Hey there word nerds!
Today I have the pleasure of speaking with Ruth Spiro on the show!
Ruth’s journey as a writer is one I think many word nerds can relate to. She never imagined she’d be a writer…until she started doing it! And now she writes innovative books for kids about science, technology, engineering and math…or STEM as is the buzzword right now.
Her debut picture book, Lester Fizz, Bubble-Gum Artist won awards from Writer’s Digest, Willamette Writers, and was a Bank Street College of Education Best Book. Ruth followed up this success with her awesome Baby Loves Science board book series.
This groundbreaking series includes books on a number of different topics including: coding, green energy, quarks, and my personal favorite quantum physics, which explains the Schrodinger’s cat thought experiment in language that a toddler can understand.
This amazing series has been featured in The Los Angeles Times, Popular Science and Working Mother. And the series features iconic and adorable illustrations by Irene Chan. When an illustrator can make Quarks look cute…OMG!
So listen in as Ruth and I geek out over this awesome series, and give you an inside look into the exciting niche of board books.
In this episode Ruth and I discuss:
- Techniques to craft a book that is engaging to both children and adults.
- How to make abstract ideas accessible to young children.
- Breaking into a specific publishing niche.
- Why you need to be smart in how you network.
- A step by step guide to producing a board book.
Plus, Ruth’s #1 tip for writers.
About Ruth Spiro
Ruth Spiro never imagined she’d be a writer… until she tried it! Now she writes innovative books for children on the topics of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). She hopes her books inspire kids to observe their world, ask questions, and when it comes to their futures, DREAM BIG.
Ruth’s debut picture book, Lester Fizz, Bubble-Gum Artist won awards from Writer’s Digest and Willamette Writers, and was a Bank Street College of Education Best Book. Her articles and essays have appeared in FamilyFun, CHILD, and The Writer, and also in many anthologies, notably The Right Words at the Right Time (Vol. II), edited by Marlo Thomas, and several Chicken Soup for the Soul titles.
Her new picture book series, Made by Maxine, is about an inspiring young “maker” who knows that with enough effort, imagination, and recyclables, it’s possible to invent anything. Made by Maxine is illustrated by Holly Hatam.
Ruth’s popular Baby Loves Science board book series already includes Baby Loves Aerospace Engineering!, Baby Loves Thermodynamics!, Baby Loves Quarks!, and Baby Loves Quantum Physics! And the latest of these wonderful board books to be added to the series include Baby Loves Coding!, Baby Loves Green Energy!, Baby Loves Structural Engineering! and Baby Loves Gravity! which are all available now from Charlesbridge. The series has been featured in The Los Angeles Times, Popular Science and Working Mother, and is illustrated by Irene Chan.
Ruth is also a frequent speaker at schools and conferences. Recent presentations include: the Early Childhood STEM Conference at CalTech, Chicago’s Museum of Science & Industry, and the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. She lives in suburban Chicago with her husband and two daughters.
To connect with Ruth check out her website at www.RuthSpiro.com.
Baby Loves Science
Accurate enough to satisfy an expert, yet simple enough for baby, these clever board books dive into the topics of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math in a ways that relate to baby’s world. Beautiful, visually stimulating illustrations complement age-appropriate language to encourage baby’s sense of wonder. Parents and caregivers may learn a thing or two, as well!
In addition to four already in print, here are the new titles for 2018:
Baby Loves Gravity! (May 1)
This book explores the ups and downs of gravity. When baby drops food from a high chair, why does it fall?
Baby Loves Coding! (June 5)
This book showcases the use of logic, sequence, and patterns to solve problems. Can Baby think like a coder to fix her train?
Baby Loves Structural Engineering! (October 16)
This book explores the basics of building—from foundation to rooftop—and ties it all to baby’s world.
Baby Loves Green Energy! (October 16)
This book explores the climate of our planet and the need to protect it for all babies.
If you decide to check out any (or all) of these books, we hope you’ll do so via these Amazon affiliate links, where if you choose to purchase via the link DIY MFA gets a referral fee at no cost to you. As always, thank you for supporting DIY MFA!
Link to Episode 222
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Until next week, keep writing and keep being awesome!
