Robin was invited to read at the White House Easter Egg Roll in 2003.

Other Authors and Illustrators

Tedd Arnold
Tedd illustrated both Axle Annie and Axle Annie and the Speed Grump. He is the author-illustrator of numerous beloved books, including the hilarious Parts, More Parts and Even More Parts, including the brilliant Fly Guy series for beginning readers and the equally brilliant young adult novel, Rat Life. Soon there will be a new Green Wilma book.


Here's Tedd meeting the frog I named Wilma at Keuka Lake

Mary Jane Auch
A multi-talented, honor-laden, versatile writer and illustrator, M.J. has created picture books featuring wacky poultry and fractured fairy tales. Don't miss the awesome Chickerella. She would want me to say that her husband, Herm, collaborated in the mind-boggling illustrations. M.J.'s novels include Ashes of Roses, Wing Nut, and One-Handed Catch, which is soon to be available from Full-Cast Audio.

Patience Brewster - and be sure to visit her store
Patience brings to our writing group her genius for wit and whimsy as an author, illustrator, and designer of holiday ornaments, greeting cards, and more. Patience's Krinkles ornaments, accessories, furniture, etc., are a phenomenon!

Toni Buzzeo
This former librarian is a popular picture-book author (Dawdle Duckling, Our Librarian Won't Tell Us Anything! and others) and speaker. She is the co-author of Terrific Connections, a guide to having a successful author visit. She also writes the scripts for the Reader's Theater in LibrarySparks Magazine, including one for Axle Annie and the Speed Grump, which reappears in READ! PERFORM! LEARN! Volume 2.

Bruce Coville
In demand as a storyteller and speaker, Bruce brings every ounce of his generous, charismatic personality to all he does. His many books range from the hugely popular My Teacher is an Alien and Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher, to elegant picture-book retellings of works by Shakespeare, to the richly hilarious Thor's Wedding Day.

Cynthia DeFelice
Cynthia is an accomplished, mesmerizing storyteller and hostess of our writers' group. She is also a master quilter!
Reknowned for her many contributions to children's literature, including including the award-winning Cold Feet and One Potato, Two Potato, and novels such as Weasel and its sequel, Bringing Ezra Home, and The Ghost of Fossil Glen.

Marsha Hayles
Pajamas Anytime, He Saves the Day, The Feathered Crown are charming picture books with irresistible language by this dynamic author and former teacher who often saves the day for PBJAM, our picture book writers' group. Watch for her forthcoming books: Storm Jazz, Bunion Burt, and an exciting novel, Breathing Room.

Anna Grossnickle Hines
A comprehensive website by a delightful author/illustrator.

Layne Johnson
Layne's stunning work illustrates Christmas for a Kitten. You can see it at his site and on this beautiful video.

Verla Kay
The web site of children's author Verla Kay is a huge service to writers, teachers, kids, anyone! You'll find tons of information here and many useful links.

Jennifer Meagher
A top finalist in the Artshow at SCBWI 2005 NYC, and illustrator of Luvella's Promise by Joan Foley Baier, Jennifer brings her writing and editing skills to PBJAM. If you drive through Fairport, NY, on the Erie Canal, you will be greeted on Main Street by the life-size statue of a mule, for which Jennifer created a 3D faux finish, with designs looking as if carved from wood. The intricate designs celebrate the creation of the canal. And I saw this mule in her living room as it was being created.

Linda Sue Park
Linda Sue belongs to a group of authors and illustrators who meet regularly for lunch in our city. She's not only a great writer, whose A Single Shard won the 2002 Newbery Award, she's also the one who figures out how much each of us owes for lunch, including tax and tip. Her books, The Mulberry Project and Archer's Quest (mid-grade) and Firekeeper's Son (picture book) continue in this author's award-winning tradition. Linda Sue is a compelling speaker and enthusiastic advocate for readers and reading.

Planet Esmé
This site belongs to the author of Educating Esmé: A Diary of a Teacher's First Year, the wonderful novels Sahara Special and the new Vive Paris! She is also the author of the extraordinary, inspirational How to Get Your Child to Love Reading. Here you will find a treasure trove of reviews, recommendations, and resources for teachers, writers, and readers. A few years ago I vacationed in Vermont with my mother and siblings, and we all read Esme Raji Codell's beguiling Educating Esmé. One evening as we watched the sunset, the clouds rearranged themselves to spell out E-S-M-E. We all saw it at the same moment. Honest!

Vivian Vande Velde
Vivian's novel, Never Trust a Dead Man, won the Edgar for best YA mystery. Her Heir Apparent and Now You See It are on numerous state reading lists, as are many of her other wonderful books. Her writing is gorgeous, spooky, hilarious, moving, and full of surprises. Check it out!

Tracie Zimmer
Tracie is an educator, author and developer of numerous teaching guides, including those for Axle Annie, Axle Annie and the Speed Grump, Author Day for Room 3T, Nouns and Verbs Have a Field Day, and Punctuation Takes a Vacation.

Writing Resources

The Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators
If you want to write for children, join this organization.

CBC Children's Book Council
A useful site for writers, readers, and teachers. You'll find lists of publishers, interviews with authors and illustrators, and guidance for planning author visits.

The Horn Book
I started reading The Horn Book magazine when my children were very young. When you're a new mother, you look for evidence that the world is a welcoming place. The Horn Book introduced me to the world of children's books and their creators. My kids are grown now, but The Horn Book continues to offer insight into human nature at its best.

www.JacketFlap.com
An exciting new resource that promotes children's books and connects the people who create them.

The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation
Unfortunately, I discovered this site after I had finished writing Punctuation Takes a Vacation. A great-and fun!-resource.

The Purple Crayon
A comprehensive site hosted by children's book editor Harold Underdown.

Write 4 Kids .com
This site will lead you to an active email discussion list of children's authors both aspiring and established.

Other Related Links

10th Annual Rochester Children's Book Festival
Book signings and presentations by authors and illustrators from Upstate New York-and beyond.

Cricket Magazine group
Magazines in the Cricket family have published several of Robin's stories and articles such as Gran Fran's Garter and Such Foolishness!

Full Cast Audio
A new publisher of fantastic audio books, produced by Bruce Coville and read not by a single reader, but by a full cast! Its first season offered titles by Bruce Coville, Paula Danziger, Tamora Pierce, Eleanor Estes, and Doug Cooney. You can send for a free 30-minute sample tape of a story by Bruce Coville.

TeachingBooks.net
This site has an audio offering, "Author Name and Pronunciation Guide," the "first-ever" collection of authors and illustrators pronouncing and sharing anecdotes about their own names, including mine!

Jane Goodall Institute
"We have a choice to use the gift of our lives to make the world a better place." To observe publication of Author Day for Room 3T and in honor of Jane Goodall's work, I became guardian for "Petit Prince," an orphan chimpanzee. At this site you can learn about Jane's "Roots and Shoots," a program that inspires youth to make a difference by becoming involved in service projects that promote care and concern for animals, the environment and the community.

Lift Bridge Books
Located in Brockport, NY, near Rochester, Lift Bridge is a wonderful independent bookstore with a friendly, helpful, knowledgeable staff.  They stock adult and children's books on every imaginable subject and interest, as well as a wide assortment of innovative toys.

Peters Family Life Center
The Pieters Family Life Center is operated by Heritage Christian Services, a thriving, quality-driven human services agency known for innovative programs and supporting more than 1,400 children and adults with developmental disabilities.

SafeNY school bus and traffic safety page
This page has tips on school bus safety. There is even a traffic sign quiz.

PartsGeek school bus safety resource
A reader named Sara recommends this page that links to lots of great bus safety resources.

Sibling Support Project
Great information, support, and recommended books for kids who have siblings with special needs.

Special Olympics Official Site | Find Your Regional Program
Way to Go, Alex! was inspired by my son, David's participation in Special Olympics. Special Olympics events are uplifting and free to attend. If you're looking for hope or inspiration, you'll find it here, as I have.

Steve Spangler Science
This site has all sorts of science supplies, kits, and materials. There's even an Axle Annie kit (it includes the book!) that lets you make your own snow!

TeachingBooks.net
They have an audio offering, "Author Name and Pronunciation Guide," the "first-ever" collection of authors and illustrators pronouncing and sharing anecdotes about their own names, including mine!

The Humane Society of the United States
The kitten in Christmas for a Kitten isn't the only abandoned animal who needs to find a home.