Welcome to SCBWI-MI's Book Birthday Blog!
Where we celebrate new books from Michigan's authors, illustrators and translators.
Congratulations to Nancy Roop on the release of The Big Aquarium Adventure
How did you come up with the idea for your book?
I have two points of inspiration for The Big Aquarium Adventure.
I was a para-educator in a Special Education classroom for students with autism. One day, a fourth-grade student sat patiently on the floor next to my feet, leaning her arms and head on a shelf. The room was bright, and the books were of a variety of genres, reading levels, and interests. I scanned all the way to the top of the tall bookcase. I was trying to find a book at her reading level that sparked her interest. In complete frustration I thought, somebody needs to write books for neurodiverse kids. Within a few days, I decided to return to school to learn how kids learn to read. I wanted to adapt the book to the child instead of expecting the child to adapt to the book.
Then on vacation in Baltimore, Maryland, while walking though The National Aquarium, I noticed how excited and truly interested the kids were watching the marine animals. I knew right then, that visiting an aquarium would be the first topic for the Alex and Jordan Explore Series.
What is something you hope your readers will take away from your book?
My goal is for readers to become comfortable with the process of getting meaning out of the words and pictures. Many struggling readers regard books as work, and for them, it is hard work. By presenting the topic in three genres—interview, expository nonfiction, and storytelling—a student can pick the chapter that they like, and then once comfortable, read the other sections. I hope that they discover a little bit of book-joy along the way!
What inspires you to write?
I love being a substitute teacher in elementary school. When I am at school, I am fascinated with how kids learn. I like to see what kids are drawn to in books, and how they interact with them. I have been tweaking the developmental format and the students are at the center of that.
I also have an eye towards writing blogs for parents and educators of neurodiverse children. I explain how systemized supports common in special ed classrooms can help unique learners in other environments.
What are your marketing plans for the book and where can we find it?
It is available in hardcover, paperback, and eBook wherever books are sold online. Also, a spiral-bound book will be available on my website for readers that will benefit from a book that lays flat on a table. nancyroop.com/books
I have some print ads in ForeWord Review magazine, eblasts to librarians by IBPA (Independent Book Publishers Association), and a launch team made up of friends and family that will get the word out with social media and postcards.
We will have a launch event at the Great Lakes Literary Center in Pontiac, Michigan on January 27, 2024. Go to nancyroop.com for more information.
I look at the entire year of 2024 as an opportunity to approach readers in different ways—podcasts, articles, and speaking at educational conferences. The book will also travel with ForeWord Review to the Bolonga Children’s Book Fair in April 2024.
What's next for you?
I will be spending time on Alex and Jordan’s Message Board at nancyroop.com/kids. I can't wait to see what readers are asking, drawing, and writing about in their posts to the board.
I am writing and publishing more titles in the Alex and Jordan Explore series which explore the zoo, library, and museums. I am working on two other developmental book formats that are based on how-to do research and discovering various writing methods.
More about the book . . .
Early chapter book with amazing art! 5th graders Alex & Jordan, explore Stephen’s visit to The Big Aquarium. Alex questions Stephen about marine life, and how frogs helped him handle a very upsetting event. Jordan creates a nonfiction report with animal’s size, habitat, and life cycles. They write a story. Educational resource for comprehension.
Publisher: Developmental Texts
More about the author . . .
Nancy Roop promotes neurodiversity and inclusion by publishing developmental books and speaking at educational conferences—or to anyone, anywhere. She is also a favorite Substitute Teacher in local Special Ed classrooms. Roop lives with her family near Detroit, Michigan and has a BA in Integrative Studies from Oakland University. Her thesis, Developmental Texts for Students with Autism; a Safe Space in the Written World, is available at nancyroop.com.
Instagram: @Developmental_Texts
Facebook: @Developmentaltexts
Pinterest: @Developmentaltexts
LinkedIn: nancyroop
Congratulations Nancy! Your writing casts a bright light into the world. :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your book release, Nancy! It sounds like you've got a good marketing plan to promote it.
ReplyDeleteNancy, what a fantastic way to help students approach reading from their most comfortable skill sets! I love the idea, and using a series to do so gives readers confidence that they can continue to find comfortable and rewarding reading experiences that will help them build their skills.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gift you have given special education students and their parents and teachers!
ReplyDeleteMy kids and I loved the book Nancy! It's funny but it was actually recommended to me by a carpet cleaner for my son who is a struggling reader. So glad I found it and it was so fun to get to know you a little bit through this blog post.
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