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MarionDane Bauer

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Marion Dane Bauer is the author of more than seventy books for young people from novelty books, picture books and early readers through writing guides and novels. She has won numerous awards, including a Jane Addams Peace Association Award for her novel Rain of Fire and an American Library Association Newbery Honor Award for On My Honor and the Kerlan Award from the University of Minnesota for the body of her work. Her picture book My Mother is Mine was a New York Times best seller. Marion's books have been translated into more than a dozen different languages.

Marion has long been a writing teacher as well as a writer. Her book What's Your Story? A Young Person's Guide to Writing Fiction is used by adults wanting to write for children as well as by young writers. She was the first Faculty Chair at Vermont College, developing the first Master of Fine Arts in Writing program devoted exclusively to writing for children and young adults.

Marion has two children and five grandchildren and lives in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Little Dog, Lost Little Dog, Lost
illustrated by Jennifer A. Bell
Atheneum, 2012
ages 8 and up, ISBN 978-1591932536

Mark is a boy who needs a dog. Buddy is a dog who needs a boy. Mr. LaRue is a neighbor who needs a community. Over the course of a summer thunderstorm and one chaotic town council meeting, these three characters cross paths and come together in a timeless tale ripe with emotions and told in verse that resolves with love, understanding, and a sense of belonging—plus a place to play a game of fetch!

Discussion guide

Readers Theater script

Dinosaur Thunder Dinosaur Thunder
illustrated by Margaret Chodos-Irvine
Scholastic, 2012
ages 3 and up, ISBN 978-0590452960

When lightning flares and clouds growl like lions, big brother Chad is thrilled by the coming storm. But not little Brannon. He looks for a place to hide. Each adult tries to calm Brannon in turn, by comparing the thunder to something that's not scary. But it's not until the thunder is compared to dinosaurs that Brannon loses his fear. He knows all about dinosaurs. He loves them, and always wanted to see one. Now, he finds himself comforting himself--and his big brother--as he Clomps and he Stomps and he Rages and Rumbles with with all the ferocity of Dinosaur Thunder!

The Cutest Critter The Cutest Critter
photographs by Stan Tekiela
Adventure Publications, 2010
ages baby to preschool, ISBN 978-1591932536

The dynamic duo of children's nature books is back with a third offering, and The Cutest Critter just might be their best book yet! Read along as Marion Dane Bauer delves into the question, Who is the cutest critter in the land? Stan Tekiela's real-life photographs of adorable baby animals will have children and adults oohing and ahhing with every turn of the page.

The Very Little Princess The Very Little Princess
illustrated by Elizabeth Sayles
Random House, 2010
ages 9 to 12, ISBN 978-0375856914

Regina is only 3-1/4 inches tall, but she knows from the moment she wakes up in her dollhouse bed that she is a princess. Why else would she have such a lovely pink gown? Why else would she have such golden hair and flawless skin? And why else would she have a four-foot, curly-haired human creature to wait on her? Meanwhile Zoey, that four-foot, curly-haired creature, has always dreamed that someday one of her dolls would come alive. But in her dreams, the doll never ordered her around. The doll didn’t call her a servant. And the doll was a whole lot nicer!

Martin Luther King, Jr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
illustrated by Jamie Smith
Scholastic, 2009
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0545142335

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a great man. His words changed the way people thought, and his actions spurred them on to change the world. With simple, lyrical text and bold, kid-friendly illustrations, this book introduces Dr. King to the youngest readers.

Thank You for Me! Thank You for Me!
illustrated by Kristina Stephenson
Simon and Schuster, 2010
ages baby to preschool, ISBN 978-0-689-85788-1

Thank you for hands and feet
that keep a beat,
for ears that hear,
and eyes that see.
Thank you for each bendy knee.

The Christmas Baby The Christmas Baby
illustrated by Richard Cowdrey
Simon & Schuster, 2009
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-1416978855

When a baby was born in the manger, Mary and Joseph rejoiced. The angels sang, and kings journeyed to bring gifts. When you came into the world, there was a celebration too—because every new baby is a small miracle.

The Longest Night Longest Night
illustrated by Ted Lewin
Holiday House, 2009
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0823420544

It is the longest night of the year, and the snow lies deep. All through the forest, animals long for dawn's warmth. Strong and clever creatures boast that only they can bring back the sun. But the wind knows better. The wind calls Chickadee, whose simple song wakes the sun.

Awards
Bank Street College of Education Best Books of the Year

Earthquake! Earthquake
illustrated by John Wallace
Simon & Schuster, 2009
ISBN 978-1416925514

What causes an earthquake is a mystery—until you go deep beneath the Earth's surface. Read on to find out what causes the incredibly destructive natural disaster —the earthquake!

Awards
Bank Street College of Education Best Books of the Year

One Brown Bunny One Brown Bunny
illustrated by Ivan Bates
Orchard Books, 2009
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0439680103

"One brown bunny went out one day
to find a friend who'd like to play."

Join brown bunny in search of friends in the forest. Marion Dane Bauer's charming and ryhmic text paired with Ivan Bates's bold illustrations will draw children into a wonderful world of friendship, animals, and counting.

How Do I Love You? How Do I Love You?
illustrated by Caroline Jayne Church
Cartwheel Books, 2009
ages toddler to preschool, ISBN 978-0545072700

"How do I love you? Let me count the ways.
I love you as the sun loves the bright blue days . . ."

In this board book with padded covers, a parent declares her love...as the bees love a flower, a duck loves a shower, a bird loves to sing, a bear loves the spring.

The Red Ghost The Red Ghost
illustrated by Peter Ferguson
Random House, 2008
ISBN 978-0-375-84081-4

Jenna finds the perfect gift for her sister at a neighbor's garage sale—a beautiful old doll dressed all in red velvet. Jenna can't believe her luck. Not only does Mrs. Tate seem happy to be rid of the doll, she even gives it to Jenna for free! But when Jenna takes the doll home, trouble begins. First her best friend gets a creepy feeling whenever she's around it. Then the family cat hisses at the doll, and at night, Jenna thinks she can hear it moving around in her closet. Finally, when Jenna gives the doll to her sister, she won't take it. Could the red velvet doll be haunted? And if it is, what can Jenna do?

Teaching guide

The Green Ghost The Green Ghost
illustrated by Peter Ferguson
Random House, 2008
ISBN 978-0375940835

In 1938, a girl named Lillian knows that the most beautiful pine tree in the forest is the one thing that will make her Christmas special. In 2008, Kaye’s family’s car slides off the road in a Christmas Eve blizzard and they have to seek out shelter in the snowy woods. Seventy years separate them, but Lillian and Kaye’s paths are ready to cross when Kaye looks out the car window and spots a ghostly face glowing brightly through the falling snow....

Teaching guide

Volcano! Volcano!
illustrated by John Wallace
Aladdin, 2008
ISBN 978-1416925491

Learn about the awesome and destructive powers of the volcano.

Flood!

Flood!
illustrated by John Wallace
Aladdin, 2008
ISBN 978-1416925538

Learn about the amazing devastation caused by floods.

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