Professional Development

I provide ideas for ways to excite young people about science through literature, while giving them the tools to evaluate the authenticity of the facts they read.

In my workshops with teachers and librarians, I describe my writing process, from proposals to publishers to the research, writing–and re-writing–through the final design of the book. We will do exercises on writing and discussion prompts and other strategies for deciphering nonfiction books with children. We will share criteria for evaluating non-fiction science books for the library or classroom. 

I also can do professional development workshops that focus on curriculum suggestions for specific science topics. By matching children’s trade books, both fiction and non-fiction, to science activities, we can explore topics in earth science, marine ecosystems, and climate change.  

I sometimes draw from my book Reading the Environment: Children’s Literature in the Science Classroom, 1997, Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.

“Extremely well prepared, enthusiastic, comprehensive, lots of handouts. Top notch in every way!!”                                                                                                                                    Teacher

Mary was vibrant, knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and entertaining. I came away with multiple handouts, resources, and new ideas.”                                                                        Teacher