About/Contact
When I was offered my own plot at the local urban community garden, I thought it would be fun to invite other families to learn to grow food together. As an environmental educator, I knew that for toddlers and preschoolers, digging in the dirt and growing plants for food could plant seeds for a life-long love of exploring the wonder of nature, hands-on science inquiry, environmental stewardship and joy in healthy eating.
As we gardened, I noticed what questions children and their parents had, and how they found the answers together. I wrote the picture book How to Say Hello to A Worm: A First Guide to Outside to inspire more kids and their parents to get their hands dirty.
How to Say Hello to a Worm: A First Guide to Outside was released Feb. 22, 2022, and is now available to order from your favorite local independent bookshop.
ABOUT
When I was little, I thought that the best pages of any coloring book were the blank endpapers. There, I could draw whatever stories I dreamed up. When I got bigger, I studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. The woodcut printmaking I studied there drives my illustration style.
After earning my Master’s in Environmental Science and Science Teaching at Antioch New England Graduate School, I taught science in public schools for several years. I am writing and illustrating books on science inquiry, nature, how children can get involved in citizen science, and picture book biographies of activists and scientists. 
I also lead workshops making masks and banners for parades with Wonderland Spectacle Company, I lead the Early Birds’ Garden Club for pre-schoolers at the community garden, and lots of other stuff. I live with my husband and two children, close enough to the subway to get around Boston, but also close enough to a giant waterfall to visit often for inspiration.
And my heart still skips a beat when I see a blank page for drawing on.
CONTACT
Teresa Kietlinski at Bookmark Literary represents my work in children’s books. Editors and art directors can contact Teresa at: teresa(at)bookmarkliterary.com
PRESS
”A great guide to growing young gardeners!” 4/2022 Kirkus Review
“Once you read this book you will get your hands dirty” 4/2022 Shameer Reads: The Reading and Writing Teacher
“Wonder and delight are in joyful evidence,” 2/2022 Boston Globe Arts New England Literary News
”Sparkling debut” 12/2021 Publishers Weekly Children’s Bookshelf starred review
2/2022 Publishers Weekly New and Noteworthy Kids’ and YA Books: February 2022
4/2022 Common Thread Antioch University News
3/2022 Pragmatic Mom: Picture Books on Growing a Garden
INTERVIEWS
1/2022 Blue and Gold Author Interview
6/2022 KidLit Connection: Getting to Know Author-Illustrator, Kari Percival
AWARDS
2019 NESCBWI R. Michelson Emerging Artist Award
2019 NESCBWI Peter Davis Emerging Illustrator Scholarship
2017 NESCBWI Four by Four Mentorship Program, Mentee with Author Illustrator Ashley Wolff
CLIENTS
Back Yard Growers, Gloucester, MA
Central New England Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
Fox Festival, Arlington Public Art, MA
HONK! Festival of Activist Street Bands, Somerville, MA
AS220 Foo Fest, Providence, RI
Somerville Arts Council, Somerville, MA
Photos: Greg Cook