All posts by kathymacmillan

Read This!: SHE LEADS: THE ELEPHANT MATRIARCH by June Smalls

Read This, Recommended Reading

She Leads: The Elephant MatriarchShe Leads: The Elephant Matriarch by June Smalls
Summary: She is the Queen. The matriarch.
She leads her daughters and their daughters.
Text and illustrations follow the journey of an elephant matriarch as she leads her family through the wilds of Africa. With facts about African elephants on every spread and a message that will encourage girls to be the trailblazers of their generation.

A quietly powerful book about real girl power in the animal kingdom. She Leads manages to be both straightforward and moving, fact-filled and lyrical, always firmly grounded in the power, nurturing strength, and beauty of the elephant matriarch and her legacy to those who will follow. Yumi Shimokawara’s naturalistic illustrations bring the queen and her society to life, while June Small’s main text offers the elegance of poetry, filled out by more information in the sidebars on each page. Ideal for storytime, the classroom, or bedtime reading.

SHE LEADS: THE ELEPHANT MATRIARCH is out now.

View all my reviews

 

Oh, The Places Your Mind Can Go!

Authors You Should Know, Contests and Giveaways, On Writing, Young Adult Fantasy

I was honored to be asked to share a writing prompt for CHARM: Voices of Baltimore Youth, an inspiring literary magazine for teens. Seriously, check out their current project, “This is Not a Snow Day”, which documents life in Baltimore during COVID-19, from the point of view of our city’s youth.

 CHARM hosts “Oh the Places Your Mind Can Go,” a weekly video series featuring local authors who invite you to explore the world without leaving your home. Everyone is welcome to pick up a pencil (or phone) and join these weekly writing journeys, AND you can submit your response to CHARMS’s online publication. (There are prizes, too!) Check out my episode (which of course puts a fantasy twist on the theme of place!), as well as previous episodes featuring YA novelist Karen Hattrup and memoirist and poet Sheri Booker, at http://linktr.ee/charmlitmag.

New Little Hands Signing Video: Bathtime, Bathtime

American Sign Language, board books, Contests and Giveaways, Little Hands Signing series, Nita's Day

 

Here’s a fun bathtime song to sing and sing after reading Nita’s Day!

 

Bathtime, Bathtime: A Song to Sign

This is the latest entry in my Little Hands Signing video series. See the whole series here and look for more videos to come!

In honor of the release of Nita’s Day, I’m giving away a signed copy of the set! This makes a great gift and may be personalized. Must by 18 or older to enter. US Only. Giveaway closes May 22, 2020. Find 3 ways to enter here!

 

NITA’S DAY launches today!

American Sign Language, board books, Contests and Giveaways, Little Hands Signing series, News, Nita's Day, Nita's First Signs, picture books, Resources for Teachers and Librarians

Happy book birthday to my newest book, Nita’s Day: More Signs for Babies and Parents! The second book in the Little Hands Signing series features Nita and her family using American Sign Language all day long! With adorable, bold illustrations by Sara Brezzi and a unique slide-open format, this board book makes a great baby shower or new baby gift! Thank you to our ASL/Deaf Culture Advisor Jevon Whetter, Early Childhood Advisor Louise Rollins, and the whole team at Familius Press for helping bring Nita’s latest adventure to life!

Order Nita’s Day now! Autographed copies from the Deaf Camps, Inc. Online Bookstore |  Indiebound.org | Bookshop.org  |  Workman.com (use code BOOKS for 20% off!)  |  Amazon.com  |  BarnesAndNoble.com

Nita’s Day Teacher/Librarian Guide  |  Nita’s Day Signs Demonstration Video

Join me for the Nita’s Day Online Launch Celebration!

Facebook Live Nita’s Day Launch Day Celebration Storytimes:

Sign with Nita All Day Long!

Here’s a rhyme to practice the signs in the book!

All Day Long: A Rhyme to Sign

This is the latest entry in my Little Hands Signing video series. See the whole series here and look for more videos to come!