor Changed Basketball.

Author Spotlight Series · biography · picture book

The Threads of Writing a Picture Book Biography

Kelly Starling Lyons shares about her experience of writing Dream Builder, a picture book biography about Philip G. Freelon, an architect who created he National Museum of African American History & Culture.

Author Spotlight Series · biography · picture book

The Essence of Ada: The Story Behind a Picture Book Biography of Ada Lovelace

Did you know that Ada Lovelace was able to imagine how a machine could not only calculate any number you gave it, but also create music and visual images--100 years before computers were invented? Read the story behind the story with author Tanya Lee Stone who steps into our Author Spotlight today.

Author Spotlight Series · biography

Finding the Hook in Writing Biographies

A good biography presents an interpretation of the facts. Doreen Rappaport calls that “the hook.” Join her today as we kick off our 4th Annual Author Spotlight Series with Doreen's guest blog post.

aimee buckner · authors · biography · colleen cruz · Day by Day · early childhood · katie wood ray · Lester L. Laminack · LIWP · lucy calkins · primary grades · reflections · shared writing · thankful · writing workshop

In Thanks: Books That Built a Writing Teacher

What are the books that have shaped you as a teacher of writing? Reflecting today, in thanks, for the authors and books that have influenced my life as a teacher.

biography · informational writing · mentor texts · non-narrative writing · nonfiction · nonfiction writing · picture book

New Mentor Texts for Information Writing

The books featured in this post, all of which were published in 2015, represent a variety of information writing. All of these are texts that can pull double- and even triple-duty in your classroom, thereby allowing you to use a text during read-aloud time so you can revisit it during a writing workshop minlesson and/or in a content area.

biography · mentor texts · nonfiction · picture book · poetry · Read Aloud · social justice · solar system

Black History Month & Beyond – My #NF10for10 + 10 Book Giveaways

Today is the annual Nonfiction Picture Book 10 for 10, hosted by Cathy Mere from Reflect and Refine, Mandy Robek of Enjoy and Embrace Learning, and Julie Balen of Write at the Edge. This is my third year participating in this event, which provides me with a chance to expand my nonfiction TBR list.  Last… Continue reading Black History Month & Beyond – My #NF10for10 + 10 Book Giveaways

biography · giveaway · interview · mentor texts

Taking Biography to the Next Level: The Cosmobiography of Sun Ra + An Interview + A Giveaway

If you aren't familiar with this delightful biography of Sun Ra by Chris Raschka, you should be. Learn about the ways that this book is a perfect mentor text, and hear about the writing process from the author.