Books by Kate Messner

Book SynopsisA wonderful winter book for kids from the author and illustrator of the beloved Over and Under series, now in paperback! Part of the acclaimed nature book series that includes Over and Under the Pond, Over and Under the Rainforest, and Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt, this volume takes readers on a cross country ski trip through the winter woods to discover the secret world of animals living under the snow. Over the snow, the world is hushed and white. But under the snow lies a secret world of squirrels and snow hares, bears and bullfrogs, and many other animals making their winter home under the snow. This beloved nonfiction picture book reveals the tunnels and caves formed beneath the snow but over the ground, where many kinds of animals live through the winter, safe and warm, awake and busy, but hidden beneath the snow.  ENCHANTING AND EDUCATIONAL: A charming story and beautifully rendered illustrations invite readers of all ages to explore and learn about the 'subnivean zone' (the space between the colder snow and the warmer ground) where many animals live in the winter, opening a fascinating window into the natural world. A DIFFERENT KIND OF HIBERNATION BOOK FOR KIDS: While there are many wonderful books depicting animals' preparations for winter (including, for some, a long winter's nap), Over and Under the Snow gives a unique peek into the busy daily lives of many types of forest creatures once winter is upon them. GREAT SET OF NATURE BOOKS FOR PRESCHOOL: The five-book series by author Kate Messner and illustrator Christopher Silas Neal is a wonderful addition to any classroom or home library, sure to delight curious toddlers and emerging young readers.Perfect for: Fans of the Over and Under series Kids who love winter and animals, including rabbits, squirrels, foxes, owls, frogs, and bumblebees Baby shower, birthday, and holiday gift giving and year-round reading for nature enthusiasts Readers who love The Snowy Day, The Story of Snow, A Loud Winter's Nap, and Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring Trade Review"This delightful book is much more than just a simple tale. Children will learn a huge amount about what goes on when snow falls and the life it supports." Creative Steps Winter 2011 "With stunning illustrations, this book takes a poetic look at what is happening above and below ground when a little girl goes skiing with her father...young minds will love it." Junior Book Club 01.01.12

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Book SynopsisA follow-up to OVER AND UNDER THE SNOW that explores the hidden world and many lives of a garden through the course of a year, now in paperback.

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Book SynopsisA secret underwater world brought to life: This gorgeous companion to the acclaimed Over and Under the Snow and Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt is an excellent addition to any emerging reader's collection. In Over and Under the Pond, readers will discover the plants and animals that make up the rich, interconnected ecosystem of a mountain pond. Over the pond, the water is a mirror, reflecting the sky. But under the water is a hidden world of creatures—minnows darting, beavers diving, and tadpoles growing. These secrets and many others are waiting to be discovered over and under the pond in this sweet children’s book from Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal, the latest in their beloved series that offers kids a peek into hidden ecosystems. ENTERTAINING AND EDUCATIONAL: Stunning illustrations paired with an easy-to-follow storyline make this a great read for any early elementary school student, while a glossary of animals that live in, near, and around the mountain pond enriches the reading experience. INSPIRES A LOVE A NATURE: Offering a look inside a beautiful underwater ecosystem, this gorgeously illustrated book encourages children to explore the world around them and appreciate the natural wonders they discover.   A FIVE-STAR FAVORITE OF READERS & REVIEWERS: 'Playful and lovely to read aloud. Even older budding naturalists will find something to enjoy here.'—School Library Journal; 'A contemplative journey through an ecosystem.'—USA TodayPerfect for: A great read-aloud book for home or school Parents looking for enchanting bedtime reads or nature books for kids Fans of books like A Different Pond, An Egg Is Quiet, Because of an Acorn, and Over and Under the Rainforest and others in the Over and Under series Any kid who loves picture books about science, nature, or animals    

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Book SynopsisAll it takes is one: one coral gamete to start a colony, one person to make a difference, one idea to change the world.Trade Review"Sumptuously illustrated and empathetically written ‘The Brilliant Deep’ provides a much needed prod to our consciences to save our wonderful but struggling nature." -- Picture Books Blogger"This beautifully illustrated picture book with its simple, easy to read text is amazingly informative and thought provoking" -- StorySnug"A fascinating book to read." -- Let Them Be Small

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewPraise for the History Smashers series:"Critical, respectful, engaging: exemplary history for children." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review "The book’s format may be a good match for those with shorter attention spans, and permits it to be gratifyingly capacious in what it covers." --New York Times Book Review "Well-researched, entertaining, and packed with facts." --Booklist“Messner and Meconis provide a timely perspective on an important part of American history.” —School Library Journal"A history book for middle-graders that should be on everyone's (child and adult) to-read list." --Shelf Awareness"Kate Messner serves up fun, fast history for kids who want the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Absolutely smashing!" —Candace Fleming, award-wining author"Informative and fun, eye-opening and entertaining. I wish I could have read History Smashers when I was in elementary school. I would have devoured them and developed a big appetite for even more of this sort of truth-telling." --Chris Barton, award-winning author

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Book SynopsisAward-winning duo Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal return in this latest addition to the OVER AND UNDER picture book series, this time exploring the rich, interconnected ecosystem of the ocean! Over the waves, the sea lions bark and seagulls wheel and call. The bay is smooth and bright in the sun. But under the waves, there’s a whole hidden forest, full of whales and wolf eels, sardines and sea bass, leopard sharks and luminous jellies, as well as the waving kelp that shelters them all. Discover the magical depths of the kelp forest, and all the fascinating creatures living just a paddle’s length away—over and under the waves.

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Book SynopsisFrom New York Times bestselling author Kate Messner comes a hilarious picture book in the vein of The Monster at the End of This Book about a not-so-scary kitten and a not-too-terrifying haunted house.

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Book SynopsisMyths! Lies! Secrets! Smash the stories behind famous moments in history and expose the hidden truth. Perfect for fans of I Survived and Nathan Hale''s Hazardous Tales.In 1620, the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock and made friends with Wampanoag people who gave them corn. RIGHT? WRONG! It was months before the Pilgrims met any Wampanoag people, and nobody gave anybody corn that day.Did you know that the pilgrims didn''t go straight from England to Plymouth? No, they made a stop along the way--and almost stayed forever! Did you know there was a second ship, called the Speedwell, that was too leaky to make the trip? No joke. And just wait until you learn the truth about Plymouth Rock.Through illustrations, graphic panels, photographs, sidebars, and more, acclaimed author Kate Messner smashes history by exploring the little-known details behind the legends of the Mayflower and the first Thanksgiving. Kate Messner serves up fun, fast hi

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Book SynopsisMyths! Lies! Secrets! Smash the stories behind famous moments in history and expose the hidden truth. Perfect for fans of I Survived and Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales.In 1920, Susan B. Anthony passed a law that gave voting rights to women in the United States. RIGHT?WRONG! Susan B. Anthony wasn't even alive when the Nineteenth Amendment was ratified. Plus, it takes a lot more than one person to amend the constitution.The truth is, it took millions of women to get that amendment into law. They marched! They picketed! They even went to jail. But in the end, it all came down to a letter from a state representative's mom. No joke.Through illustrations, graphic panels, photographs, sidebars, and more, acclaimed author Kate Messner smashes history by exploring the little-known details behind the fight for women's suffrage.Don't miss History Smashers: The Mayflower!

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Book SynopsisMyths! Lies! Secrets! Uncover the hidden truth behind the infamous Pearl Harbor attack with beloved educator/author Kate Messner. The fun mix of sidebars, illustrations, photos, and graphic panels make this perfect for fans of I Survived! and Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales.On December 7, 1941, the Japanese launched a completely unpredictable attack on the U.S. Navy base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Right? Well, that's not quite the real deal. Some military experts had suggested that Pearl Harbor was a likely target. There were other warning signs, too, but nobody paid much attention. From the first wave of the Japanese bombers to the United States' internment of thousands of Japanese Americans, acclaimed author Kate Messner smashes history by exploring the little-known truths behind the story of Pearl Harbor and its aftermath.Don't miss History Smashers: The Mayflower and Women's Right to Vote

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewPraise for the History Smashers series:"Critical, respectful, engaging: exemplary history for children." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review"The book’s format may be a good match for those with shorter attention spans, and permits it to be gratifyingly capacious in what it covers." —The New York Times Book Review "Well-researched, entertaining, and packed with facts." —Booklist“Messner and Meconis provide a timely perspective on an important part of American history.” —School Library Journal"A history book for middle-graders that should be on everyone's (child and adult) to-read list." —Shelf Awareness"Kate Messner serves up fun, fast history for kids who want the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Absolutely smashing!" —Candace Fleming, award-wining author"Informative and fun, eye-opening and entertaining. I wish I could have read History Smashers when I was in elementary school. I would have devoured them and developed a big appetite for even more of this sort of truth-telling." —Chris Barton, award-winning author

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Book SynopsisMyths! Lies! Secrets! Uncover the hidden truth about the Underground Railroad and Black Americans' struggle for freedom. Perfect for fans of I Survived! and Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales.Before the Civil War, there was a crack team of abolitionists who used quilts and signal lanterns to guide enslaved people to freedom. RIGHT? WRONG! The truth is, the Underground Railroad wasn't very organized, and most freedom seekers were on their own. With a mix of sidebars, illustrations, photos, and graphic panels, acclaimed author Kate Messner and coauthor and Brown Bookshelf contributor Gwendolyn Hooks deliver the whole truth about the Underground Railroad.Discover the nonfiction series that smashes everything you thought you knew about history!

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Book SynopsisMyths! Lies! Secrets! Uncover the hidden truth about the Underground Railroad and Black Americans'' struggle for freedom. Perfect for fans of I Survived! and Nathan Hale''s Hazardous Tales.Before the Civil War, there was a crack team of abolitionists who used quilts and signal lanterns to guide enslaved people to freedom. RIGHT? WRONG! The truth is, the Underground Railroad wasn''t very organized, and most freedom seekers were on their own. With a mix of sidebars, illustrations, photos, and graphic panels, acclaimed author Kate Messner and coauthor and Brown Bookshelf contributor Gwendolyn Hooks deliver the whole truth about the Underground Railroad.Discover the nonfiction series that smashes everything you thought you knew about history!

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Book SynopsisMyths! Lies! Secrets! Uncover the hidden truth about Christopher Columbus, and learn all about the Taino people. Perfect for fans of the I Survived books and Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales.In 1492, Christopher Columbus sailed across the ocean and discovered America. Right? WRONG! Columbus never actually set foot in what is now the United States. His voyages took him to islands in the Caribbean and along the coast of South America. The truth is, when Columbus first arrived, Indigenous peoples, including the Taino, had been living there for thousands of years, raising their families, running their societies, and trading with their neighbors. He didn’t “discover” the lands at all! And his name? Not even really Christopher Columbus! Cowritten by bestselling author Kate Messner and our country’s premier Taino scholar, this fascinating addition to the series is the one that teachers have been asking for and that kids need to read.<Trade Review"With witty text and entertaining sidebars that add context, this highly illustrated myth-buster will entice reluctant readers and history buffs alike." -School Libray Journal

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Book SynopsisMyths! Lies! Recycling scams? Discover the real story behind the first Earth Day celebration and some of the biggest US climate catastrophes--and their solutions! Don''t miss the award-winning History Smashers series as they get to the truth on the biggest environmental fibs!In April 1970, twenty million people grabbed their rakes, gloves, and recycling bins to celebrate the first Earth Day. Since that environmental kickoff, nature has never been in better shape. RIGHT?WRONG! The real deal is a bit muddier than that. It?s true that the first Earth Day encouraged people around the globe to clean up their act when it came to the environment. But activists have been working for centuries to save the planet! Native people across the world developed sustainable farming practices, women in eighteenth-century India stood up to protect trees, and amateur scientist Eunice Foote discovered the science behind global warming all the way back in the 1850s!Join the History Smashers team to bust history''s biggest misconceptions and figure out what in the world really went down before (and after!) the first Earth Day?and how you can join the fight to protect the environment.Ready to bust new myths? Check out more titles in the History Smashers series: The Mayflower? Plagues & Pandemics? The Titanic? The Underground Railroad? The Salem Witch Trials

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Book SynopsisKiller tornadoes and cool futuristic science make Kate Messner's next novel a must-read adventureTrade ReviewPraise for Sugar & Ice: An IndieBound Next List Pick, Amazon Best Book of the Month Awards Sugar & Ice: A definite contender in the 'strong middle grade' ring. A title that remains in your mind long after you've put it down. Fuse 8 Sugar & Ice: Satisfying and likely to have wide appeal. Booklist Praise for The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z: An IndieBound Next List Pick, E.B. White Read Aloud Award winner Awards The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z: Laced with humor and heart ... an insightful and affecting read. Booklist The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z: Plot twists keep readers engaged, and Messner's warm and humorous tone will capture even reluctant readers. School Library Journal The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z: Kate juggles a bundle of fairly heavy plotlines as if they weighed no more than a pile of leaves, managing her story with humor and grace. Writing and Ruminating (Online)

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewAn exciting middle-grade thriller. * Publishers Weekly on Wake Up Missing *Middle grade readers seeking adventure stories will enjoy this title. The topics of gene therapy and bioethics provide the reader with food for thought long after the book ends. * Library Media Connection on Wake Up Missing *Kate Messner combines a fascinating concept with page-turning suspense. . . . Reading this book is like a wild roller-coaster ride through the Florida swamps. * Margaret Peterson Haddix, author of The Missing and the Shadow Children series *Plenty of action. . . these heart-pounding scenes will be a hit. * School Library Journal on Eye of the Storm *This fast-paced read will sweep readers along to its powerful conclusion. * VOYA on Eye of the Storm *The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z: An IndieBound Next List Pick -- AwardThe Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z: Laced with humor and heart . . . an insightful and affecting read. * Booklist *The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z: Plot twists keep readers engaged, and Messner's warm and humorous tone will capture even reluctant readers. * School Library Journal *The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z: An engaging saga. * Kirkus Reviews *The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z: Kate juggles a bundle of fairly heavy plotlines as if they weighed no more than a pile of leaves, managing her story with humor and grace. * Writing and Ruminating (Online) *

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Book SynopsisAccomplished storytellers Kate Messner and Mark Siegel chronicle the process of becoming a reader: from pulling a book off the shelf and finding someone with whom to share a story, to reading aloud, predicting what will happen and—finally—coming to The End.

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Book SynopsisThe inspiring sequel to the 2015 Parent''s Choice Winner, How to Read a Story!Step 1: Choose an idea for your story. A good one.Step 2: Decide on a setting. Don''t be afraid to mix things up.Step 3: Create a heroine—or a hero.Now: Begin.Accomplished storytellers Kate Messner and Mark Siegel playfully chronicle the process of becoming a writer in this fun follow-up to How to Read a Story, guiding young storytellers through the joys and challenges of the writing process. From choosing an idea, to creating a problem for their character to resolve, to coming to The End, this empowering picture book breaks down the writing process in a dynamic and accessible way, encouraging kids to explore their own creativity—and share their stories with others!• Perfect for educators, librarians, and parents who are helping children develop early writing and reading skills• Great read-aloud book for preschool- and kindergarten-aged children interested in learning to read• Helps teach Common Core Curriculum skillsYoung readers who love We Are in a Book!, How Rocket Learned to Read, and Also an Octopus will love the reading and writing lessons and inspiration in How to Write a Story.• Read-aloud books for kids ages 3–5• Learning to write books for kids• Kindergarten, pre-K creativity booksKate Messner is an award-winning author whose many books for kids have been selected as Best Books by the New York Times, Junior Library Guild, Indie Bound, and Bank Street College of Education. She lives on Lake Champlain with her family.Mark Siegel is the author of many graphic novels and children''s picture books, including the 5 Worlds series, as well as the illustrator of How to Read a Story and the Robert F. Sibert Honor Book To Dance: A Ballerina''s Graphic Novel. He lives in New York.

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Book SynopsisPart of the critically acclaimed Over and Under series!Award-winning duo Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal take readers on a thrilling tour of one of the most diverse ecosystems on planet earth: the rainforests of Central America. Discover the wonder that lies hidden among the roots, above the winding rivers, and under the emerald leaves of the rainforest." Features animals like the slender parrot snake to the blue morpho butterfly" Explores the canopies, where toucans and pale-billed woodpeckers chatter and call" Other animals include capuchin monkeys who swing from vines and slow-moving sloths who wait out daily thunderstormsUnder the canopy of the rainforest hundreds of animals make their homes, but up in the leaves hides another world.This stunning read is perfect for kids who can''t get enough of the rainforest and all the animals living in it. " Equal parts educational and beautiful, this book is perfect for parents and grandparents, as well as librarians, science teachers, and educators." A great gift for kids who love nature, rainforests, animals, and learning more about the world" Perfect for children ages 5 to 8 years old" Add it to the shelf with books like The Big Book of Bugs by Yuval Zommer, The Animal Book by Lonely Planet Kids, and A Butterfly Is Patient by Dianna Aston.

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