News & Events
Happy to be returning to Mankato (my home for more than 15 years) for this fun event!
It's an Everybody Club party! Linda and I will be reading EC and doing crafts and activities with kids. Rumor has it there will be snacks as well. And thanks to the generosity of Lotus Lake Gifts, every family will receive a copy of EC! Lotus Lake Gifts is a special shop that is all about inclusion--it hires people with disabilitiesand also sells their handmade crafts.
September 17, 2022
first annual MOVE FOR INCLUSION
A 1.1 mile walk, run, or roll around Lake Cornelia in Edina
to raise funds for Special Olympics Minnesota
10:00 a.m.
Rosland Park
4300 W 66th Street
Edina, MN
Linda and I are excited to take part in the first annual Move for Inclusion!
We'll be reading THE EVERYBODY CLUB, making badges, and selling books.
"The Revolution is Inclusion!"
Register here: https://fundraise.somn.org/campaign/move-for-inclusion/c410773
August 20, 2022
June 2022
Shepherd.com website for book lovers
If you're a book lover, you'll want to check out Shepherd.com. It's a new website with themed book recommendations by authors—sort of an online version of being led around a bookstore by someone who knows what you're looking for. And I'm one of the authors! My featured book is The Everybody Club and my theme is "The Best Children's Books That Create a Sense of Belonging." There are TONS of "Best Books" lists, so drop by the site and browse away!
January 18, 2022
The Everybody Club on GMA3
Did someone say NATIONAL TELEVISION?!!!
January 18, 2022
GMA3
12:00 to 1:00 Central Time
ABC
Linda Hayen and I will be sharing The Everybody Club on GMA3! (That's an afternoon spinoff of ABC's Good Morning America.) Nope, we won't be whisked off to New York City—instead we did Zoom interviews shortly after Christmas and uploaded a LOT of pictures. We will be sharing a link to the piece as soon as it's available, so if you are interested but can't watch it live, check back!
Todd as he appears in the book
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Linda right after her Zoom interview. She happened to be in New York City visiting her son Todd--one of the original members of the Everybody Club! Todd was Linda's tech guy. :)
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THE EVERYBODY CLUB is in the Star Tribune!
Sunday, November 28, 2021 (Variety section)
Read it online here!
Sunday, November 28, 2021 (Variety section)
Read it online here!
November 2021
THE EVERYBODY CLUB is here!
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I'm happy to announce the publication of a new book, one that is truly a project of the heart. The Everybody Club is a collaboration with my friend Linda Hayen. It honors her late daughter, Carissa, with its message of inclusion, cooperation—and joy. The Everybody Club by Nancy Loewen and Linda Hayen illustrated by Yana Zybina To learn more, please visit The Everybody Club Home Page. 
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2019-2020 School Visits & Literacy Events
Young Writers and Artists Conference, Mankato, Minnesota. March 10-11, 2020. I led a workshop called "I Can Almost See It: Dazzling Descriptions." (I will always remember this conference as my last outing before the pandemic hit. I'm writing this on April 22, and I haven't filled in gas once since that trip!)
Salem Lutheran Elementary Literacy Night, Stillwater, Minnesota. March 5, 2020. Pictured here with Kathy and Bronwen from Valley Booksellers.
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Grey Cloud Elementary, Cottage Grove, Minnesota. February 10, 2020.
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Oak Grove Elementary, Bloomington, Minnesota. February 7, 2020. (Be sure to read my blog post about these thank you cards!)
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Parkside Elementary, Georgetown, Texas. January 17, 2020. Writing workshop with fourth graders...a LOT of fourth graders! :)
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Saint Mary's Hall, San Antonio, Texas. January 15, 2020. Elementary Assembly and 2nd grade writing workshop. Pictured here is Linda Wells, the wonderful librarian and instructional technologist who made this trip happen!
TEAM Academy, Waseca, Minnesota. December 3, 2019. I don't have any of my own pictures to share, but there was a nice article in the local paper, Waseca County News.
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Luverne Elementary School, Minnesota. November 18-19, 2019. Pictured with TIna Petronek, media specialist, and Bronwyn Wenzel, children's librarian at Rock County Community Library.
This picture of the kindergartners making shadow puppets is one of my all-time favorites! I mean, who WOULDN'T want to make a shadow puppet in that situation? |
FALL 2019: Helping Hands Series in Progress
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I'm working on four more books for
Quarto Publishing. The series is called Helping Hands. It's for children ages 4-7 and covers some serious topics: Bullying, Divorce, Bereavement, and Adoption. There will be content for adults at the end of each book. Writing lighthearted books is more fun, definitely, but this project feels important. I hope that someday, somewhere, these books might make a real difference in a child's life. Here's a sneak peak at a couple of the covers. |
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New Nonfiction!
Grace Hopper: The Woman Behind Computer Programming Capstone Publishing/Smithsonian Little Explorer Grades 1-3 Grace Hopper was a key figure in developing the concepts that support modern computing. She was amazing! And quite a character, too. See her on on David Letterman: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x35dsz7 |
March 12-13, 2019: Young Writers and Artists Conference
South Central Service Cooperative
Bethany Lutheran College
Mankato
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Can't wait to get back to Mankato for this annual conference! My session is for grades 3 and 4. Character Connections: The What and Why of WHO What’s at the heart of any good story? The characters! In this class, we’ll do several fun activities that will give you new ways to think about character. Then you’ll have the chance to bring your characters to life on the page! |
March 5, 2019: Author Visit to
Rockford Elementary Arts Magnet School
Rockford Elementary Arts Magnet School
I had the best time talking to the kids at Rockford Elementary (Minnesota). Lots of practicing writers in that bunch! I knew the day would be special from the very beginning: While I was signing in at the main office, a mom hurried in to drop off the book money her son had forgotten. (Been there, done that!) Aside from a willful name tag that kept ending up in my hair, and a moment of panic when my clicker didn't seem to be working (it helps to turn the thing on), my visit was enjoyable in every way. My thanks to media specialist Tamara Hedeen for making the arrangements.
The above poster was made on the fly by a staff member, so I'd have something to sign and put up on the Author Wall in the library. Honored to be there!
The above poster was made on the fly by a staff member, so I'd have something to sign and put up on the Author Wall in the library. Honored to be there!
January 2019: Bright Start Board Books In Progress
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Here's a sneak peek at books that will be out later this year! Yes, the covers are already done, but I'm working on the manuscripts now. (Ah, the idiosyncrasies of publishing schedules...) This is a sweet series by London-based Quarto Books that explores emotional development with our youngest readers. Two books in this series that I wrote last year will be out soon. I'll keep you posted!
July 28, 2018: Saint Paul Saints Reading Tree
Sun Ray Library
2105 Wilson Avenue, St. Paul
10:30 a.m.
all ages
Sun Ray Library
2105 Wilson Avenue, St. Paul
10:30 a.m.
all ages
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Join me AND a Saint Paul Saints player AND the diva of the diamond herself, Mudonna, at the Sun Ray Library for some fairytale fun! I'll be reading Frankly, I Never Wanted to Kiss Anybody! The Story of the Frog Prince as told by the Frog. (And yep, baseball is indeed part of the story!) |
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FOLLOWUP
Here's a picture of me with Mudonna and St. Paul Saints player Jake Smith!
July 23, 2018: Children's Writing Workshops
Albert Lea Public Library
211 E Clark St, Albert Lea, MN
10:30-12:00 grades 3 & 4
1:00-2:30 grades 5-7
For more info, visit the library's Calendar of Events:
https://alplonline.org/albert-lea-public-library-calendar/
May 15-17, 2018: Children's Writing Workshops
Young Authors, Young Artists Conference
Southeast Service Cooperative
Rochester Community and Technical College
Rochester, MN
March 6-7, 2018: Children's Writing Workshops
Young Writers and Artists Conference
South Central Service Cooperative
Bethany Lutheran College
Mankato
Young Writers and Artists Conference
South Central Service Cooperative
Bethany Lutheran College
Mankato
The Question Session: Q & A Your Way to Great Writing
Grades 3 to 6
Young Writers and Artists Conference in Mankato
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February 8, 2018:
Family Literacy Night Hiawatha and Howe Elementaries Minneapolis I was the featured author at the Hiawatha/Howe Family Literacy Night. This is a community that values books, and it shows! |
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This long-running series is one of Capstone Publishing's biggest sellers.
And I'm happy to say that I've written 9 of the 18 titles in the series! So much fun!
And I'm happy to say that I've written 9 of the 18 titles in the series! So much fun!
October 7, 2017: Deep Valley Book Festival
Here are a few pics from the Deep Valley Book Festival. (Specifics of the event are below.) A slow day for me, sales-wise, but I had fun talking to other authors and readers!
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left: With family friend Holly Albrecht
center: Lonesome Ron! right: friend Terri DeGezelle with the Scarecrow (Tom Hendricks) and the Cowardly Lion (Jeff Kortman) |
October 7, 2017: Deep Valley Book Festival
Mankato Event Center
12 Civic Center Plaza, Suite #10
Mankato, Minnesota
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Mankato Event Center
12 Civic Center Plaza, Suite #10
Mankato, Minnesota
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
I'll be at the Deep Valley Book Festival selling my books most of the day, so come on over and say hi! I'll also be giving a reading and taking part in a book panel on children's books. Here are the specifics:
10:15 a.m. (Writer's Room) Children's book panel with Terri DeGezelle and Kevin & Vicky McLaughlin
2:00 p.m. (Children's Stage) reading BELIEVE ME, I NEVER FELT A PEA: The Story of the Princess and the Pea as told by the Princess
10:15 a.m. (Writer's Room) Children's book panel with Terri DeGezelle and Kevin & Vicky McLaughlin
2:00 p.m. (Children's Stage) reading BELIEVE ME, I NEVER FELT A PEA: The Story of the Princess and the Pea as told by the Princess
July 24, 2017: Children's Writing Workshop
at the Albert Lea Public Library
at the Albert Lea Public Library
May 22, 2017: author visit at St. Paul Music Academy
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Last summer I was a featured author at the Minnesota State Fair's Alphabet Forest. (Scroll down a bit to find out more.) We did a craft activity that went along with Believe Me, I Never Felt a Pea! The Story of the Princess and the Pea as told by the Princess. Well, I had plenty of extra supplies that were just taking up space in my closet, so I made arrangements for an author visit at St. Paul Music Academy. I read the book and gave a little talk to kids on May 22, and then later in the week they made their own towering prince/princess beds. I hope the kids had fun. (You'll note that there's a tiny split pea in the bottom left corner. I did have to buy another bag of split peas, because I turned my state fair leftovers into soup! And now I have most of another bag left and will do the same. Or maybe I should make a dip? If you have any good recipes for split peas, let me know.)
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April 22, 2017: Gigi's Playhouse (St. Louis Park, MN)
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On a simply gorgeous spring Saturday, I had the honor of reading to kids at Gigi's Playhouse, a center for families affected by Down Syndrome. I read People of the World (Go Go Global series) and The LAST Day of Kindergarten. (In the pic I'm talking about dressing up as a TIGER for the Halloween parade!) Then we made graduation caps and diplomas and marched to "Pomp and Circumstance" for our own little ceremony. Congratulations to all! |
Two New Titles in THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY series!!
April 11, 2017
I'm back in the saddle with fractured fairy tales! Just signed a contract with Picture Window Books for two more titles in The Other Side of the Story series (which will bring my total up to nine). The fairy tales I'm reworking are The Three Billy Goats Gruff and The Emperor's New Clothes (can't wait to see the illustrations for THAT one!). I believe they'll be released next spring. Wish me luck!
I'm back in the saddle with fractured fairy tales! Just signed a contract with Picture Window Books for two more titles in The Other Side of the Story series (which will bring my total up to nine). The fairy tales I'm reworking are The Three Billy Goats Gruff and The Emperor's New Clothes (can't wait to see the illustrations for THAT one!). I believe they'll be released next spring. Wish me luck!
February 26, 2017: Writing Workshop for Grades 4-7
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Calling all writerly tweens in the Albert Lea area! Join me for a workshop on Sunday, February 26, 2017. From Itty-Bitty Ideas to Dandy Drafts: A Hands-On Journey through the Writing Process Oh, we're going to have fun. Call 507-377-4356 and sign up today! Albert Lea Public Library (City Council Chambers) 211 E. Clark St. Albert Lea, MN 56007 |
FIRST SCARE added to Amazon Rapids
I'm not sure when this went live, but I happened to notice the other day that my story FIRST SCARE is up on Amazon Rapids. It's about a monster named Dismay and a kid who will NOT be scared. Until, of course, she is...
Check out Amazon Rapids to find hundreds of story apps for kids. (Also check my post below.)
Check out Amazon Rapids to find hundreds of story apps for kids. (Also check my post below.)
November 2, 2016 Amazon Rapids Launch
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Press Release
SEATTLE – November 2, 2016 - (NASDAQ: AMZN) – Today, Amazon announced a new app that offers a playful approach to children’s reading. Amazon Rapids offers illustrated short stories written in a unique chat style that brings stories to life, one message at a time. . . .The app is available for iOS, Android and Amazon Fire devices, and offers hundreds of original stories, with dozens of new ones added monthly. Parents who sign up now can subscribe at a special introductory rate of $2.99 per month to give their kids unlimited access to short stories. Parents can start a free two week trial at http://rapids.amazon.com. With Amazon Rapids, kids can choose from many types of stories including adventure, fantasy, humor, mystery, science fiction and sports. Stories feature a variety of topics, from a grandma invading her granddaughter’s group chat to a duck taking over a rooster’s duties on a farm. Additionally, with age-appropriate content and key features like the built-in glossary and “read to me” mode, kids can feel confident and read independently. Whether a kid is on her way to soccer practice and has 10 minutes in the car, or waiting with friends for the school bus to arrive, she can quickly immerse herself in a hilarious adventure and enjoy the simple pleasure of a great story. ### |
Robin Benjamin, who edited The Last Day of Kindergarten and Baby Wants Mama, invited me to take part in this project. So far I've contributed 5 stories to Amazon Rapids, with more in the works. I'm an app author! It's exciting to be part of something brand new. And while nothing can take the place of a good book, I do feel these apps can play a role in encouraging kids to read.
Here are the titles of my stories:
DEAR SANTA
LUNCH LESSONS
BETTER BUGS
ROMAN'S LETTERS
FAMILY HISTORY
I'll let you know when I add more stories to the mix!
Here are the titles of my stories:
DEAR SANTA
LUNCH LESSONS
BETTER BUGS
ROMAN'S LETTERS
FAMILY HISTORY
I'll let you know when I add more stories to the mix!
2016 Minnesota State Fair
I had a great time as a Blue Ribbon Author at the Alphabet Forest! My project was based on one of my fairy tales, Believe Me, I Never Felt a Pea: The Story of the Princess and the Pea as told by the Princess. Kids made towering mattresses out of ribbons. It was a colorful day, in all sorts of fun ways.
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First kids picked out their favorite words from this list. |
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Then they picked out ribbons to match their words. (I totally got into buying ribbon! It was hard to stop...) |
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They arranged their "mattresses," added wooden sticks as a frame, topped their beds with a prince or princess, and placed the finishing touch...
...a pea, of course!
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And to Jonathan and Anna, family friends who helped me make examples to put up at the fair--
a great big THANK YOU!
a great big THANK YOU!
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Winter/Spring 2016
This has been a very busy winter and spring. I did several author visits and two conferences, went on an epic road trip to California in March, and in April my daughter and I moved to Saint Paul. (I had been living with my mom in my small hometown of Mountain Lake for almost a year.) I haven't been sitting still long enough to do much new writing, but I'm hoping for a nice slow summer with plenty of time to gather my thoughts.
Good news! I'm happy to announce that I'll be a Blue Ribbon Author at the Alphabet Forest during the Minnesota State Fair! I did this two years ago and had a marvelous time making BABY WANTS MAMA placemats with kids. (See my post "A Blue Ribbon Day at the Fair.") This year my featured book will be BELIEVE ME, I NEVER FELT A PEA, one of the Other Side of the Story fractured fairy tales published by Capstone. I don't know the date yet, but I'll keep you posted.
UPDATE: My fair date is Sunday, September 3, 2016, and the hours are 10 to 3. The Alphabet Forest is located in Baldwin Park across from the 4H building. See you at the fair!
Good news! I'm happy to announce that I'll be a Blue Ribbon Author at the Alphabet Forest during the Minnesota State Fair! I did this two years ago and had a marvelous time making BABY WANTS MAMA placemats with kids. (See my post "A Blue Ribbon Day at the Fair.") This year my featured book will be BELIEVE ME, I NEVER FELT A PEA, one of the Other Side of the Story fractured fairy tales published by Capstone. I don't know the date yet, but I'll keep you posted.
UPDATE: My fair date is Sunday, September 3, 2016, and the hours are 10 to 3. The Alphabet Forest is located in Baldwin Park across from the 4H building. See you at the fair!
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MAY 17-19, 2016: I was a presenter at the Young Authors, Young Artists conference in Rochester, sponsored by the Southeast Service Cooperative. The title of my workshop was Share a Scare, based on my Writer's Toolbox book about writing scary stories. At the end of each session, the students shared their tales around a "campfire" of battery-powered tea lights. These kids got their spook on, definitely! |
APRIL 7, 2016: I spoke to kids at Washington and Lincoln Elementary schools in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (I had returned from my trip to California only the week before, so I went coast-to-coast in less than two weeks—not bad for a Midwesterner!) And here's a fun tidbit for you Minnesotans. The NJ kids had all read the book The Year of Billy Miller by Kevin Henks, which opens with Billy tumbling off the base of the Jolly Green Giant statue in Blue Earth. The kids wanted to know if I'd seen the statue. I hadn't, but I sent them the picture of the big sign by Le Sueur on Highway 169, which I've driven by hundreds of times!
I had a lot of books to sign the night before my visit!
A colorful bulletin board...
...and a great big colorful sign. My thanks to Mary Bock, media specialist
at Washington and Lincoln schools, for arranging my visit. And of course,
thanks to the PTAs at both schools for flying me out!
at Washington and Lincoln schools, for arranging my visit. And of course,
thanks to the PTAs at both schools for flying me out!
MARCH 8-9, 2016: I was a presenter at the 2016 SCSC Young Writers & Artists Conference, held at Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato. This workshop was called Good Idea: Turn Your Brain into a Lean Mean Idea Machine. And the kids did just that. I'm always amazed at the nimbleness of young minds!
MARCH 7, 2016: We had lots of fairy tale fun during my author visit at Zimmerman Elementary!
MARCH 7, 2016: We had lots of fairy tale fun during my author visit at Zimmerman Elementary!
With Zimmerman media specialist Talley Blazevic and her son.
The bricks in the castle represent the number of books each classroom read.
These princesses/teachers had the kids practically howling with laughter.
FEBRUARY 22, 2016: Another great visit in Zimmerman (MN), this time at Westwood Elementary.
With technology and media specialist Sarah Montplaisir and media assistant Kathleen Duggar.
FEBRUARY 9, 2016: A huge day at Rogers Elementary (Rogers, MN)—three assemblies, a writing workshop for 4th and 5th graders, and a multi-generational presentation in the evening. But a lot of fun all the way through!
With media specialist Holly Dragisich and a very special beagle named Maisy, the media center mascot.
The Way EYE See It: Cyclops Tells All—one of my favorite books to read to kids.
This might just be the best part of a school visit...