Aside from my deep, abiding love for chocolate, children’s books are my passion*. And unlike chocolate, the more books I get my hands on, the better.

I’m a children’s librarian, writer, teacher, and a  national speaker on literacy for the Bureau of Education & Research. I have a brand-new handbook and seminar called The Best Books to Teach the Common Core State Standards for Reading (K-3).  I also teach a seminar called The Best Young Children’s Books for Preschoolers and Kindergartners and How to Use Them to Strengthen Early Literacy Skills, and if you’re interested in hearing more, please contact me.  I am a contributing writer to ReaderKidZ, a website for teachers, librarians, and parents of elementary students.

I am over-the-moon happy to announce that my first picture book will be published by Charlesbridge in 2015! It’s called To See or Not To See and it’s about Groundhog’s dilemma on February 2. Half of Groundhog’s friends want him to see his shadow so they can have a longer winter, and half of his friends don’t want him to see his shadow so they can have an early spring. What will our hero do on Groundhog’s Day?

I am lucky enough to be married to the very talented author/illustrator Matt Faulkner. (Check out his work: mattfaulkner.com) Together we have three lovely children and two mostly-lovely cats. The FaulkneRemenars live in Michigan.

*This is not to discount the limitless love I feel for my author/illustrator husband and our three amazing children, with whom I love to share books and from whom I have occasionally hidden the chocolate.