Hello,

It’s my favorite season—fall!—but I had a pretty great summer this year, too. More details below, but first…

My newest picture book, Newton’s Paws of Motion, is now available for pre-order. This informational fiction STEM story was inspired by the antics of my own curious cat, Thor, and Karen Obuhanych’s illustrations are absolutely delightful! It’s coming in May 2027. In the meantime, find out more and order your copies here. I can’t wait for you to see it!

From the publisher:

This cat isn’t making a mess. He’s testing the laws of physics.

Newton has made an important scientific discovery: three laws explaining how things move. Of course, a good scientist must test those laws. Repeatedly.

For Newton’s first experiment, there’s his breakfast bowl. It sits perfectly still until one tiny tap sends it down, down, down. CRASH! The floor stops it. First law confirmed.

Next comes a toy car. Tap it and it rolls. SWAT it and—ZOOM!—it rockets across the room. Second law confirmed.

Then Newton tackles his trickiest experiment yet. Push down, go up. Push harder, go higher. Third law confirmed!

There’s just one thing Newton can’t quite understand: Why don’t the humans seem more impressed?

In Newton’s Paws of Motion, award-winning nonfiction author Laurie Ann Thompson and illustrator Karen Obuhanych transform the everyday chaos of living with a cat into a funny, accessible introduction to physics. Newton narrates every experiment with total scientific confidence, while the illustrations reveal the increasingly hilarious consequences happening around him.

The fun continues in the back matter with an introduction to Sir Isaac Newton, clear explanations of his three laws of motion, and an author’s note about Thor, the real cat whose daily knocking, swatting, and jumping inspired the story.

Perfect for ages 4 and up, elementary STEM lessons, force-and-motion units, classroom and family read-alouds, cat-obsessed kids, and young scientists who like their physics with a side of feline chaos.

Experiments complete. Laws confirmed. House destroyed. ISN’T SCIENCE FUN?

I’ve been working on a few different projects: several picture books and a middle-grade nonfiction proposal. I expect I’ll be dusting off my novel manuscript this year, too. I’m looking forward to a bunch of upcoming speaking opportunities and a new book coming in May 2027: Newton’s Paws of Motion!

I’ve also been keeping busy with climate advocacy volunteering—including coordinating a recent trip to Olympia for 15 students and 13 adult chaperones, where the students lobbied 10 of our state legislators for four different climate-friendly policies. It was a successful trip, and it felt good to make a difference—for the climate and for the kids.

In personal news, my oldest kiddo just finished their Master’s degree in bioinformatics and bought a house in Denmark, so I’m looking forward to visiting them there again this year, along with some other fun trips to places I’ve never been before!

I hope you and yours are safe and well.

The whole series, now in board book!

You Are a Robin! and You Are a Garter Snake! both recently released in board book format, so now your littlest readers can own the whole set. All the books in the Meet Your World series use movement and pretend play to introduce young readers to animals that most likely live in their neighborhoods… AND to the joy of reading!

Buy now

2025 in review:

I always like to sit down and reflect on the past year as we move into a new one. Here are some of the highlights:

• I got back on my feet after breaking and badly spraining my ankle at the end of 2024.
• I got to visit my family in Wisconsin and later in Michigan.
• I led the event planning for and moderated a panel at the Citizens’ Climate Lobby’s Greater Pacific Northwest regional conference.
• I sold a manuscript (Newton’s Paws of Motion, coming in May 2027 from Sourcebooks Xpress)!
• I participated monthly in a citizen science program to monitor amphibian populations in a nearby park.
• I bought a new car (an all-electric Honda Prologue).
• I got to spend time with my oldest kiddo when they came back to the U.S. to attend a friend’s wedding on Orcas Island.
• I lobbied for climate policies in person in Washington, D.C., and virtually.
• I researched and made progress on a middle-grade nonfiction proposal, but have since shelved it (at least for the time being). 
• I finished one nonfiction picture book poetry manuscript and started another one (alas, poetry picture books are a tough sell these days!).
• I researched and started drafting another nonfiction picture book (NOT poetry).
• I revised an old nonfiction picture book (but it still needs more work).
• I wrote an article for the SCBWI’s Essential Guide to Publishing for Children.
• I got a letter to the editor published in the Seattle Times.
• I presented at five school visits, one library event, five Meet Your World story walks, the Washington Library Association conference, Kindling Words West, an adult writing for children course, and the Poulsbo Book Festival.
• I planted dozens of trees and removed invasive plants in our local parks.
• I saw a ton of spectacular plays and musicals.
• I got to spend lots of quality time with family, friends, and pets. 

Favorite reads of 2025:

I enjoyed a lot of great books last year, so I wanted to share a few of my favorites with you. In no particular order, here they are:

Picture book fiction:

• Grace Builds an Almost Perfect Dog by Curtis Manley and Tracy Subisak
• This Wolf Was Different by Katie Slivensky and Hannah Salyer
• Blue by Suzanne Kaufman
• There’s Something Odd About the Babysitter by Elayne Crain and John Ledda
• The Riding Lesson by Jennifer K. Mann

Picture book nonfiction:

• From BAM! to BURP!: A Carbon Atom’s Never-Ending Journey Through Space and Time and YOU by Melissa Stewart and Marta Alvarez Miguens
• On an Ocean Journey: Animals in Motion Through the Seas by Elizabeth Shreeve and Ray Troll
• Flurry, Float, and Fly!: The Story of a Snowstorm by Laura Purdie Salas and Chiara Fedele
• Bounce! A Scientific History of Rubber by Sarah Albee
• Pedal Pusher: How One Woman’s Bicycle Adventure Helped Change the World by Mary Boone and Lisa Anchin
• Almost Underwear by Jonathan Roth

Middle grade fiction:

• The Unexpected Lives of Ordinary Girls by J. Anderson Coats
• Premeditated Myrtle by Elizabeth Bunce
• Annie California by Margaret Kellerman

Middle grade nonfiction:

• Eating to Save the Planet: How Veganism Helps Fight Climate Change by Anne Broyles

Adult fiction:

• The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow
• Starling House by Alix E. Harrow
• The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler
• Weyward by Emilia Hart
• The Sirens by Emilia Hart
• The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
• The Story Collector by Evie Woods
• The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods
• Somewhere Beyond the Sea by T.J. Klune
• Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
• Brigands and Breadknives by Travis Baldree

Adult nonfiction:

• Blueprint for a Revolution by Srdja Popovic
• Wildly Inspired by Joni Sensel
• Bigger by Ren Cedar Fuller

Upcoming events:

• Feb 4: Author visit at St. Louise Elementary
• Feb 10: Literacy night at Apollo Elementary
• Mar 1: Attendee at nErDcamp Bellingham
• Mar 2: Author visit at Ben Franklin Elementary
• Mar 17: Keynote speaker at Tacoma Public Schools Highly Capable seminar
• Mar 31-Apr 8: Vacation! 
• May 2: Breakout speaker at SCBWI-WWA conference
• May 11–18: Attendee at Kindling Words West on Whidbey Island
• Jul 14–15: Library presentations at Sequim, Forks, and Port Angeles

I’d love to hear from you! Please drop me a line anytime. And thanks for reading!

This format allows even the youngest readers to enjoy them (and grab, chew on, drop, etc.), and now they can own them all.

These editions are only one spread shorter than the hardcovers and still include backmatter, though it is slightly simplified and condensed.

Find out more about the series and order your copies here!

I’m thrilled to share my latest book deal, a humorous STEM picture book inspired by my very own cat (and his “experiments”). This one teaches young readers about Newton’s Laws of Motion through the eyes of a curious, science-loving feline and his less-than-enthusiastic family. I feel so lucky to get to collaborate on it with Justin Krasner and Karen Obuhanych (go look up her cat illustrations right now): I’m still pinching myself! Alas, we’ll all have to wait until May 2027 to see the final product.

My latest picture book, Let the Light In, is now available wherever books are sold. This book was initially inspired by watching a dear friend navigate a terrible loss, and I drafted and revised it while working through some sad transitions of my own. That may sound a bit dreary, but this book is all about taking care of yourself until you can feel joy again. Adriana Predoi brought it to life so beautifully with her wonderful illustrations, and I’m thrilled to be able to share it with the world. May it offer comfort to all who read it and spark truly authentic conversations between children and their caring adults. Find out more and order your copies here.

From the publisher:

Help little ones move from sadness to brighter days with this hopeful and encouraging look at a universal emotion.

It’s normal to feel sad, but for kids, sadness can often feel overwhelming and confusing. Let the Light In meets children in their moment of sadness and offers empathetic ideas on how to navigate it. Concrete and simple ideas include creative expression, going for a walk, paying attention to the world around them, and visiting a friend. Little ones will be left with the uplifting message that, whether it happens in big ways or small, all at once or over time, sadness will eventually fade, and better days will come.

From the publisher:

The fourth in the adorable, STEM nonfiction picture book series that encourages very young readers to learn—through gentle interactivity and play—about the animals who share their world

Stretch, slip, twist! You may haves seen a small, sleek garter snake disappear amid rocks or flowers. Did you know that garter snakes sniff with their tongues, huddle together for winter, and spray smelly stuff to scare off predators? From birth to first shedding and beyond, discover all that goes into being a garter snake in this charming picture book, the fourth in the Meet Your World series.

This playful and informative series invites you to take a closer look at the amazing animals that live right alongside you in rural, suburban, and urban landscapes across North America. In each book, words and art inspire you to act out animal actions that are not so different from your own habits. And robust backmatter offers even more facts and fun. From the animals’ families and foods to their environments and behaviors, let’s meet your world!

Each year, a committee for the Maryland Library Association (MLA) selects  one winning book and up to three honor books to receive an award in each of the following categories: Beginning Reader Fiction, Beginning Reader Nonfiction, Transitional Fiction, Transitional Nonfiction. The purpose of the award is to identify and promote the best fiction and nonfiction books published at the K‑2nd grade reading level (early readers) and at the 2nd-4th grade reading level (transitional readers), both for children reading at grade level and for reluctant older readers; to provide teachers, librarians, and caregivers with a resource list of excellent books for beginning readers; and to encourage publishers, authors, and illustrators to create high-quality books for beginning readers.

Here are this year’s winners in all categories:

It’s a huge honor to win, and I’m so grateful to the committee for selecting YOU ARE A RACCOON!

Even while I was first researching and writing these, I pictured them as board books. So I’m thrilled they’re finally available in that format for the youngest readers and nature lovers to enjoy (and grab at, and chew on, and…). They’re only one spread shorter than the hardcovers, and they still have backmatter, though I did simplify and condense it a bit.

Find out more about the series and order your copies here!

From the publisher:

The third in the adorable, STEM nonfiction picture book series that encourages very young readers to learn–through gentle interactivity and play–about the animals who share their world.

Flit, flap, flutter! You might have seen a robin flying overhead or heard one singing in the trees. Did you know that robins tidy themselves up, teach their babies to find food, and are almost fully grown in just two weeks? From birth to first flutter and beyond, discover all that goes into being a robin in this charming picture book, the third in the Meet Your World series.

This playful and informative series invites you to take a closer look at the amazing animals that live right alongside you in rural, suburban, and urban landscapes across North America. In each book, words and art inspire you to act out animal actions that are not so different from your own habits. And robust backmatter offers even more facts and fun. From the animals’ families and foods to their environments and behaviors, let’s meet your world!