My Books for Kids
About Titanicat
Titanicat, published in 2008 by Scholastic, was illustrated by Robert Papp. It was shortlisted on the 2010-2011 Wyoming Buckaroo Book Award List, the 2011-2012 Young Hoosier Book Award List, the IRA/CBC joint Children’s Choice List, the 2009-2010 Keystone to Reading Book Award list (Pennsylvania), and the 2010-2011 Show Me Reader Award list (Missouri). It was also on the 2010-2011 Nebraska Golden Sower Award list and then won the 2011 Primary Golden Sower Award in October 2011!
About The Most Precious Gift
The Most Precious Gift is a Christmas picture book, copyright 2006, illustrated by Floyd Cooper.
"Dog is known as Man’s best friend, but Crisp speculates that a dog became Jesus’ best friend as well. Her curiosity piqued by the appearance of a white canine in various 14th to 16th-century paintings of the Nativity, the author has crafted a dramatic tale about a lowly kennel boy’s beloved white dog, the only possession Ameer has and the only one he deems worthy of giving the newborn Christ child. Cooper’s signature oil-wash paintings look as luminous as ever, depicting soft portraits of a multiracial cast, and the blues and golds of a nighttime desert awash in star glow."--Publisher’s Weekly 9/25/2006
"...The well-written text is full of rich language and dramatic moments, concluding with the Ra prancing along at the head of the procession on the flight into safety in Egypt." --Kirkus Reviews 9/1/2006
"Dog is known as Man’s best friend, but Crisp speculates that a dog became Jesus’ best friend as well. Her curiosity piqued by the appearance of a white canine in various 14th to 16th-century paintings of the Nativity, the author has crafted a dramatic tale about a lowly kennel boy’s beloved white dog, the only possession Ameer has and the only one he deems worthy of giving the newborn Christ child. Cooper’s signature oil-wash paintings look as luminous as ever, depicting soft portraits of a multiracial cast, and the blues and golds of a nighttime desert awash in star glow."--Publisher’s Weekly 9/25/2006
"...The well-written text is full of rich language and dramatic moments, concluding with the Ra prancing along at the head of the procession on the flight into safety in Egypt." --Kirkus Reviews 9/1/2006
About Dogs of the World Dot-to-Dot
The bestselling Dot-to-Dot series is going to the dogs! From the familiar (Golden Retriever, German Shepherd) to the unusual (Basenji, Shiba Inu), these 38 breeds span the canine world. Every dot-to-dot takes up a page, making a nice big picture for kids to color in when they’ve finished connecting. There’s fun information on each pooch’s origin, size, and shape, along with general details, “Did you know?” background, and an amazing fact.
About Totally Polar
Totally Polar, published by Rising Moon, copyright 2001, illustrated by Viv Eisner. A rhyming tale of a boy who wishes it were winter, no matter what time of year it is.
A 2002 Honor Book (Category 1: Stories for Young Listeners), Storytelling World Awards
A 2002 Honor Book (Category 1: Stories for Young Listeners), Storytelling World Awards
About Private Captain
Private Captain, published by Philomel, copyright 2001, cover illustration by Michael Dooling.
Ben needs his big brother to help set things straight again after their Pa dies. Only his brother, Reuben, is in the Union Army, fighting Rebs. But all isn't lost. The Rebs have invaded Pennsylvania, and Ben sets out, with his brother's dog, Captain, to find what he thinks he needs. Instead, he finds the bloodiest battle of the Civil War.
On the 2002-2003 Pennsylvania Children's Choice list.
Winner, Carolyn Field honor.
About My Dog, Cat
Illustrated by True Kelley, published by Holiday House, ages 7-10, copyright 2000
As the new kid in town, Abbie has problems: with bully Pete Street, with making new friends, and with dog-sitting his Aunt Laura's tiny Yorkshire Terrier, Cat. It's bad enough being called "Runtface" yourself. But when your dog is a "Runtface," too, things look bad. Or could it be that courage isn't a matter of size?
On the 2002-2003 Tennessee Children's Choice List.
Scholastic made a new cover of My Dog, Cat.
As the new kid in town, Abbie has problems: with bully Pete Street, with making new friends, and with dog-sitting his Aunt Laura's tiny Yorkshire Terrier, Cat. It's bad enough being called "Runtface" yourself. But when your dog is a "Runtface," too, things look bad. Or could it be that courage isn't a matter of size?
On the 2002-2003 Tennessee Children's Choice List.
Scholastic made a new cover of My Dog, Cat.
About Black and White
Illustrated by Sherry Neidigh, published by Rising Moon, ages 3-5, copyright 2000
Bud is longing to keep a new black-and-white puppy, but maybe it won't fit in with all the farm animals. A sort of "Where's Waldo?" for the pre-school set, "Black and White" sends Bud on a wild search through a barnyard full of black-and-white animals.
About Ratzo
Cover illustration by Fred W. Thomas, published by Rising Moon, ages 8-12, copyright 1998
When Josh discovers abandoned greyhounds in the Arizona desert, he begins to dream of racing a winner of his own. It's only with the help of his grandfather and a blue merle, blue-eyed greyhound named "Ratzo" that Josh learns winning isn't all he wants after all, and coming in first might be less important than finishing.
When Josh discovers abandoned greyhounds in the Arizona desert, he begins to dream of racing a winner of his own. It's only with the help of his grandfather and a blue merle, blue-eyed greyhound named "Ratzo" that Josh learns winning isn't all he wants after all, and coming in first might be less important than finishing.
About Buzzard Breath
Cover illustration by Melissa Sweet, published by Atheneum, ages 8-12, copyright 1995, published in Germany as "General Schlappohr" by Ueberreuter (two printings)
Will is saving his money for the perfect dog. He doesn't want to get stuck with an old German shepherd named "General" who's no good as a guard dog. The other kids laugh and call the dog "Buzzard Breath," and Will's worried that such put-downs will rub off on him. But when Buzz is framed for a crime he didn't commit, Will figures out that a name doesn't make you. You make the name.
Will is saving his money for the perfect dog. He doesn't want to get stuck with an old German shepherd named "General" who's no good as a guard dog. The other kids laugh and call the dog "Buzzard Breath," and Will's worried that such put-downs will rub off on him. But when Buzz is framed for a crime he didn't commit, Will figures out that a name doesn't make you. You make the name.
About Everything Dogs
My first non-fiction book, from Northword Publishing, was based on questions kids asked me when I did school visits. It came out in the spring of 2003.
Everything Dog and Everything Cat also had Polish editions. Not sure why, but happy about it!
Everything Dog and Everything Cat also had Polish editions. Not sure why, but happy about it!
About Everything Cats
My second non-fiction book introduced me to the world of cats. Also from Northword and in question/answer format like Everything Dog, it came out in the fall of 2003.
About Everything Dolphin
My third nonfiction Q&A came out from Northword in Spring 2004.
About Everything Horse
Everything Horse published in June 2005 from Northword Books for Young Readers. My fourth book in this FAQs series, which started with Everything Dog.
About White Star
When you write about dogs, can you have a "pet project"? If so, White Star is mine. After steeping myself in Titanic history and lore, I discovered that three real dogs actually escaped the sinking of this famous ocean liner in April 1912. "Star" and "Sam" are fictional characters, but the story otherwise hues as closely as it can to the truth. White Star came out from Holiday House in Spring 2004.
Also pictured is the Scholastic paperback edition.
Winner, Carolyn Field honor
Also pictured is the Scholastic paperback edition.
Winner, Carolyn Field honor
