A Thousand White Butterflies goes to VAV camp!
A fun, creative, energetic day at camp in Pittsburgh. These kids are awesome! What to do on a hot summer day? Design a snow person from your culture. What's their story? Add a few butterflies. READ and Enjoy.
Spirit of the Cheetah Wins
Published in 2021, Coauthored with Khadra Mohammed. The Spirit of the Cheetah won a silver medal at the 2022 Midwest Book Awards! See it here: https://mipa.org/midwest-book-awards/2022-winners/ And see what one little book can inspire! Which endangered species will you work to save?
A Song for Galimoto
This little book just keeps making friends and inspiring readers. See what one reader has to say: Dear Karen, My name is Benjamin. I realize that this may be somewhat out of the ordinary, but I felt inspired this evening to contact you to share this song I wrote many years ago that was inspired by your book about Galimoto that I read during my childhood. It felt right and appropriate to inform you, the author that this bit of art was out in the world, inspired by your work and how it [...]
Look what is Featured at Politics and Prose!
It' a great beach read! Check out the You Tube reading here. https://mailchi.mp/politics-prose/a-story-time-update-pthn91koty-743588?e=292737e031 Copy and paste into your browser. Enjoy! Then peruse the other recommend books. Enjoy a beach day this summer. Right from your own home.
A Thousand White Butterflies and Spirit of the Cheetah in Pittsburgh!
The first Pittsburgh Festival of Books was a grand success. The predicted rain did not arrive until late in the day and attendees enjoyed sunny skies for readings, story telling, poetry and all things books. Jessica Betancourt Perez, coauthor of A Thousand White Butterflies, joined me from York, PA. She shared her experiences as an immigrant coming to the US from Colombia and read our book to the audience. Jessica's son Caleb modeled the traditional Colombian Sombrero and poncho for us. I shared Spirit of The Cheetah (coauthor Khadra Mohammed) with the audience. Kids and [...]
Honored to have TWO books Chosen Best Books of the Year 2022
Bank Street College In choosing books for the annual list, reviewers consider literary quality and excellence of presentation as well as the potential emotional impact of the books on young readers. Other criteria include credibility of characterization and plot, authenticity of time and place, age suitability, positive treatment of ethnic and religious differences, and the absence of stereotypes. Each book accepted for the list is read and reviewed [...]