My Favorite Research Story by Heather L. Montgomery
Today we continue the series in which award-winning nonfiction authors discuss the joys and challenges of the research process with an essay by Heather L. Montgomery. Thank you, Heather. I’m a science nerd. I write about awesome animals. Catching crayfish, dissecting deer, or pulling a rare rat from a scientist’s trap—that’s my kind of research! Historical […]
Why I Write Expository Nonfiction by Meeg Pincus
Today we continue the series in which award-winning nonfiction authors discuss the joys and challenges of writing narrative nonfiction and expository nonfiction with an essay by Meeg Pincus. Thank you, Meeg. In writing my nonfiction picture books—both narrative and expository—I tap into two parts of myself: the trained academic/journalist who researches deeply, and the sensitive/creative soul who writes […]
My Favorite Research Story by Mary Kay Carson
Today we continue the series in which award-winning nonfiction authors discuss the joys and challenges of the research process with an essay by Mary Kay Carson. Thank you, Mary Kay. When kids ask how I research my books, I usually tell amusing anecdotes from field trips with scientists: So many bats live in the cave that […]
Why I Write Narrative Nonfiction by Anika Aldamuy Denise
Today we continue the series in which award-winning nonfiction authors discuss the joys and challenges of writing narrative nonfiction and expository nonfiction with an essay by Anika Aldamuy Denise. Thank you, Anika. Author-illustrator Kelly Light once said, “Picture books are like an IMAX movie to a little kid. Think about it. Picture books fill their field of vision. […]
My Favorite Research Story by Don Tate
Today we continue the series in which award-winning nonfiction authors discuss the joys and challenges of the research process with an essay by Don Tate. Thank you, Don. Growing up, I was a skinny kid. When my dad noticed my anxiety about it, he gave me a copy of The Bodybuilder’s Nutrition Guide by bodybuilder Dr. […]
Why I Write Expository Nonfiction by Deanna F. Cook
Today we continue the series in which award-winning nonfiction authors discuss the joys and challenges of writing narrative nonfiction and expository nonfiction with an essay by Deanna F. Cook. Thank you, Deanna. When I was a child, my favorite books were nonfiction, and I especially liked cookbooks and craft books and nature sticker books. I was […]
My Favorite Research Story by Pamela S. Turner
Today we continue the series in which award-winning nonfiction authors discuss the joys and challenges of the research process with an essay by Pamela S. Turner. Thank you, Pamela. No matter what subject I’m writing about, I always feel an urge to flee the keyboard and do something related to my project, whether it’s travelling around […]
Why I Write Narrative Nonfiction by Lori Alexander
Today we continue the series in which award-winning nonfiction authors discuss the joys and challenges of writing narrative nonfiction and expository nonfiction with an essay by Lori Alexander. Thank you, Lori. Narrative nonfiction can bring young readers the best of two worlds: an engaging, fast-paced story that is 100% verifiable and true. These vibrant stories can […]
My Favorite Research Story by Jennifer Ward
Today we continue the series in which award-winning nonfiction authors discuss the joys and challenges of the research process with an essay by Jennifer Ward. Thank you, Jen. My most recent nonfiction picture book, Just You and Me: Remarkable Relationships in the Wild, illustrated by Alexander Vidal (Simon &Schuster/Beach Lane Books), hit bookshelves in September 2021. […]
Why I Write Expository Nonfiction by Anita Sanchez
Today we continue the series in which award-winning nonfiction authors discuss the joys and challenges of writing narrative nonfiction and expository nonfiction with an essay by Anita Sanchez. Thank you, Anita. A food chain is simple: little fish are eaten by big fish, which are eaten by bigger fish, and so forth. An ecosystem is far […]