“Barb was energetic and enthusiastic.”—Danielle Brauweiler, Librarian, Lincoln School
“Barb’s presentations were interesting, informative, and appropriately tailored to the different age groups.” —Kristin Ekelund, VP of Academics, Blythe Park Elementary School
BARB ROSENSTOCK likes true stories best. She is the author of nonfiction and historical fiction children’s books that combine deep research and playful language to bring history to life. Her book, The Noisy Paint Box, illustrated by Mary Grandpré, received a Caldecott Honor. Other awards include an Orbis Pictus Honor, a Sydney Taylor Honor, and a Texas Great Reads Youth Selection as well as numerous national and state recognitions.
Barb loves to share stories and inspire students in schools across the country. She lives with her family near Chicago.
Bookshelf
About the Visit
All of Barb’s presentations cover various aspects of the nonfiction writing process. Each program can be tailored to fit your curriculum needs. She also offers writing workshops for smaller classroom groups. Below are a few of Barb’s most requested programs:
GRADES 2 & UNDER
The Mystery of the Monarchs! Using The Mystery of the Monarchs, illustrated by Erika Meza, Barb will engage students in the process of researching a nonfiction science topic, including an interactive monarch life cycle and images of the author’s trip to Mexico’s monarch sites. Learn how kids and teachers in three countries first tracked the monarch migration and how best to protect the monarchs today.
Noisy Writing: The Caldecott Honor book, The Noisy Paint Box, is about a boy who can hear colors and see music, called synesthesia. Students will explore if they have synesthesia and how writers use their senses to create rich details.
GRADES 3 & UP
The Great Lakes and You! In her book The Great Lakes: Our Freshwater Treasure, illustrated by Jamey Christoph, Barb found a writing topic right outside her window. She will talk to students about using their own stories, and how to make true topics interesting using personal experience. Students bring reusable water bottles and learn why the Great Lakes is the most valuable resource in North America.
Nonfiction Adventures Under the Sea!: Students dive deep into what it takes to research and write nonfiction using Otis & Will Discover the Deep. They’ll learn about mining memories for writing, ocean science, and the courage to explore in writing and in life.
We’re Going on a Camping Trip… and taking President Theodore Roosevelt and environmentalist John Muir along. Using The Camping Trip that Changed America, students learn about the primary research and revision process behind the book, and the history of our national parks.
GRADES 6 & UP
New! American Spirits: A True Ghost Story. Welcome to a nation of new technologies, a pandemic’s aftermath, and the quest for fame through celebrity— the United States BEFORE the Civil War. Learn the story of Kate, Maggie and Leah Fox, teenage sisters who created the American séance in 1848, launching a craze for talking to the dead. Barb will discuss the book’s origins and the process of world building in narrative nonfiction, as well as read a selection and take questions.
Barb is also available for professional development, education conferences, book festivals, and library or museum events.
Testimonials
“In a school containing first to fifth graders, Mrs. Rosenstock was able to engage all students in her interactive presentations, which were outstanding!”—Paige Cohen, Literacy Coach
“Fabulous presentation! The students were engaged and the artifacts were an added bonus to speaking and interacting with a real, in-person children’s book author.”—R. Kim, Teacher
“Barb Rosenstock’s time in my classroom has infused me with ideas and plans. I thank her for sharing her expertise, patience and energy for writing.”—Linda Williams, 3rd Grade Teacher
“Barb was energetic and enthusiastic with the students. She got them involved in her presentation, which they love. The comments I have heard from students and teachers was that she was great and we should have her back!”—Danielle Brauweiler, Librarian, Lincoln School, River Forest, IL
“Students had a great experience! Her presentations were interesting, informative, and appropriately tailored to the different age groups. Barb was also wonderful with the students while she was signing books for over 2 hours. It was a very successful school visit. I received compliments on the visit from both students and school faculty.”—Kristin Ekelund, VP of Academics, Blythe PTA, Blythe Park Elementary School, Riverside, IL