Laura Purdie Salas

Writing the World for Kids

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Migration North Is Starting!? #ClassroomConnections

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In our icebox winter here in Minnesota, it’s hard to believe there are any birds flying north at this time! But a few species are beginning their journeys. If you’re talking about migration in your classroom, I’ve got two books you might want to share (and activities that go with both—just follow the links). Also, […]

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Animal Adaptations #ClassroomConnections

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One of the science topics I am constantly fascinated by is animal adaptations: how animals’ bodies and behaviors adapt to their environments. My favorite facts from Snack, Snooze, Skedaddle: How Animals Get Ready for Winter (Millbrook, illus by Claudine Gevry) concern Northern wood frogs that freeze solid and earthworms that migrate vertically, just a few […]

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Moving Toward Independence

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We’re coming up on July 4—the day the United States celebrates its independence. Lots of picture books also celebrate independence, since it’s a crucial journey kids embark on. This includes my newest photo picture book, Secrets of the Loon. In it, Moon Loon has to learn LOTS of skills to become independent! To extend the […]

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Father’s Day Picture Books

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  Looking for examples of great dads to share with young readers for Father’s Day? My new picture book Secrets of the Loon illustrates how both loon parents share all the responsibilities, from guarding the nest to giving hatchlings piggyback rides to feeding the chicks. You can expand the reading fun by partnering my title […]

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Secrets of the Loon Readaloud

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Thank you SO much to everyone who came to the Facebook Video launch of Secrets of the Loon (photographer Chuck Dayton, Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2020). I can’t tell you how much I smiled as each familiar name popped up. I was very afraid nobody would come–there’s just so much going on in our virtual […]

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Online Launch Party and #NationalPoetryMonth Roundup

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Happy Poetry Friday! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.) It’s May! Hooray! I want to share two things with you. First up, I’d like to invite you to the online launch party for Secrets of the Loon. It’s Monday, May 4 at 3 pm Central Time on Facebook, and I’d love to see lots […]

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Day 29: A Special Day? (#NationalPoetryMonth2020)

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Well, it’s a strange time to launch a book, isn’t it? I’ll be honest. Book publication days are typically mostly normal work days for me, anyway. Because a book launch party doesn’t usually happen on the publication day itself, the day itself is kind of anti-climactic, you know? But we usually go out for a […]

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Day 28: Secrets of the Loon Book Birthday (#NationalPoetryMonth2020)

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Whee! It’s the book birthday for Secrets of the Loon (Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2020)! So for today’s poem, I’m sharing the opening quatrain of this rhyming picture book. I’m thrilled to welcome this book into the world. Loons are fascinating, and I think this loon chick’s survival story will inspire readers. Also, Jena Benton […]

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Book Trailer!

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Howdy! Remember those awesome kids at Rogers Elementary School and their fabulous media specialist, Holly Dragisich? Well, I’m super excited to share that a few of the students appear in my book trailer for my next picture book, Secrets of the Loon. Enjoy–and please share if you know anyone who might be interested in these […]

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