Thrilled to reveal the cover of my 10th book for kids (ages 4-8)! FLYING HIGH: The Story of Gymnastics Champion Simone Biles is a poetic tribute to Simone Biles and her family. I have long admired Simone Biles for her hard work, talent, inviting personality, and incredible spirit. I was especially drawn to her story because...
It was an honor to participate in the 2019 History Book Festival in Lewes, Delaware. The History Book Festival is the first and only book festival in the United States devoted exclusively to history. On Friday, September 27, I had a fun author visit with more than 100 students at Rehoboth Elementary School. Then on Saturday, Septembe...
Throughout the summer, it has been an honor to meet children, parents, teachers, and librarians at Brave Ballerina book signings along the Delaware coast. I gave presentations about ballet history and the fierce determination of Janet Collins. In addition to reading Brave Ballerina, we danced! Sharing some of my favorite event photos...
I am looking forward to participating in the Books & Ballet event at Books of Wonder bookstore (18th Street) in New York City on Sunday, July 21, 3 - 5 p.m. I'll discuss and sign BRAVE BALLERINA: The Story of Janet Collins as part of a panel, which will include Monica Wellington, author-illustrator of Dear Ballerina; Lydia Wellington...
The library is my absolute favorite place on the planet! So I'm thrilled to be giving a book presentation and reading at the Pre-Summer Book Party at Lewes Library in Delaware on Saturday, June 1st, 10 a.m. - 12 noon. This event will feature light refreshments, free books for kids, library card sign-ups, and registration for the Doll...
Very excited to be part of #19PBbios — 19 fascinating picture book biographies releasing in 2019! In this "golden age of picture book biographies," authors and illustrators have come together to share new books with librarians, educators, fellow kidlit pros, parents — anyone who loves to read kids engaging true stories about inspirin...
I’m looking forward to presenting on the picture book panel at the Bay to Ocean Writers Conference on Saturday, March 9, 2019. We’ll discuss the writing process for picture books, where ideas come from, and more. Organized by the Eastern Shore Writers Association, this event features 30 workshops in fiction, poetry, nonfiction, & pub...
In December 2018, my husband and I had the pleasure of visiting the Dance Theatre of Harlem in New York City. Anna Glass, executive director of the Dance Theatre of Harlem, gave us a fantastic tour. It was so interesting to see rehearsals and other activities happening in the various studios.
One of the reasons I decided to write BRAVE BALLERINA: The Story of Janet Collins -- I would have loved to read a beautifully illustrated picture book about Janet Collins when I was a little girl. It's so important for children to see role models who look like them -- doing amazing things and going after their dreams. I hope my book...
Growing up in Washington D.C., I was fortunate to see professional ballerinas perform on stage at the Kennedy Center. I have my mother to thank. I remember the excitement I felt seeing ballerinas with brown skin – princesses who looked like me!
Historically, classical ballet has emphasized uniformity, especially in the corps de ballet...
