Institute of Children's Literature - Our Exceptional Instructors

Sharon Hart Addy

Ideas for picture books, stories, articles, poetry, and crafts have drawn Sharon Hart Addy to writing for nearly 20 years.

Her first picture book, We Didn’t Mean To (Steck-Vaughn, 1981), is part of the Life and Living series, which deals with emotionally difficult situations children encounter on a daily basis. Her second book, A Visit With Great Grandma (Albert Whitman, 1989), has been praised for its warm and loving portrayal of a multicultural, intergenerational relationship.

Right Here on This Spot (Houghton Mifflin, 1999) was the recipient of the Archer/Eckbald Children’s Picture Book Award. Ms. Addy’s sense of humor and interest in the Old West produced the picture book When Wishes Were Horses (Houghton Mifflin, 2002). The Council of Wisconsin Writers honored it with a picture book award. Kidding Around Milwaukee (John Muir, 1997) is the nonfiction addition to Ms. Addy’s book credits.

Her work for children has also appeared in Cricket, Highlights for Children, Ladybug, The Friend, Winner, Hopscotch, Boys’ Quest, Pockets, Shine Brightly, and other magazines.

Combining her writing background with her teaching experience, Ms. Addy leads story-writing workshops for elementary and middle school students. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

Linda Aksomitis

A two-time winner of the Saskatchewan Writer’s Guild Writing for Children awards and a recipient of the Sime-Gen Editor’s nomination for her picture book, A Gopher Gulch Red Riding Hood (Saxco, 2000), Linda Aksomitis is both a storyteller and a writer.

Her book credits include the middle-grade historical novel, Adeline’s Dream (Coteau Books, 2005), and a YA novel, Snowmobile Challenge (Writer’s Exchange E-Publishing, 2004), a finalist in the 2003 Saskatchewan Book Awards for best children’s book of the year. A snowmobile enthusiast, she has also written two nonfiction books about the sport: Snowmobile Adventures (2003) and The Illustrated Guide to Snowmobile Racing (2006).

Ms. Aksomitis also has more than 500 articles for children and adults to her credit. Her work has appeared in Wee Ones magazine, Guideposts for Kids, SnowRider Magazine, Canadian Materials Magazine, Abilities Magazine, The Appaloosa Journal, Historic Traveler, and numerous other publications, both print and electronic.

In addition to writing, Ms. Aksomitis has been the Children’s Acquisitions Editor for an e-publishing company. She is currently the Managing Editor for the online snowmobile magazine, SnowRider.

“My instructor treated me as an individual, never a number. Her letters left me refreshed, reassured, and remotivated. She was my constant source of inspiration. I was very fortunate to have her as my guide.”

—Miriam Towers, Washington, DC

Jessica Lee Anderson

Winner of the 2005 Milkweed Prize for Children’s Fiction, Jessica Lee Anderson’s middle-grade novel, Trudy (Milkweed Editions, 2005), made a splash onto the children’s book scene.

According to a ByLine review, Trudy fulfills Milkweed’s mission to publish literature that “conveys the essential experiences of the human heart and spirit.” Based on Ms. Anderson’s own experience of having a grandmother diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, this touching story offers inspiration for young people everywhere.

Ms. Anderson also has several short stories and articles to her credit, including “Miracle on Stone Street,” featured in Mistletoe Madness, a holiday anthology published by Blooming Tree Press in 2004. Her first nonfiction sale was to Highlights for Children, followed by “Recycle Your Napkin into a Blooming Blossom” in Wee Ones magazine.

Ms. Anderson earned a Master of Arts in Children’s Literature from Hollins University and studied at the Children’s Literature International Summer School held at Roehampton University in London. In 2002, she received the Shirley Henn Memorial Award for Creative Scholarship.

Marilyn D. Anderson

In 1982, a relative whose book had just been published encouraged Marilyn Anderson to write a book about horses. The result was To Teach a Horse to Dance.

Her manuscript, crafted with the help of Lee Wyndham’s Writing for Children and Teenagers (which she bought at a rummage sale), was not accepted, but the publisher offered her $1,000 to write a manual about the care of horses. The Horse Lover’s Handbook became her first published book.

Ms. Anderson has since published 17 books, including the very successful Hot Fudge Pickles, The Bubble Gum Monster, and The Bridesmaid Wore Track Shoes, all published by Willowisp Press. She also writes nonfiction books and articles, and visits schools to share her love and knowledge of writing with children.

Miriam Bat-Ami

“Poignant, passionate, and bittersweet . . . a moving reminder of the power of first love,” said The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books in its starred review of Dr. Miriam Bat-Ami’s young adult novel Two Suns in the Sky (Front Street/Cricket Books 1999, reprinted hardbound by Cricket Books, and Puffin paperback, 2001). The Denver Post called what was to become the Scott O’Dell award winner for 2000 and an ALA Best Book for Young Adults “a riveting and lyrical story . . . Remarkably evocative.”

Dr. Bat-Ami’s picture book, Sea, Salt, and Air, written in poetic prose (Macmillan, 1993), was given a Booklist boxed review and cited as being “a complex story . . . best appreciated by older children.”

Her pre-adolescent novel, When the Frost Is Gone (Macmillan, 1994), was praised for its realism and cited by Publishers Weekly as being “a novella of hard truths and tough times, offering a portrait of urban life in all of its colors.”

Published a year later, Dear Elijah (Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 1995/The Jewish Publication Society, 1997) was an American Booksellers Association 1995 Pick of the List. Dear Elijah was placed on the Bookshelf of the New York Times Book Review and cited by the Jewish World News as a book whose “theme is unique” yet universal.

Dr. Bat-Ami has continued publishing with the Cricket Magazine Group by writing poetry and short stories for Cicada. One of her young adult short stories, “All Because of the Pines” (Cicada, July/August 1999), was chosen as a finalist for the Distinguished Achievement Award by the Association of Educational Publishers.

Bonny Becker

“Captivating . . . outrageous and hilarious” was the verdict of the New York Times in a rave review of Bonny Becker’s picture book, The Christmas Crocodile (Simon & Schuster, 1998), illustrated by Caldecott award-winning artist David Small.

Ms. Becker’s first picture book, The Quiet Way Home (Henry Holt, 1996), was chosen for inclusion in a literature-based study program featuring top-quality children’s books. Tickly Prickly (HarperCollins, 1999) was selected for the Children’s Book of the Month Club. Her first middle-grade novel, My Brother the Robot (Dutton, 2001), was a Junior Library Guild selection.

Ms. Becker was selected to receive a Barbara Karlin Grant for a work in progress from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Other honors for Ms. Becker include First Place, Short Story Category, Pacific Northwest Writers Conference; and the Joseph Jackson Award (literary award), San Francisco Foundation.

Pamela Holtz Beres

Pamela Holtz Beres graduated from the Institute’s course, Writing for Children and Teenagers, in 1989.

Her first sale to Pockets magazine, “Joey’s Almost Good-For-Nothing Day,” was published in August 1990. That story was originally written as a course assignment, as was her second sale, “Telescape,” published by Guide in September 1990.

Since then, her work has appeared in My Friend, Children’s Digest, Jack And Jill, On the Line, Partners, Junior Trails, and Wee Wisdom.

In 1999, Ms. Beres won the Pockets fiction-writing contest. Several of her stories were named top-ten finalists in Pockets contests of previous years.

In addition to her work for children, Ms. Beres writes feature articles for Lutheran Parent magazine. She has also written short scripts for radio, and articles for a variety of other publications.

Eileen Dunn Bertanzetti

“Writing has brought joy to my life,” says Eileen Dunn Bertanzetti. “It’s also brought its share of hard work; but there’s little else—besides my family and my students—that I find as rewarding as the entire process of writing and rewriting.”

Ms. Bertanzetti’s more than 150 articles and stories have appeared in such publications as My Friend, Our Little Friend, Our Sunday Visitor, Family Digest, Children’s Writer, and On the Line.

“The process of writing articles can be therapeutic for you, the writer,” she says. “If you’ve been through some life event that’s challenged you, or if you know a family member, neighbor, friend, or local ‘celebrity’ who’s had an out-of-the-ordinary and/or intriguing experience, you’ll find good material there to draw on for an article. And keep in mind that photographs, sidebars, quotes, and anecdotes can help sell your articles.”

In addition to her articles, Ms. Bertanzetti has sold five books to publishers. Her credits include Rich in Love: The Story of Padre Pio Pietrelcina (Pauline Books & Media, 1999), a biography for young adults; and Poor Pio (Hard Shell, 2006), a biography aimed at three- to eight-year-olds.

Her biography for middle-graders, Molly Pitcher: Heroine, a Revolutionary War book, was published by Chelsea House.

More on Eileen Dunn Bertanzetti’s books

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Idella Bodie

“This lady knows how to get and keep a reader’s attention,” proclaimed the Marietta (GA) Daily Journal in its praise of Idella Bodie’s first book, The Secret of Telfair Inn (1971).

“Her characters are as real and believable as the kids next door—and just as prone to get into unusual situations. . .. If you’re weary of books that have no more substance than chewing gum and your children are leery of ‘educational’ books that preach and drag drearily to a predictable conclusion, sample one of Ms. Bodie’s books,” the Journal wrote.

Five other books that followed were also a blend of history and fiction: Mystery of the Pirate’s Treasure (1973); Ghost in the Capitol (1976); Stranded! (1984); Trouble at Star Fort (1992); and Mystery of Edisto Island (1994), all published by Sandlapper Publishing, Inc.

Ms. Bodie’s biographies include South Carolina Women (Sandlapper, 1978, rev.1991) and A Hunt for Life’s Extras, The Story of Archibald Rutledge, South Carolina’s First Poet Laureate (Sandlapper,1980; iuniverse.com, 2000).

Carolina Girl (Sandlapper, 1998) is a memoir of growing up during the Depression and World War II. Ghost Tales for Retelling (Sandlapper, 1994) includes 27 scary stories and hints for effective storytelling.

The winner of the Guideposts Writer’s Workshop in 1980, Ms. Bodie is a frequent contributor to that magazine and to Mature Living. She is listed in Gale’s Something About the Author (volumes 12 and 89), which can be found in the research section of public libraries.

Fred Bortz

School Library Journal called Fred Bortz’s book, Catastrophe! Great Engineering Failure—and Success (W. H. Freeman & Co. Scientific American Books for Young Readers, 1995), a “fascinating, thought-provoking book . . . [that] reads like an adventure story from the first to the last page.” A joint committee of the National Science Teachers Association and the Children’s Book Council designated Catastrophe! a Selector’s Choice on the list of Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children for 1996.

Dr. Bortz’s first book, Superstuff! (1990), was followed two years later by Mind Tools (1992). Then came Catastrophe!, To the Young Scientist (1997), Martian Fossils on Earth? (1997), Dr. Fred’s Weather Watch (2000), Collision Course! (2001), and Techno-Matter (2001), for which he was awarded the prestigious American Institute of Physics Science Writing Award.

Dr. Bortz’s first series, the six-volume Library of Subatomic Particles, appeared in 2004. Since then, he has moved to scientific biographies and histories for middle-grade and young adult readers.

Judy Bradbury

“This is a good picture book . . . with instructions for the child to find all sorts of things and count them,” said the Philadelphia Inquirer about One Carton of Oops!, the first book in the Christopher Counts series written by Judy Bradbury and published by McGraw-Hill/Learning Triangle Press.

These full-color, humorous books for ages 4–7 feature endearing, hapless Christopher and teach basic math concepts both through the story and through “minds on” activities embedded in the illustrations. Titles in the Christopher Counts series are: One Carton of Oops! (1997), Double Bubble Trouble! (1998), A High-Fiving Gift for Mom (1998), and Doggone Lemonade Stand! (1998).

Ms. Bradbury is also the author of a four-book series entitled Children’s Book Corner: A Read-Aloud Resource with Tips, Techniques, and Plans for Teachers, Librarians, and Parents published by Libraries Unlimited.

Ms. Bradbury has also published articles in professional publications for teachers, parent magazines, and local newspapers, including Baby Talk, Lollipops, Western New York Family, and the Buffalo News. She was previously a children’s book review columnist for Mother Connection.

Judy Bradbury maintains active membership in the International Reading Association, the Niagara Frontier Reading Council, and the Western New York Whole Language Consortium. She is also a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and the Association of Professional Women Writers.

Linda Crotta Brennan

Linda Crotta Brennan gained insight into children’s imaginations through her own rich childhood and later training. She earned her degrees in college and graduate school in child development and early childhood education.

Ms. Brennan has been published in Highlights for Children, Cricket, Ladybug, Turtle, Humpty Dumpty’s Magazine, My Friend, and Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company’s On My Own anthology. A story Ms. Brennan sold to Highlights, “The Dream Violin,” became the title story in a paperback anthology put out by Boyds Mills Press.

Her first picture book manuscript, Flannel Kisses, was followed by a sequel, Marshmallow Kisses (Houghton Mifflin, 2000), which won the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award.

Her other titles include The Black Regiment of the American Revolution (Moon Mountain Publishing, 2004) and North Carolina (Scholastic, 2003).

Ms. Brennan was a recipient of the Highlights for Children Foundation’s Eve Bunting Scholarship to the Chautauqua Workshop, and she has served as a Regional Advisor for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

Patricia Calvert

Patricia Calvert’s first novel, The Snowbird (Scribner, 1980), was a success by any measure.

The book won three awards: Best Book award from the American Library Association; the juvenile fiction award from the Society of Midland Authors; and the juvenile award from the Friends of American Writers. The YWCA selected The Snowbird for its Outstanding Achievement in the Arts award.

Yesterday’s Daughter (Scribner, 1986) was a Junior Literary Guild selection, and Stranger, You and I (Scribner, 1987) was a special selection for reluctant readers by YASD. Bigger (Atheneum, 1994) was a nominee for the Mark Twain Award and Glennis, Before and After (Atheneum, 1996) won the Christopher Award.

Ms. Calvert later turned her attention to nonfiction, with the publication of The American Frontier (Atheneum, 1997). She has published more than 100 short stories and articles in Highlights for Children, Jack And Jill, Junior Life, The Friend, and more.

Lorri Cardwell-Casey

A former student of the Institute, Lorri Cardwell-Casey has more than 450 works of nonfiction, fiction, and poetry to her credit.

Her writing career began with an impressive first sale to Highlights for Children. Since then, her nonfiction works have appeared in Guideposts for Kids, Family Circle, ParentLife, Woman’s Day, Writer’s Digest, ByLine, Freelance Writer’s Report, and more.

Ms. Cardwell-Casey also enjoys writing humorous fiction and poetry. Her children’s fiction has been published in Humpty Dumpty, Turtle Magazine for Preschoolers, and Young Equestrian; poetry credits include Capper’s and the Christian Science Monitor. She is a recipient of the Arkansas Poetry Award, and her poetry was published in an anthology called Sisters (Anderie Poetry Press, 1994).

A member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), Ms. Cardwell-Casey coordinated the Northwest Arkansas SCBWI critique group for ten years, and later established a similar group in southeastern Michigan. She is also a member of the Authors Guild and the Missouri Authors Guild.

“My instructor is the perfect role model. She responds to me on a personal level, not just about my writing, but also about the business of writing and my goals. I wouldn’t want any other instructor.”

—Katherine T. Mohan, Haymarket, VA

Virginia Castleman

“My daughter was intrigued by the Mommi Watta character, because she was not entirely good or entirely bad. This kind of subtlety is refreshing in a children’s book,” says Parenting Magazine of Virginia Castleman’s book Mommi Watta—Spirit of the River (Flatland Tales Publishing, 1996).

Ms. Castleman’s other books, A Pile of Pups and Sky High (Hearth-Song, 2000), have also received high praise. The nonfiction addition to her book credits is Erosion (Perfection Learning, 2005).

Virginia Castleman’s writing career began with articles for various newspapers and newsletters and “grew” into books and magazine stories. Her retold tale, “Rabbit and Tiger,” appeared in Highlights for Children (May, 1999). Reprints of her story have been sold to Instructivision, Inc., and Harcourt School Publishers. Her novel, Strays, was a finalist for the Nevada Arts Council Fellowship Award, and winner of the Floyd Salas Fiction Writer’s Award.

Currently, Ms. Castleman is an Associate Editor and freelance writer for Northern Nevada Family Magazine, a parenting publication. She also teaches writing through the University of Nevada (Reno).

Clara Gillow Clark

“This fine historical novel, set in the late 1880s, dramatizes the hardship among the laboring Irish . . . What is moving here is Nellie’s rebellion, her yearning for independence,” wrote Booklist of Clara Gillow Clark’s young adult novel, Nellie Bishop (Boyds Mills Press, 1996).

Nellie Bishop was selected as an ABA Pick of the Lists, and chosen as an Honor Book by the Society of School Librarians International. The journals, drafts, and original manuscript for the book are now part of the Kerlan Collection (Children’s Literature Research Collection) at the University of Minnesota.

Willie and the Rattlesnake King (Boyds Mills Press, 1997) was selected for the Young Adult Choice Award in 1999 by the International Reading Association.

Ms. Clark was honored by Highlights for Children (March 2000) for a story written about her own childhood. She also received an award from Childfirst Services, Inc. for her novels Nellie Bishop and Willie and the Rattlesnake King.

Michael L. Cooper

“[Michael L.] Cooper has a straightforward, empathetic style that seems ideal for young readers,” said the Washington Post Book World about Mr. Cooper’s book, Indian School: Learning the White Man’s Way (Clarion, 1999).

Book World also wrote, “A talented and able historian, Cooper effectively uses the students’ own words and remarkable period photographs to convey the cultural deprivation, loneliness, and abuse that Indian students frequently endured.”

A full-time writer for the past fifteen years, Mr. Cooper’s most recent books are Dust to Eat: Drought and Depression in the 1930s (Clarion, 2004); Remembering Manzanar: Life in a Japanese American Relocation Camp (Clarion, 2002); and Slave Spirituals (Clarion, 2001).

Horn Book magazine described Mr. Cooper’s Fighting for Honor: Japanese Americans and World War II (Clarion, 2000) as “a vivid account . . . Cooper’s awareness of the power of understatement permeates the book, rendering the facts all the more powerful.”

Many of Mr. Cooper’s books have been honored by starred reviews in School Library Journal and Kirkus.

They also have been selected for several prestigious lists, including the American Library Association’s list of ALA Notables; the ALA’s Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) Nonfiction Honor list; the National Council of Social Studies/Children’s Book Council’s list of Notable Children’s Books in the Field of Social Studies; the International Reading Association’s 25 Notable Books for a Global Society; and the New York Public Library’s 100 Best Books for the Teen Age.