Children’s Nonfiction

kids jumping.jpg

i want to helps kids
become heroes of
their own stories.

My nonfiction writing focuses on the social, environmental, and economic topics that will shape kids’ futures. I want children to understand the challenges facing the world while inspiring them to become agents of change. To do so, content must be age-appropriate, accessible, and offer a hopeful path forward. Let’s give kids the mastery they need to write the future they want. Here’s an overview of my work in this space:

A TASTE OF CHANGE: FACES magazine (october 2019)

The October issue of FACES features stories about chocolate. My article, “A Taste of Change,” introduces youth to Fair Trade as a way to eliminate child labor in the global cocoa industry.

Advisor, WGBH/PBS Kids

Since 2015 I’ve served as Advisor for Plum Landing and LOOP SCOOPS, multimedia children’s environmental programs produced by PBS Kids/WGBH Boston. LOOP SCOOPS offers a series of videos on the science and economics of design, while Plum Landing combines animation, live action videos, and community-based activities to get kids exploring nature in their local communities. For both programs, I worked alongside a team of animators, researchers, and educators to provide input on scripts, refine the scientific and environmental content, and adapt the evaluation tools.

WorkS in Progress

Drawing from my vast K-12 curriculum portfolio (see below), I’m creating works that will inform and inspire kids to make a difference in their communities, from advocating for environmental justice to supporting local businesses. That’s all I can say for now (I don’t believe in spoilers.)

curriculum for sustainability and social justice

In 2002, I founded Creative Change, a nonprofit consulting firm I ran until 2020. Here, I focused on developing curriculum on challenging issues and preparing educators to deliver it in ways that improve teaching and learning. This work is captured in my book for educators, Reframing the Curriculum: Design for Social Justice and Sustainability.

A few examples of the materials I developed:

  • An anti-discrimination curriculum and professional development program for the United Nations Global Teaching and Learning Project. Curriculum addresses racial, gender, class, ethnic, and religious discrimination. (2003)

  • A series of science and social studies lessons on the economic- and environmental aspects of Fair Trade for Fair Trade Campaigns. (2016)

  • A series of geography and science lessons on the cultural and scientific dimensions of climate change developed for The Changing Earth at the University of Minnesota. (2016)

  • A complete course on brownfields redevelopment (the remediation of contaminated properties) in collaboration with the Purdue University College of Engineering. (2009)

  • A suite of lessons on the science and economics of ecological design in partnership with Eastern Michigan University. (2007)