guest Archives - Page 7 of 9

evolution cover

Evolution: How Life Adapts to a Changing Environment With 25 Projects
by Carla Mooney (Author) and Aleis Cornell (Illustrator)

Booktalk: In this hands-on, problem-solving book, readers ages 9 to 12 will study evolution, or the process by which living things change over time. One of the most important ideas in biology, evolution explains why there are so many different living organisms on earth. It also explains why you are the way you are. Because of evolution, you walk on two legs and communicate with language. And although evolution is the story of our past, it also helps us understand our future and how we continue to evolve.

Throughout the book, investigations and experiments provide hands-on, problem-solving opportunities for students, incorporating various challenges and tools. Readers simulate the process of natural selection, trace the blue whale’s evolutionary tree, and examine how fossils provide evidence of evolution and adaptation. Using readily available household and recycled materials, each activity takes the reader through an inquiry-based, open-ended investigation that leaves plenty of room to explore individual creativity.

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Evolution - interior pic

Guest Post by Carla Mooney

Carla Mooney has written over 70 books for children, focusing on topics in science, social studies, and current issues. She has a particular interest in projects that enable her to explore history, science, and how the world works.

Q. Describe your writing process.
A. Research, research, and more research! When I start a new book project, one of the first things I do is go online to see what has already been written about the subject. What children’s books have been written on my topic? What adult books are in print? What primary sources exist? Then, I order as many as I can from my local library. By reviewing the existing children’s and adult books, I can get a sense as to how other authors have already covered this material, which can help me find a new angle or develop a different approach to the subject.

I also use the Internet when I research. I’ve become a big fan of gathering background information about a subject by listening to or watching audio or video lectures and courses. I use search engines and my library’s research databases to see what articles, scientific papers, or research studies have been published about the topic. A word of caution — always make sure that you check the validity of a website or the publisher of a book to make sure it is a reliable source. For many books, I’ll contact experts in the field — like professors or scientists — and interview them either in person, over the phone, or through email.

Once I’ve gathered all of my research materials, I actually like to sit down with a notebook and pen and take notes. Something about physically writing notes the old-fashioned way helps me to “see” how I want to organize the book. From these notes, I create an outline.

With my outline, I’m ready to start writing on my laptop. At this point, I often do some additional research to gather more sources or fill in areas as I write. I love it when I find just the right fact or detail for a section! I don’t try to say everything perfectly in the first draft — it’s more important to get it started. Once I have finished the first draft, I go back to edit and edit, until I’m happy with the manuscript.

Q. Tell us about your latest book.
A. Have you ever wondered why fish have gills and humans walk on two legs? Life on Earth is incredible diverse, and part of the reason for this is evolution, or the theory that living things change with time. Evolution: How Life Adapts to a Changing Environment explores the theory of evolution, its history, and how we think it works. In this book, you’ll learn about examples of creatures that have evolved in response to specific circumstances and what evolution might mean for the future of our planet. And one of my favorite things about this book — it’s full of projects and activities that really help readers explore and learn about the science of evolution. Are you ready to take a journey to explore our common ancestors and look toward our shared future?

Thanks for sharing your new book, Carla!

200px-Charles_Darwin_by_G._Richmond

February 12th is Charles Darwin’s birthday.

Can I Touch Your Hair?: Poems of Race, Mistakes, and Friendship
by Irene Latham (Author), Charles Waters (Author), Sean Qualls (Illustrator), and Selina Alko (Illustrator)

Booktalk: How can Irene and Charles work together on their fifth grade poetry project? They don’t know each other . . . and they’re not sure they want to.

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Guest Post by Irene Latham and Charles Waters

Irene Latham is a Birmingham poet and novelist who writes heart-touching tales of unexpected adventure. She has also authored two award-winning poetry collections, What Came Before and The Color of Lost Rooms.

Charles Waters is a children’s poet, actor, and author. His poems have appeared in various anthologies including: One Minute Till Bedtime and The National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry. He lives in New York City.

Q. Describe your writing process.
A. Irene: This book was a collaboration–a first for both of us–so the process instantly pushed us out of our regular habits! As soon as Charles said YES, we immediately got to work writing poems. I think we had the first draft together in about 3 weeks. It was fascinating to learn about each other’s experiences and to share these sometimes painful and difficult memories with each other. I should mention that most of our conversation was through e-mail. We did text some and also have enjoyed a handful of phone conversations over the course of working on this project. We didn’t actually meet until the book was completed and we were invited to speak on a panel at AASL in November 2017. We’ve gotten to know each other in a really special way. My husband and kids refer to Charles as Uncle Charles.

A. Charles: I use pen and paper and then transfer to the laptop. It’s a system I’ve had since I started my writing career and it’s held me in good stead.

Q. Tell us about your latest book.
A. Charles: Our book is about taking chances in unexpected friendships, having tough conversations about race in a kind way, and learning about yourself.

A. Irene: Can I Touch Your Hair?: Poems of Race, Mistakes, and Friendship (Carolrhoda/Lerner) is about a fifth grade boy and girl who have to work together on a poetry project, and they’re not sure what to write about . . . at first. Irene Latham, who is white, and Charles Waters, who is black, use this fictional setup to present paired poems about topics including shoes, sports, music, stereotypes, and much more. Accompanied by artwork from acclaimed illustrators Sean Qualls and Selina Alko, this relatable collection explores different experiences of race, and how we talk about it in twenty-first century America.

Thanks for sharing your new book, Irene and Charles!