News & Events

Upcoming Events

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July 27: American Library Association

I’ll be signing copies of A Love Letter to My Library at Sourcebooks booth #3021 at 2pm. Stop by and grab a free copy!

Interviews

Simplifying Life with Diabetes Interview

I was a guest on the Simplifying Life with Diabetes podcast with T1D Coach Ken Kniss and talked about parenting a child with T1D and how it inspired me to write IT BELONGS TO THE WORLD: Frederick Banting and the Discovery of Insulin. Watch the video.

Diabetes Connections Interview

Diabetes Connections, hosted by T1D Mom Stacey Simms, was one of the first diabetes-related podcasts I listened to when Ryan was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. I was honored to be interviewed by Stacey! Take a listen here.

BreakthroughT1D Play Interview

Check out my interview on Breakthrough T1D Play, which has a goal to advance Breakthrough T1D’s mission of improving lives and finding cures for Type 1 Diabetes, and to have fun doing it — through gaming! I talked about life as a mom to a child with Type 1 Diabetes (which got a little emotional!) and my book IT BELONGS TO THE WORLD: Frederick Banting and the Discovery of Insulin. Watch the video here.

Psychology Today Interview

I was interviewed by Psychology Today to talk about my experience with the Cognitive Behavior Therapy technique Act As If and how it inspired me to write I CAN DO IT EVEN IF I’M SCARED: Finding the Brave You.

Song and Video for A Love Letter to My Library

Sing along with Emily Arrow and friends to this boppy song for A Love Letter to My Library.

Past Events

Illinois Library Association Conference Presentation

I’ll be attending the Reaching Forward South conference and presenting on the panel Welcoming Writers: A Librarian’s Guide to Connecting with Local Authors at 1:45p.m.

AISLE Author Showcase

I will be at the Association of Illinois School Library Educators (AISLE) conference in Springfield on Tuesday, October 7th. I’m participating in the Author Breakfast from 7:15-8:30am and then the Author Showcase from 8:30-9:30am.

National Council of Teachers of English Annual Convention

Join me as I present on the panel Using Historical and Informational Picture Books Across Grade Levels to Spark Dreams at 3:30pm. I am so lucky to share the NCTE stage with fellow authors Nancy Churnin, Debra Shumaker, Amy S. Hansen, and Tina Cho.

Illinois State Fair

Thanks to the Illinois Reads program and Secretary of State and Illinois Librarian Alexi Giannoulias, I will be giving away FREE copies of A LOVE LETTER TO MY LIBRARY at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield on Sunday August 17th from 10am-12pm while supplies last. Grab some cotton candy and come say hi!

Little Charm

La Grange has a great selection of unique shops, including the kids clothing store Little Charm at 717 W Hillgrove Avenue in La Grange. I will be there for a storytime on Tuesday, September 9th at 10am. I’ll be reading IT WILL BE OK: A Story of Kindness, Empathy, and Friendship. I’ll have books available for sale too!

Barnes & Noble Oswego

Then on Saturday, September 13th, I’ll be doing a storytime and signing at the Barnes & Noble at 2590 Walter Payton Memorial Hwy. in Oswego from 11am-1pm. I’ll be joined my fellow author pal Kim Long. Swing by or spread the word by telling a friend!

NIU STEM Fest

I’m excited to visit my alma mater, Northern Illinois University, for their NIU STEM Fest, also sponsored by the Illinois Reads program. I’ll be in the Founders Memorial Library from 10am to 3pm.

Dandelion Bookshop

Dandelion Bookshop in Oak Park will be hosting me for a storytime on May 7th at 10:30am. I am excited to share my stories with little ones in this great new shop! Dandlelion Bookshop is located at 139 South Oak Park Ave in Oak Park, Illinois.

Three Stories Bookstore & More

On May 14th, I’ll be at Three Stories Bookstore & More at 4:30pm. This is a great bookstore and event space in adorable downtown Lemont. I’ll be reading A Love Letter to My Library, playing Emily Arrow’s great companion song for this book, and we will write love letters to send to your local library. Three Stories Bookstore & More is located at 310 Canal Street in Lemont, Illinois.

Illinois Reading Council Conference

On March 13-14 I will be at the IRC Conference, as part of the Illinois Reads program. Two of my picture books are included: A LOVE LETTER TO MY LIBRARY, illustrated by Rob Sayegh, Jr. and IT BELONGS TO THE WORLD: Frederick Banting and the Discovery of Insulin, illustrated by Miss Diabetes. On Thursday March 13, Thursday I will part of the Illinois Reads Author Panel for Kindergarten to 5th Grade from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. in BOS Center B-11A.

Storytime at The Book Stall

Join me at the lovely independent bookstore in Winnetka, The Book Stall, on October 26th at 10:30am. I will be reading I CAN DO IT EVEN IF I’M SCARED: Finding the Brave You and will have activities for the kids!

Author Showcase at AISLE

On November 8th, I will be at the Sourcebooks booth signing copies of I CAN DO IT EVEN IF I’M SCARED: Finding the Brave You. On November 9th, I will be part of the Author Showcase and Lunch.

Book Launch at Anderson’s Bookshop Naperville

I’ll be celebrating the publication of two new books!

CROC & GATOR: Swamp Ranger School, illustrated by Mike Ciccotello, publishes from Pixel + Ink. This chapter book is great for newly independent readers.

I CAN DO IT EVEN IF I’M SCARED: Finding the Brave You, illustrated by Hannah George, publishes from SourcebooksKids. I’m so happy to have another picture book with the great team who published IT WILL BE OK!

Register Here!

A Love Letter to My Library Storytimes

Join me for a storytime featuring A LOVE LETTER TO MY LIBRARY, illustrated by New York Times Bestselling Illustrator Rob Sayegh Jr. You can find me at two events!

La Grange Public Library. June 6th at 11am Central at the La Grange Farmer’s Market.

Midlothian Public Library. June 22nd at 12pm Central

Write. Submit. Support.

March – August 2024

I’m teaching Write. Submit. Support. for Picture Book & Chapter Book Writers through The Writing Barn. This six-month intensive program begins March 2024.

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