The long-standing series “The Author and You” has helped countless educators explore the deeper intentions behind children’s literature. While the original strategy encourages students to infer meaning from an author’s words, this series goes a step further—helping teachers and school librarians uncover the creative purpose and personal voice behind each author’s work.
The first volume in the series highlighted the life and work of Gerald McDermott. The book (now out-of-print) offers an inside look at McDermott’s process—from researching folklore to crafting vivid illustrations—and includes targeted lesson plans for titles such as Anansi, Arrow to the Sun, Raven, Creation, and other classroom favorites. It also features guidance on supporting early literacy and visual comprehension.
Developed for use with books geared toward children in grades K–6, each volume offers insight into an author’s background, writing goals, and artistic approach. These books provide educators with a broad overview of the author’s complete body of work, enabling more meaningful and cohesive instruction.
Every book in the series is either written by the author or created with their direct involvement. This ensures that the voice remains authentic and the teaching tools reflect the spirit of the author’s intent—giving educators a reliable foundation for literary exploration.
For use with grades K–6.
