Skinny Dip

Skinny Dip with Padma Venkatraman
We’re pleased to welcome author Padma Venkatraman, whose every novel I have found delightful. Her perspectives as a world citizen and an oceanographer and a person who cares fervently about children’s well-being give a powerful depth to her writing. We asked Padma to answer the Skinny Dip questions that appealed to her: How many bookcases do you have in your

Skinny Dip with Nicola Davies
We’re pleased to welcome author Nicola Davies to our Skinny Dip column. She writes such fine books about our natural world. Her most recent book, The Day War Came (Candlewick Press), relates the story of a refugee child who realizes that war follows her in the closed doors and turned backs. It is through the kindness of other

Skinny Dip with Kara LaReau
We’re pleased to connect you with author (and editor) Kara LaReau, whose two book series, The Infamous Ratsos and The Unintentional Adventures of the Bland Sisters, are tickling readers’ funnybones and stirring their sense of adventure. She was an editor for ten years, editing some of our most-loved books such as Because of Winn-Dixie and

Skinny Dip with C.M. Surrisi
Have you read the Quinnie Boyd middle-grade mysteries? The Maypop Kidnapping, Vampires on the Run, and A Side of Sabotage? I discovered them this spring and I stayed up several nights to read them. The author of those books, C.M. Surrisi, is just as interesting as you’d think the writer who dreamed up Quinnie, her friends, and her

Skinny Dip with Phuoc Thi Minh Tran
We are pleased to Skinny Dip with Phuoc Thi Minh Tran this week. As a librarian, author, storyteller, and mother, she adds her perspective to the richly textured quilt of books for children. What’s the weirdest place you’ve ever read a book? In the hospital, I read my newly released book My First Book of Vietnamese

Skinny Dip with Becky Kruger
We are so fortunate to have dedicated and inspiring librarian educators working with children in many schools throughout our land. Becky Kruger not only serves as the librarian at Ray Miller Elementary School in Missouri but she also helps organize the annual Truman State University Children’s Literature Festival. Which book you read as a child has

Skinny Dip with Pat Schmatz
Pat Schmatz is the smart, well-read, insightful, and talented author of books such as Lizard Radio, Mousetraps, Bluefish, and her most recent The Key to Everything. She occasionally teaches writing, especially to middle school and high school students. If you have a chance, attend one of her classes. What’s the weirdest place you’ve ever read a book?

Skinny Dip with Kathleen Baxter
Kathleen Baxter, a librarian for more than 30 years, a nationally-known booktalker, a co-author of the wonderful Gotcha! resource books, is best known as the woman who has worked tirelessly to keep Maud Hart Lovelace’s books in print, thereby introducing new generations of readers to the Betsy-Tacy books and the other cherished novels set in Deep Valley. Her most

Skinny Dip with Jerdine Nolen
Jerdine Nolen is the versatile author of picture books, chapter books, and novels, including her most recent books, the Bradford Street Buddies series and Calico Girl. We enjoy having the opportunity to learn more about this writer and educator. What’s the weirdest place you’ve ever read a book? The weirdest place I have ever read a

Skinny Dip with Lester Laminack
Lester Laminack is sought after as a speaker in school districts all over the country. A retired professor, actively involved in literacy on many levels, he’s thoughtful, articulate, and has a sparkling sense of humor. We’re pleased that this very busy author and speaker took time to share his thoughts with Bookology’s readers this month. What’s the weirdest place you’ve ever

Skinny Dip with Laura Purdie Salas
Laura Purdie Salas is a poet, a researcher, and a popular visiting author in elementary and middle schools. Several of her books have turned heads and stirred up a buzz, including Water Can Be … and If You Were the Moon. She has published many books about writing for children and frequently speaks at conferences. We’re pleased that this very

Skinny Dip with Lisa Bullard
Lisa Bullard is a well-respected writing teacher in Minnesota and beyond, having shared her wisdom and her sense of humor about writing with classrooms full of adults and children (usually not at the same time). She has two books on writing, one for adults (Get Started in Writing for Children) and one for children (You Can

Skinny Dip with Brenda Sederberg
Brenda Sederberg is the current facilitator of the Chapter & Verse Book Club in Duluth, Minnesota. She’s an enthusiastic reader and wonderfully avid about sharing the books she reads. A retired teacher, she continues to inspire learning wherever she goes.

Skinny Dip with DeDe Small
DeDe Small shares her enthusiasm about books, reading, and literacy with her students at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. We invited DeDe to Skinny Dip with us, our first interview in the New Year. When did you first start reading books? I don’t actually remember learning to read but I do always remember having books.

Skinny Dip with Kelly Starling Lyons
You may know Kelly Starling Lyons for One Million Men and Me or Tea Cakes for Tosh or Ellen’s Broom, memorable picture books, but we’re celebrating her new chapter books starring Jada Jones! Thanks, Kelly, for taking a Skinny Dip with us in December. Who was your favorite teacher in grades K‑7 and why? That’s a