Author of over 400 Books for Children and Adults
This is the story of a selchie, human on land and seal in the sea, who is adopted by a fisherman and his childless wife. They raise the boy, Greyling, and keep him from the sea, fearing that if he turned back into a seal he would never return. And then one fateful day, Greyling dives into the sea to
Rebecca Kai Dotlich and I wanted to write a book of poems together. We tried several ideas, but the one that seemed to catch fire—and catch the eye of an editor was a book of fairy tale poems each fairy tale with a poem by each of us.
A collection of poems based this time on nursery rhymes, in which poet Rebecca Kai Dotlich and I write poems from differing viewpoints than the originals. This follows the well received GRUMBLES FROM THE FOREST collection which did the same for fairy tales.
Originally published as Writing Books for Children, and revised and updated twice, this book is now–alas–out of print. But I still think that some of the essays–notably on writing with joy, folk tales, fantasy, and children’s poetry stand the test of time.
My very first (and over long) fairy tale, a romp about a princess who can’t sleep and how her father the king tries everything in his power to help her. But of course it takes a gifted outsider to tell her what she needs. This story was fueled by my interest in James Thurber’s fairy tales
This was originally (1976) a poem in Cricket about the many uses of hands. Years later (1991) it published by the educational publisher, Sundance in both a small and a Big Book paperback.
The Springfield Museum was putting together a doll and dollhouse show and asked me to write a little story that they could use as their catalog. Allen Epstein, a local photographer, was assigned to work with me. I wrote a story about Hannah (portrayed by my daughter Heidi) who goes into the
This mammoth collection of stories, songs, poems–and information–about Christmas is defined by its brilliant dePaola pictures. I think it is among the best work Tomie has ever done! Adam and I wrote two new Christmas songs for the book and he arranged a number of popular Christmas carols as well.
There is an old English hymn called “Harvest Home” which I love, and autumn–with its gathering-in–is my favorite time of year. So when I heard the line repeating in my head, “Bringing the harvest home…” I knew there was a poem to be written.
Seven original stories that all purportedly take place in one house, though at a variety of times. Bruce Coville, Anna Grossnickle Hines, Gary Hines, Mary Whittington, Janet Gill, and Barbara Diamond Goldin all wrote stories. Every one of us had a