Available at bookstores everywhere, and through online booksellers, including:

A FEW GREAT RESOURCES, KIDS' BOOK BLOGS, ETC.

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Hello, and welcome!


Thanks for visiting my website. You'll find News on this page, and a bio here. For information about books, themes, and teaching ideas, go to Books/​Activities, or click on specific titles at right. If you'd like me to give a presentation, teach a workshop or visit your school, go to Workshops & Talks. For writers looking for feedback on their stories, click on Manuscript Consultation. And if you'd like some great reading material for your middle-grader, go to Jackson's Book Picks for reviews and recommendations from my son Jackson, an avid reader. Got a question or comment? Send me an email here. I look forward to hearing from you!

EVENTS


RMC-SCBWI Workshop, March 20, 9:30 - 12:30, Denver
TAKING THE CRIME OUT OF RHYME: MAKING VERSE WORK
I'll be leading a workshop on writing rhyming picture books
on Saturday, March 20, from 9:30 to 12:30, in Denver.
For more information, visit the
Rocky Mountain Chapter of SCBWI
or download a flyer below:

BOOK NEWS:


COME TO THE CASTLE! has been included in New York Public Library's 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing for 2009. The book, published by Roaring Brook Press in April, 2009, is illustrated by S.D. Schindler.



Illustrated by Michael Chesworth.
"This ramshackle mess of an abode has real character and happily contains its frolicking family." KIRKUS

Creaky Old House, published by Sterling, arrived in bookstores August 4th. It's the story of a large, wacky family and their worn but beloved old house--and the chaos that ensues when the doorknob falls off the front door.

Join me in affirming the Charter for Compassion:


And, finally, in praise of pooches . . .

Sammy and Stella help out in the office.

Okay, so they don't actually help with writing, but they certainly provide companionship, inspiration, and comic relief. If you're thinking of getting a pet, please consider adopting from a rescue organization or animal shelter; there are so many beautiful animals waiting for a loving home. You can find shelters near you through Petfinder or aspca.org. And here's some excellent information on why it's so important to avoid puppy mills: Best Friends Animal Society.

As for our girls, Sammy came from Retriever Rescue of Colorado and Stella from The Denver Dumb Friends League.

Click on titles for more information:

New
CREAKY OLD HOUSE: A Topsy-Turvy Tale of a Real Fixer-Upper
"The clever, rhyming text bounces along with perfect cadence." SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
COME TO THE CASTLE! A Visit to a Castle in Thirteenth Century England
"Quirky, sarcastic, and rather educational, too." BOOKLIST
WHEN I WAS KING
"This one's a keeper." SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
M IS FOR MISCHIEF
"Ashman's poetic portraits are packed with lots of tasty assonance and alliteration." Starred Review, PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
STELLA, UNLEASHED:
"A hilarious look at the world through the sharp eyes and nose of a dog." SCRIPPS HOWARD NEWS SERVICE
Other Books
BABIES ON THE GO
"A 10 on the "aw"-inspiring scale." PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
CASTLES, CAVES & HONEYCOMBS
"Beautifully crafted and satisfying." Starred Review, BOOKLIST
TO THE BEACH!
"A family outing gone hilariously awry." BOOKLIST
STARRY SAFARI
"A rip-roaring, exciting excursion." SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
RUB-A-DUB SUB
An "enchanting ride." PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
MAMA'S DAY
A "lovely reverie on the joys of being alive and being loved." Starred Review, PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
WHAT COULD BE BETTER THAN THIS?
"Youngsters will find nothing but comfort in these pages." KIRKUS
CAN YOU MAKE A PIGGY GIGGLE?
"Vibrant, playful text . . . excellent for storytimes." SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
DESMOND & THE NAUGHTYBUGS
"A lighthearted look at bad behavior." KIRKUS
THE ESSENTIAL WORLDWIDE MONSTER GUIDE
"As pithy and clever as Ogden Nash at his best." Starred Review, KIRKUS
MAXWELL'S MAGIC MIX-UP
"A riotous adventure." HORN BOOK MAGAZINE
JUST ANOTHER MORNING
"Ashman captures the non-stop action in rollicking rhyme." KIRKUS
HOW TO MAKE A NIGHT
A "captivating collaboration." Starred Review, KIRKUS
SAILING OFF TO SLEEP
"A splendid bedtime fantasy." KIRKUS
THE TALE OF WAGMORE GENTLY
Wagmore is "a charming, gentle hero." KIRKUS REVIEWS