Posts Tagged “writing for children”

STEM Tuesday– Plants– In the Classroom

By on July 8, 2025   /   Articles, Plants, STEM Tuesday  

 

Most plants obtain their energy by converting sunlight into food, which makes them a target for hungry animals. But not all plants are defenseless. Some plants fight back, and a few even become a threat to those trying to eat them. These books explore many interesting plants and the strategies and adaptations they use to survive. They make a great starting point for nature explorations, classroom discussions, and activities!

 

Killer Carnivorous Plants (Creepy, Kooky Science)Killer Carnivorous Plants

by Nathan Aaseng 

Plants gather energy from the sun and turn it into leaves, flowers, fruit. Animals, who can’t produce their own food, eat the plants. But what happens when you turn the food chain upside down? When the plants are the hunters and animals the hunted? In this book you’ll meet sticky traps, trigger traps, and pits of death. There’s also a handy survival manual for carnivorous plants.

 

Classroom Activity – Build a Carnivorous Plant Model

How do carnivorous plants trap animals and insects? Divide students into small groups. Assign each group a type of carnivorous plant trap mechanism, such as snap traps, pitfall traps, and sticky traps. Each group should research their assigned trap and the plants that have it. Using classroom craft supplies such as paper, cardboard, string, and glue, each group should design a working model of their plant trap. When all models are completed, each group of students can share what they learned about the trap and demonstrate their model for the class.

 

When Plants Attack: Strange and Terrifying PlantsWhen Plants Attack: Strange and Terrifying Plants

by Rebecca Hirsch

Beware the killer plants – the leaves that sting, the jaws that trap. This book, not for the faint-of-heart, is the perfect read for kids who want to know about the bird-catching plant, vampire vines, and corpse flowers.

 

 

A Deathly Compendium of Poisonous Plants: Wicked Weeds and Sinister SeedsA Deathly Compendium of Poisonous Plants: Wicked Weeds and Sinister Seeds

by Rebecca Hirsch

For older readers, Hirsch has an engaging, conversational, almost conspiratorial, text invites the reader on an exploration of the “science, history, and true crime coverage” of fourteen poisonous plants, seeds, and fungus found around the world. Gorgeous taxonomic illustrations, photos, and “Deadly Details” sidebars help highlight some innocent and more sinister encounters with these plants.

 

Classroom Activity – Design Your Own Deadly Plant

Nature has created many deadly plants. Now, it’s your turn! Students should use their imagination to create a poisonous or carnivorous plant. Write a description of the deadly plant and include the following details:

  • Where does the plant grow?
  • How does it trap or poison prey?
  • What adaptations does the plant have?
  • What animals or humans should avoid the plant?

Students can draw a picture, create a model, or build a representation of their deadly plant creation and present it to the class.

Classroom Activity – Poisonous Plants Safety

What poisonous plants live in your community? Have students select a local poisonous plant to research, individually or in small groups. With the information they learn, students should prepare a public safety announcement to warn people about the dangers of the plant. They can make a safety poster, film a commercial, or make a PowerPoint presentation warning about the local poisonous plant. The warning should include information about where it is commonly found, how to identify the plant, symptoms that occur when one comes into contact with the poisonous plant, and first aid tips.

 

Andy Warner's Oddball Histories: Spices and Spuds: How Plants Made Our World (Andy Warner's Oddball Histories, 2)Oddball Histories: Spices and Spuds: How Plants Made Our World 

by Andy Warner

From trees to rice, tea to spice, plants are central to our day-to-day lives. In graphic novel-style, this book explains how plants, from corn to potatoes, shaped human history. First, a grounding in plant essentials: photosynthesis, food web, and a fun graphic table of contents. Chapters focus on wood and wheat, tea and tulips, potatoes, peppers, cotton, corn, and rice.

Classroom Activity – What If Plants Disappeared?

Plants have had an integral role in Earth’s history. Animals and humans have relied on plants for food, shelter, and more. But what if plants disappeared from Earth? What impact would it have on ecosystems, animals, and humans? Conduct a group discussion or have students write a brief essay on the significance of plants to ecosystems and human life. Have them think about what life would be like without plants.

 

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Carla Mooney loves to explore the world around us and discover the details about how it works. An award-winning author of numerous nonfiction science books for kids and teens, she hopes to spark a healthy curiosity and love of science in today’s young people. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, three kids, and dog. Find her at http://www.carlamooney.com, on Facebook @carlamooneyauthor, on Instagram @moonwriter25 or on X @carlawrites.

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Author Spotlight: Katie Kirby

By on July 3, 2025   /   Articles, Author Interviews  
Today, let’s give a hearty Mixed-Up Files welcome to Katie Kirby, the author/illustrator of The Extremely Embarrassing Life of Lottie Brooks. The novel, first published in the U.K. in 2021 and praised by Kirkus as “a funny and reassuring reminder that no matter how great Plan A seems, sometimes Plan B turns out to be better,” is now available from Random House in the U.S.

Lottie Brooks: A Summary:

Lottie Brooks is 11 ¾ and her life is already officially over. Not only is she about to start secondary school without any friends or glamorous swooshy hair, but she’s just discovered she’s too flat-chested to even wear A BRA! She might as well give up now and go into hibernation with her hamsters, Sir Barnaby Squeakington and Fuzzball the Third.

Lottie navigates the perils of growing up in this fantastically funny new illustrated series for pre-teens filled with friendship, embarrassing moments and, of course, KitKat bars.

Q&A with Katie Kirby

MR: Welcome to the Mixed-Up Files, Katie. Huge congrats on the U.S. publication of Lottie Brooks!

KK: Thank you so much! I’m very happy to be here and very excited to be bringing Lottie to America. I think she’s going to love it!

Welcome to America, Lottie!

MR: Although Lottie Brooks is new to American readers, the series is wildly popular in the U.K. (The eighth book in the series came out in the U.K. yesterday.) You even have Lottie merch, including T-shirts, totes, and sweatshirts, and mugs. What is it like to experience this kind of success following a debut? It must be pretty heady, right?

KK: To be honest with you, it’s completely mind blowing! With the first Lottie book, I just wrote something I would have enjoyed reading when I was Lottie’s age – I had no idea it would resonate with so many readers. But I’m obviously very chuffed it has, and even more chuffed that I get to say my job is being an author!

Lottie Brooks: The Inspiration

MR: What inspired you to write Lottie Brooks? I have a feeling, but I don’t want to be presumptuous. 🙂 

KK: I was a big reader when I was younger and I particularly loved books that reflected how I was thinking and feeling – Judy Blume was my number one fave! She put into words all the things I couldn’t say out loud, and that really helped me through those tricky tween and teen years. With Lottie, I’ve tried to do the same thing.

MR: And you’ve succeeded. I too am a HUGE Judy Blume fan (check out my love letter to Judy here), and I definitely picked up on the influence Judy’s writing had on your book, particularly her 1970 classic, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. Both Margaret and Lottie are obsessed with bras and breast growth! 

As a follow-up, did you always envision Lottie Brooks as a series?

KK: My first book deal was for two books, so a series was always on the cards, but of course I had no idea how it would be received. Now I’m writing Book 9 and have no plans to stop!

Dear Diary…

MR: Lottie Brooks is written in diary form. What informed this stylistic decision? Did you keep diaries as a child?

KK: Funnily enough, I actually started writing the book in chapters but felt it wasn’t working quite as well. I feel like diaries lend themselves well to humor, and when I switched to that format it clicked. I also love that in a diary the protagonist can just mainly dump their innermost thoughts and feelings.

And yes, I kept diaries on and off when I was younger. They are very cringeworthy to read now, but I’m also very glad I have them – so many memories!

Portrait of an Artist

MR: In addition to writing the novel, you created the illustrations. What was the process like for you? Did you do both at the same time or add the illustrations later? Also, how does being an artist influence your writing—and vice-versa?

KK: I love doing the illustrations. I feel they add real comedy value and are often the punchline to a scene/entry. I really don’t think my books would be the same without them.

In terms of the process, I used to do the illustrations at the same time as the text, but as deadlines have got shorter, I now tend to do most of the text first and mark out places where I’ll add illustrations later on.

I love that you refer to me as an ‘artist’ but I’m not sure stick people really count – ha ha! Thanks though 😊

By Popular Consensus

MR: An overarching theme in the book is popularity. In fact, the drive to be popular causes Lottie to turn her back on her new friend at school, Jess. Why do you think tweens behave in a way that doesn’t align with their values, just to fit in? Also, is this a theme you explore in your other Lottie books?

KK: I think tweens often do feel really pressured to be popular and that being popular is the key to being happy–but that’s not the way it really works, and Lottie learns this the hard way. Her friend Jess is unapologetically herself and doesn’t care what people think of her. Don’t we all wish we could be more like Jess!

Friendships, high school hierarchies, and mean girls are common themes across the series. I won’t give too much away, but Lottie goes on a real learning journey.

The Perils of Puberty

MR: Puberty is handled in a sympathetic yet hilarious way. Lottie’s family even throws her a “pubic-hair tea party” to celebrate Lottie’s first hair. Was your experience as a prepubescent similar to Lottie’s? Also, what advice would you give to 12-year-old Katie?

KK: LOL – the pubic hair tea party, I certainly didn’t get one of those!! I remember my mum giving me factual books on puberty, but we didn’t really talk about it much. I wish we had, as I think that would have made it feel much less awkward and embarrassing.

I would say to myself at 12 – don’t be ashamed as your body changes, it’s all perfectly normal and happens to everyone, and don’t worry, you won’t be flat-chested forever!

Publishing Across the Pond

MR: As above, this book was first published in the U.K. in 2021 and has been adapted for an American audience (i.e., Lottie says “Mom” instead of “Mum,” and “chips” instead of “crisps,” etc.) Were you involved in this part of the publishing process? If so, what was it like?

KK: I got to approve all of the changes, but to be honest, I largely left it in the very capable hands of my editor! I was very happy for her to make any changes that would make the book work better for U.S. readers.

Blogger-Turned-Children’s Author

MR: Prior to writing the Lottie Brooks series, you were a blogger. (Katie’s popular parenting blog, Hurrah for Gin, was adapted into a best-selling book.) What prompted your decision to write for children?

KK: That’s a blast from the past! I had always loved writing, hence the blog, and my UK publishers came across it and felt like the style would work well for children, too. I guess on reflection it was kind of silly and immature. Anyway, they asked me to give it a try, and hence Lottie was born!

Plotter or Pantser?

MR: What is your writing process like? Do you have a specific routine or word-count goals? Any writing rituals? Also, are you a plotter or a pantser?

KK: I’m a PANTSER in capital letters, but I really wish I could say I was a plotter, as surely that would make my life less stressful?! Sometimes I have no idea where a book is going to go when I start writing it. I also get bored quickly so write scenes from the middle or end and then have to fit them all back together like a complicated jigsaw. It’s a real headache!

MR: Finally, what’s next on your writing agenda, Katie? Would you mind sharing a bit about your latest project?

KK: I can’t share too much as obviously I’m writing quite far down the line in Lottie’s adventures, but I will say there is PLENTY of drama and embarrassing moments in store for poor Lottie!

Lightning Round!

MR: Oh! One last thing. No MUF interview is complete without a lightning round, so…

Preferred writing snack? Corn-based crisps (or chips as you’d say!). I don’t think you have Monster Munch, so I’ll go with Cheetos.

MG authors that inspire you? Judy Blume – My OG writing hero!

Coffee or tea? Coffee – I hate tea, which is not very British of me!

Zombie apocalypse: Yea or nay? Nay – I’d be dead in 30 seconds.

Superpower? The ability to pause time. Think about the clever comebacks!

Favorite place on earth? This is cheesy – but home.

You’re stranded on a desert island, with only three items in your possession. What are they? Suncream, water, and an inflatable flamingo.

MR: Thank you for chatting with me, Katie—and congratulations on the publication of The Extremely Embarrassing Life of Lottie Brooks. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I know MUF readers will too.

Bio

Katie Kirby is a writer and illustrator who lives by the sea in Hove, England, with her husband, two sons, and dog Sasha. She has a degree in Advertising and Marketing and after spending several years working in London media agencies, she started a blog called Hurrah for Gin, which was adapted to a best-selling humorous parenting book. Katie likes gin (obviously), rabbits, over-thinking things, the smell of launderettes, and Monster Munch. The Extremely Embarrassing Life of Lottie Brooks is her first novel. Learn more about Katie on her website and follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

Author Melissa Roske smiling and signing a book at a bookstore event. She is seated at a wooden table in front of bookshelves, wearing a sleeveless purple dress.

Melissa Roske is a writer of middle-grade fiction. Before spending her days with imaginary people, she interviewed real ones as a journalist in Europe. In London she landed a job as an advice columnist for Just Seventeen magazine. Upon returning to her native New York, Melissa contributed to several books and magazines, selected jokes for Reader’s Digest (just the funny ones), and received certification as a life coach from NYU. In addition to her debut novel Kat Greene Comes Clean (Charlesbridge), Melissa’s short story “Grandma Merle’s Last Wish” appears in the Jewish middle-grade anthology, Coming of Age: 13 B’Nai Mitzvah Stories (Albert Whitman). Learn more about Melissa on her Website and follow her on  Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

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Notes of Hope when the world is too much

By on June 28, 2025   /   For Teachers, For Writers, Teacher Tips, Writing  

When it seems like the world is just too much for our kids, when we witness hurt, fear, loneliness, a middle schooler’s loss of family or friends, it’s time to spread some hope. This is exactly how Libby, who comes from a long line of bullies, fights her reputation after finding a stone painted with the words Create the world of your dreams, in Flight of the Puffin by Ann Braden. In searching for ways to create that world, Libby, a lonely and art driven middle schooler, sets off a chain reaction of notes of hope when she writes You are awesome on an index card and leaves it outside for someone else who might need a bolster to find.

My own decision to create Notes of Hope with my students came as a project at Mount Mary University to coincide a visit from Diana Chao, originator of Letters to Strangers, to speak about “the largest global youth-run nonprofit seeking to destigmatize mental illness and increase access to affordable, quality treatment, particularly for youth.”

Letters to Strangers, recognizing that it often takes one voice to raise us up, collaborates with student clubs on campuses to write anonymous, heartfelt letters to share vulnerabilities and offer support for others who fight through difficult times.

My class, a group of future teachers, social workers, art therapists, and communication majors, was studying Young Adult Literature. We focused that semester on the literature of mental health and hope. We created origami envelopes using craft cover stock and wrote and decorated notes with ribbons, drawings, and our messages. We wanted to spread the word that creating the world of your dreams, can happen one note of hope at a time. Our Notes of Hope were included as part of the centerpieces at the speakers’ lunch. But my students found the exercise so uplifting that they created over 100 notes and saved some for friends and family, and dropped many more throughout campus knowing the found notes would bolster someone’s day.

Notes of Hope created by students at Mount Mary University and St. Joan Antida High School in Milwaukee

I repeated this activity with a high school group at St. Joan Antida High School in Milwaukee, and again, the group experienced an amazing day of peaceful sharing as they designed their notes and wrote hopeful phrases. While I strongly encourage students to write their own words, they were allowed to share those of artists and authors. Although many students began with published words of wisdom, as they personalized their notes, they wrote their own words offering praise for strength and calm and supporting those who struggle with self- esteem and mental health issues. This is an activity that would surely be successful with all ages.

 

In preparing students for this activity, we read Braden’s novel and studied the work of Letters to Strangers. I also created a sample note with Emily Dickenson’s poem:

“Hope” is the thing with feathers –

That perches in the soul –

And sings the tune without the words –

And never stops – at all –

Notes of Hope isn’t the only effort to stamp out loneliness and bullying and hate. Author Braden developed the Local Love Brigade where Vermont residents send out postcards to support Vermonters experiencing hate. In an interview for the vt digger, Braden explained her motivation. “Love can be seen as a soft and gentle emotion, but it can also be fierce and strong and powerful. That’s really what we’re channeling here.”

I’d love to see what you and your students create to spread hope and create the world of your dreams. Drop me a line and I’ll post your photos. (aangel@aol.com).

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