The Author's Showcase - S5E30

The critically acclaimed author of nonfiction books for children, and winner of a prestigious Sibert Honor for the best informational book written in English, Patricia Newman empowers her readers to seek connections to the real world and to use their imaginations to act on behalf of their communities.  Using social and environmental injustice as inspiration for books, such as Planet Ocean, Patricia frequently speaks at schools and conferences to share how children of any age can affect change.   Yet, Patricia came late to writing as a profession, though she was always fascinated by nature. Growing up in Vermont, she was an "outdoor" kid, who planted trees with her dad and tried to save fish. She was also a serious book "nerd,” who raked leaves holding a book." At Cornell University, she pursued a child development major and later taught remedial math. Writing as a job, never crossed her mind.   Newman spent a lot of time reading picture books to her two kids. One day her mother-in-law surprised her by saying, "you can do this." The revelation led to a long apprenticeship figuring out what kids (and editors) want and then how to write it. She found time to write during her kids’ karate and tennis lessons. While working on a book, Newman "may not know where she's going until she's there." But she's pursuing nature, writing about topics that resonate. "I write about things that make me angry. I want to figure out how to fix them and to encourage others to help me."  Patricia's nonfiction books for children have been welcomed in classrooms and libraries around the country.  Considered one of the best nonfiction authors writing for students in today's market, her new release A River's Gifts received starred reviews in Kirkus and Booklist, and is a Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of 2011. Additional distinguished titles include Planet Ocean (Orbis Pictus Recommended, The Best Children's Books of 2021-Holiday Gift Edition, The Bank Street Center for Children's Literature)  Sea Otter Heroes (Robert F. Sibert Honor, Outstanding Science Trade Book, Bank Street Center for Children's Literature Best Children's Books of the Year)  Zoo Scientists to the Rescue (Eureka! Gold Award, Bank Street Center for Children's Literature Best Children's Books of the Year)  Plastic, Ahoy! (Green Earth Book Award, AAAS/Subaru Science Books and Film Prize, finalist)  Neema's Reason to Smile (Parents' Choice Recommended).