Author and photo-illustrator Sarah C. Campbell shares the story behind the publication of her three award-winning picture books, Wolfsnail: A Backyard Predator (Boyds Mills Press, 2008), Growing Patterns: Fibonacci Numbers in Nature (Boyds Mills Press, 2010), and Mysterious Patterns: Finding Fractals in Nature (Boyds Mills Press, 2014). Participants get a behind-the-scenes look at creating nonfiction picture books with engaging stories and compelling images. Campbell explores using nature journaling to hone observational skills and generate ideas and questions; different methods of research; and writing exercises to promote critical thinking. Mastering reading and writing of informational texts is critical to success in the classroom and in life. In “Writing From Nature,” Campbell demonstrates that Mississippi’s natural environment offers endless opportunities for engaging in explorations that lead naturally to reading and writing. Particularly for teachers, Campbell highlights connections to state and national curriculum standards in math, science, reading, writing, art and technology.
