Laura Purdie Salas

Writing the World for Kids

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Books for Breakfast and Hubbs Children’s Literature Conference

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Just wanted to briefly share two fantastic children’s lit events in the Twin Cities in February. These are awesome events for teachers (and both earn CEUs), writers, and kidlit lovers. They are each $40. First up, on Feb. 1, is Books for Breakfast! I love this book bonanza event and am so happy to be […]

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Fun and Games in Writing in the Classroom

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Hi, teachers! I’m sharing some thoughts on how using some game strategies in your classroom can free kids up to be braver, more creative writers. You can check it out at Mackin’s Teacher Talk blog here. Enjoy! “As a former eighth-grade English teacher, I realize that you have SO MUCH to fit into so little […]

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2019 Poetry Blast at ALA in Washington, DC

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Happy Poetry Friday! Last Saturday, I got to be part of the 2019 Poetry Blast! I had last gone to ALA, to be part of this same event, in 2013. At that time, I was sharing my first two poetry collections, Stampede and BookSpeak! And I was totally overwhelmed. (Thrilled but overwhelmed.) This year, I […]

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Three Days of Poetry at Isanti Intermediate School [Poetry Friday]

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Happy Poetry Friday! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.) Last week, I was honored to spend three days with 4th and 5th graders playing with poetry. We wrote 15 Words or Less Poems, Paint Chip Poems, Things To Do If You Are… Poems, I Am Poems, Found Poems (using pages from National Geographic that […]

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Digital Review Copies of LION OF THE SKY

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If you’re an educator who shares and reviews books online or in person, Lerner is offering a digital peek at my next picture book, LION OF THE SKY: HAIKU FOR ALL SEASONS. Haiku meet riddles in these 24 poems. From baseball to apple, snow angel to kite, seasonal hallmarks speak in haiku to give clues […]

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Hooray for Young Authors

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Over the past two weeks, I did three storytimes at libraries in the East Central Region of Minnesota. It was great to meet families and celebrate kids as readers, as (mostly) preschoolers and toddlers swooped like bats, bloomed like flowers, made monkey noises, did toothpaste art, and echo read  my books and poems. But a […]

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“Calling All Readers” performance

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Seriously, nothing makes me happier than seeing teachers, librarians, or kids having fun with my books. Check out this awesome performance of “Calling All Readers” from BOOKSPEAK!, posted on Twitter by teacher Liz Evans. Thanks, Liz and you other wonderful readers!

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A Compassionate Point of View in Poetry – World Refugee Day

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Wednesday, June 20, is World Refugee Day, and I wanted to share a poetry-writing activity I did with 3rd-8th graders in case you’re looking for a writing activity with one of your summer programs (or in years to come). Almost every year, I teach at Success Beyond the Classroom’s Young Authors Conference at Bethel University […]

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Poetry Month Twitter Chat Tonight!

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Whether you already love poetry, write and/or teach poetry, or are totally intimidated by poetry, this Twitter chat is for you! Come by tonight from 8-9 Eastern Time to join in the discussion and share and learn! Just search for the hashtag #WonderChat or #NYEdChat to keep up with the fun. I’m so glad Carol […]

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The Circle of Inspiration

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One of the very best things about being an author is when your own work inspires readers to create! On Instagram over the weekend, a mom and her daughter (I think this is the relationship) shared this image: Parla wrote that she and Brighton were inspired by an Author Access event I did with the […]

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