Linda Glaser has been writing ever since she learned to read—which wasn't until third grade. She sometimes feared she'd never get the hang of reading. In second grade, she was placed in the "slow reading group." It was not called the Bluebirds or the Robins. It was called "The Slow Reading Group." She was a "slow reader." And, actually, she still is. She is still catching up reading all the children's books that she had a hard time reading when she was a child. And she loves it!

As soon as she learned to read, Linda discovered that she could use those same skills to write down whatever came into her head. She immediately loved writing. And she still does. Starting in about third grade, she dreamed of becoming a children's book writer.

In 1978 she took her first Writing Children's Literature class through Adult Education. For the next twelve years, she wrote many stories and received just as many rejections. Finally, in 1990, her easy reader Keep Your Socks on Albert! was accepted for publication. It took another year of revisions before it was actually published. Though she continues to receive rejections, happily, she now also receives acceptances.

In addition to writing, Linda Glaser does author presentations in schools; speaks at conferences and conventions; leads writing workshops for people of all ages; and is an REA writing consultant. She particularly enjoys sharing writing games and activities with educators to help them make writing more fun for their students.

Random facts...

Most welcoming, treat-you-like-royalty, school district that she's had the pleasure of visiting? Faribault, Minnesota.

The most rejections she's gotten for any story? About 25 for Keep Your Socks On Albert!

The farthest conference she's presented at? An SCBWI conference in Fairbanks, Alaska.

The most unusual and gratifying teaching she's done recently? Memoir Writing Workshops for incarcerated teens.             .

The most relaxing classes she leads? Journal and Memoir Writing Workshops at McCabe Renewal Center in Duluth.

The best audience she's had thus far? Minnesota Spotlight on Books (teachers and librarians—of course!)

Dazzling Dragonflies: a life cycle story
illustrated by Mia Posada
Millbrook Press, 2008
agest 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0-8225-6753-0

Watch a dragonfly nymph grow as she sheds her skin—again and again. Then soar with her through the sunlight as she tries out her beautiful new wings.

Hello, Squirrels!
illustrated by Gay W. Holland
Millbrook Press, 2006
ISBN 978-0-7613-2887-2

Scamper alongside gray squirrels as throughout the seasons of the year—as helpless newborns in the spring, as playful youngsters in the summer, as busy gatherers in the autumn, and as sleepy homebodies in the winter.

Awards
Bank Street Best Children's Books of the Year

Bridge to America
Houghton Mifflin, 2005
ages 9 to 12, ISBN 978-0-618-56301-2

The year is 1920 and the setting is a shtetl, a small village in northern Poland, where Fivel and his family live in fear of the ruthless Cossacks and unpredictable pogroms. As he and his mother, brother, and sisters struggle to stay alive, nine-year-old Fivel is hungry, is cold, is a rascal, is goodhearted, longs for his father, and is afraid for their lives. Will the money from America ever come? Has their father forgotten about them, perhaps even found another family? When will the next horrific Cossack raid come?

Here is an absorbing, ultimately hopeful novel that creates an unforgettable portrait of a family, a time, and the bridging of two worlds.

Awards
2007 Jeanette Fair Award, Delta Kappa Gamma MN; 2005 Minnesota Book Award finalist; Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year; Sydney Taylor Notable; nominated for Maryland's Black Eyed Susan Award

Mrs. Greenberg's Messy Hanukkah
Albert Whitman, 2004
all ages, ISBN 978-0-8075-5297-1 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-0-8075-5298-8 (paperback)

Rachel and Mrs. Greenberg, who star in The Borrowed Hanukkah Latkes, are back! At Rachel's house, there won't be any potato latkes or company until the last night of Hanukkah. But Rachel wants the first night to really feel like Hanukkah. She heads next door to her neighbor Mrs. Greenberg's house where it all looks so clean like it's just waiting for company and everything sparkles, even the floor.

Rachel talks Mrs. Greenberg into making latkes. But with each new ingredient, something new lands on the floor. "Oops!" says Rachel. "Oy!" says Mrs. Greenberg. As the mess gets worse, it seems like Rachel may upset Mama and Papa and also lose her friendship with Mrs. Greenberg.

But in the end, Rachel and Mrs. Greenberg's friendship survives, the kitchen gets cleaned up, and they all share latkes together. So it really feels like Hanukkah.

Rachel thanks Mrs. Greenberg. But Mrs. Greenberg says, "Don't thank me, thank you. I've got latkes and company."

Awards
Sydney Taylor Notable Book

Brilliant Bees
illustrated by Gay Holland
Millbrook Press, 2003
ISBN 978-0-7613-2670-0 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-0-7613-1943-6 (paperback)

Simple text and illustrations describe the physical characteristics, habits, and life cycle of the honey bee.

Awards
NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book

Korean edition available

It's Summer!
illustrated by Susan Swan
Millbrook Press, 2003
ISBN 978-0-7613-1757-9 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-0-7613-1735-7 (paperback)

A child observes the coming of summer and its effects on the weather, animals, and plants. Includes suggestions for summertime activities to enjoy alone or with a parent.

Chinese edition available

It's Spring!
illustrated by Susan Swan
Millbrook Press, 2002
ISBN 978-0-7613-1757-9 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-0-7613-1735-7 (paperback)

A child observes the arrival of spring and its effects on plants and animals. Includes suggestions for nature study projects.

Chinese edition available

It's Winter
illustrated by Susan Swan
Millbrook Press, 2002
ISBN 978-0-7613-1759-3 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-0-7613-1680-0 (paperback)

A child observes the coming of winter and its effects on the weather, animals, and plants. Includes suggestions for wintertime activities.

Chinese edition available

It's Fall!
illustrated by Susan Swan
Millbrook Press, 2002
ISBN 978-0-7613-1758-6 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-0-7613-1342-7 (paperback)

Reading Guide available from Minnesota Storytime

A child experiences the colors and textures of fall. Includes nature activities to do during that season.

Chinese edition available

Our Big Home: an Earth Poem
illustrated by Elisa Kleven
Millbrook Press, 2002
ISBN 978-0-7613-1650-3 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-0-7613-1776-0 (paperback)

Reading Guide available from Minnesota Storytime

A beautifully illustrated celebration of the air and water and soil and sky and sun and rain that we all share! Long-time Millbrook favorite Linda Glaser teams with best-selling illustrator Elisa Kleven in this clear and direct concept book about the coexistence of human beings with other living things in this big home we call Earth.

Our Big Home: an Earth Poem is a Reading Rainbow selection. Reading Rainbow created four shows after 9/11 as an "arc of healing." Our Big Home was featured on their "Global Unity" show. The Our Big Home Reading Rainbow show premiered at the United Nations on International Literacy Day. Linda Glaser (author) and Elisa Kleven (illustrator) signed books at the United Nations that day and both received a hug from LeVar Burton. Our Big Home is also a NSTA Outstanding Science Trade book.  It was featured in a Japanese children's magazine. The cover illustration of Our Big Home was used on a UNICEF card. That card was selected as Kofe Annan's personal greeting card.

Japanese edition available

The Borrowed Hannukah Latkes
illustrated by Nancy Cote
Albert Whitman, 2001
ISBN paper 978-0-8075-0841-1 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-0-8075-0842-8 (paperback)

Reading Guide available from Minnesota Storytime

"Soon all the relatives will be at Rachel's house for the last night of Hanukkah.

"Rachel's elderly next door neighbor Mrs. Greenberg has also been invited. However, although she's all alone, she has declined the invitation.

"She doesn't want to be a bother to Mama. But when Mama needs more potatoes, and then more eggs to make the latkes, Rachel dashes over to Mrs. Greenberg's house to borrow them. Meanwhile, she tries to convince Mrs. Greenberg join them for Hanukkah. Each time, Mrs. Greenberg gladly gives Rachel the needed ingredient saying, 'Don't borrow. I don't want it back. Just eat it in good health.'

"But she still won't join the celebration. As Mama says, 'She has a heart of gold but she's as stubborn as an ox.' Finally, when Rachel needs to borrow some chairs, she finds a clever and delightful way to include Mrs. Greenberg in the festivities."

Awards
Smithsonian Magazine Book of the Year; Florida State Book of the Year finalist

Fabulous Frogs
illustrated by Loretta Krupinski
Millbrook Press, 2000
ISBN 978-0-7613-0424-1 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-0-7613-0448-7 (paperback)

Simple text and illustrations present the physical characteristics, habits, and life cycle of the frog. Includes a separate question-and-answer section with more information about the different kinds, their way of life, and endangered status.

Magnificent Monarchs
illustrated by Gay Holland
Millbrook Press, 2000
ISBN 978-0-7613-1700-5 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-0-7613-1636-7 (paperback)

This title contains colorful, realistic illustrations that keep step with the simple, sometimes rhyming text. Three pages of more detailed data about monarchs and their complex lives, the addresses of butterfly societies, and a list of Web sites to explore are included.

Spectacular Spiders
illustrated by Gay Holland
Millbrook Press, 1998
ISBN 978-0-7613-0353-4 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-0-7613-0386-2 (paperback)

Describes, in simple text and illustrations, the physical characteristics, habits, and natural environment of the black and yellow garden spider. Also includes information on some other types of spiders.

Awards
NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book

Translated into Korean

Beautiful Bats
illustrated by Sharon Lynn Holm
Millbrook Press, 1997
ISBN 978-0-7613-0254-4 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-0-7613-0340-4 (paperback)

Simple text and illustrations describe the habits and characteristics of bats.

Compost!
illustrated by Anca Hariton
Millbrook Press, 1996
ISBN paper 978-0-7613-0030-4

Aimed at the very young child, this picture book describes what composting is, what it does, and how to go about it.

Awards
NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book

Rosie's Birthday Rat
illustrated by Nancy Poydar
Bantam Doubleday Dell, 1996
out of print (may be purchased from the author)

Rosie's mother reluctantly agrees to get her a rat for her birthday, but it takes Rosie a while to convince her mother that she made the right decision.

Wonderful Worms
illustrated by Loretta Krupinski
Millbrook Press, 1994
ISBN 978-1-56294-062-1 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-1-56294-730-9 (paperback)

Describes the physical characteristics, behavior, and life cycle of the common earthworm.

Awards
NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book; selected by Houghton Mifflin and Harcourt Brace for primary reading packages

Tanya's Big Green Dream
Illustrated by Susan McGinnis
Macmillan, 1994
out of print (may be purchased from the author)

After Tanya decides to plant a tree for her Earth Day project, her only problems are getting the money to buy it and finding a place to put it.

Awards
Simon & Schuster High Five reading package selection

Stop That Garbage Truck!
illustrated by Karen Lee Schmidt
Albert Whitman, 1993
out of print (may be purchased from the author)

Shy Henry eagerly waits to see his "buddy" on the garbage truck every time it comes—and finally manages to speak on a day when there is a small emergency.

Keep Your Socks On, Albert
illlustrated by Sally Ward
Dutton, 1992
out of print (may be purchased from the author)

Adventures of a young brother and sister who enjoy each other but can't resist teasing.