Today is 3/14, and you know what THAT means! it's PI DAY! And I've got all sorts of Pi Day activities archived on this blog - which is why I'm not writing another pi day post (though I will, in all likelihood, make a pizza. Pi day things to do here and here and here and here and here.
The other reason I'm not writing about pi (or pies) is because I'm turning my blog over to the delightful Laura Perdew for the day...... and here's Laura!
My journey to becoming an author who often writes STEM books about nature, the environment, and environmental issues seemed destined from the time I was a kid. I always loved to write, to create both fictional stories about imaginary places and reports on conservation. And I always loved to be outdoors. I was the kid with scraped-up knees and muddy shoes. I was the one who would turn over a rock just to see what was under it. And I was also the one who would run outside if I heard a flock of geese honking, just to watch them pass overhead.
Okay, that’s still me.
And that’s what I love about my work – I get to combine my love of nature with my love of writing. Writing nature-related books is also a way for me to share this passion with young readers while simultaneously exploring and learning. I never tire of the research that goes into my books and I’m always discovering something new.
The natural world is a complex and beautiful place. At every turn (and under every rock!) there’s something amazing, but so often these wonders get overlooked in favor of busy lives and screens. Through books I hope to immerse readers in nature and foster a sense of wonder. I want to spark curiosity. I want to bring to their attention things that deserve our awe and respect.
I also know that our planet is in trouble. It’s at this point that I find myself quoting Dr. Seuss. “Unless,” he wrote in The Lorax in 1971, “unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better, it’s not.” Whenever I read that, I want to yell, “I care!” I want everyone to know and understand what is going on. And I want everyone to care. Because there IS room for hope. So one book at a time, I try to engage kids in the wonders of the natural world, so they know and understand it, and come to care about our planet. And maybe, just maybe, some will be inspired to make a difference.
Thank you for joining us today, Laura. A couple years ago I reviewed Laura's picture book series about Animal Adaptations and her book about Biodiversity for older readers. This summer she's got another picture book series coming out - this one about different biomes. I can't wait to see them! You can visit Laura's website here.
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