A Wisconsin Children's Book Author of the Year, Lorbiecki has been presented with numerous awards for books for young readers. She was twice honored with the prestigious "Living the Dream" Award for her children's books on multicultural subjects. For more on her awards...
For Children &
Those with Youthful Spirits
Exciting new works in progress...
a fun musical, musical audio book, & more
Lucette! Paul Bunyan Meets His Match
That giant of a lumberjack, Paul Bunyan, has finally met his match in the tall and lovely Lucette Diana Kensack of Hackensack. But can Paul win her love? She gives him three fun tasks to see if he is worthy—Paul does his best, to comical results. Will she take him? Can she help him see the damage he is doing to the forests and animals? Is there another way? "Lucette's the new Loxax!"
Sister Ann's Hands
illustrated by K. Wendy Popp
ages 4 and up
Dial Books (Penguin Putnam)
ISBN 978-0-8037-2038-1
soft-cover edition, Puffin Books (Penguin Putnam)
ISBN 978-0-14-056534-8
Sister Anne, an inspiring and fun second grade teacher, faces racism as an African American in her Midwest classroom. The story of how she turns the situation around is told through the eyes of one of her white students who is transformed by the experience. Listen to this moving reading of this book by Lauri Hunter so you can have children reading the book along.
Awards
Storyteller World's Award; International Reading Association Best Books of the Year (starred); Bank Street College Children's Book of the Year; New York Public Library Notable Trade Book for Young People in Social Studies, in Literary Arts; Living the Dream Award, Manhattan Country School
Readers'
ongoing favorites
A cumulative rhyme describes the components of a prairie from soil partners, roots and pollinators through plants, grazers and predators to the sky-high lightning that brings revitalizing fire... The writing is lively and suggestive, ... While the text will read aloud nicely, the images are worth the careful attention a child reading alone can give them. . . . A vivid introduction to a vital habitat."
—Kirkus Reviews
The Prairie That Nature Built
Illustrated by Cathy Morrison
Ages: 4 to 10, 32 pages
Dawn Publications
Paperback: ISBN 978-1-58469-492-2
Hardcover: ISBN 978-1-58469-491-5
A wild prairie is a lively place in this rhythmic romp with munchers and crunchers above and below the grasses so thick, and fires that flare, and rains that quench—and always the prairie grows green. Back matter offers information and activities for a fuller appreciation of this marvelous, disappearing habitat.
Awards and Recognition
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Mom's Choice Gold Medal Award Winner for Animal/Nature Books
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Family Choice Award
Jackie's Bat
illustrated by Brian Pinkney
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers,
ages 4 and up
ISBN 978-0-689-84102-6
Joey is the Brooklyn Dodger's bat boy. It's his first season, and he finds out that it’s Jackie Robinson's first season too. Joey doesn't want to serve a black man, but what Joey learns in this exciting baseball season of 1947 he'll remember all his life. Approved by Rachel Robinson, Jackie’s widow.
Awards
Storytellers World Award for 2006; Manhattan Country School "Living the Dream" Award 2008
Escaping Titanic:
A Young Girl's True Story of Survival
Illustrated by Kory S. Heinzen
Ages 7 and up (for difficult content)
Picture Window Books
ISBN 1404871438
In the midst of the Titanic disaster comes this real life story of Ruth Becker, just twelve years old. She was aboard the ship and just barely escaped the sinking. Come with her as explores this luxury ship but then experiences with others what happened that tragic night--
when it hit the iceberg.
Things Natural, Wild, and Free:
The Life of Aldo Leopold
Grades 4- Young Adult
Fulcrum Books,
grades 4 to young adult,
ISBN 978-1-55591-474-5
Adventure—as a child Aldo Leopold was always looking for it as he wandered over the bluffs along the Mississippi with his dog, Spud. This led Leopold to become a forester, wildlife scientist, author, and one of the most important conservationists in history. This book features historic black and white photographs, a timeline, resource and activity sections, a time line, and a bibliography.
Planet Patrol:
A Kids' Action Guide to Earth Care
Illustrated by Nancy Meyers
Two-Can Children's Publishing
hardcover ISBN 978-1-58728-514-1
paperback ISBN 978-1-58728-518-9
This guide combines ecological concepts with fun facts, examples of what kids are doing worldwide, and action tips. It has joins the delight of with cartoons and photos. Perfect for your little one who wants to make a difference!
John Muir & Stickeen:
An Icy Adventure with a No-Good Dog
co-authored with Julie Dunlap (first author)
illustrated by Bill Farnsworth
NorthWord Press,
ages 4 and up
ISBN 978-1-55971-903-2
The famous nature-lover John Muir loves glaciers but he doesn't like pets—then he ends up on an Alaskan adventure with a mutt named Stickeen. Stickeen proves to be even more stubborn than Muir! Will they both make it back to camp alive? This story is based on first-hand accounts, with quotations from Muir’s journals sprinkled throughout.
Awards
The Teachers Choice Award 2005 from Learners Magazine
Painting the Dakota:
Seth Eastman at Fort Snelling
illustrated with paintings by Seth Eastman
Ages 11 & up
Seth Eastman came to the Minnesota Territory as an army officer in the 1830s and again in the 1840s, while the lands still belonged to the eastern Dakota or Santee Sioux. With the eye of an artist, Eastman captured the beauty and details of their everyday lives. The middle section of the book moves through the Dakota seasons of the year illustrated by Eastman's eyewitness paintings.
Awards
Best of Show, Midwest Independent Publisher Assoc.; Benjamin Franklin Award, Publishers Marketing Assoc.; Independent Publishers Book Award
Prairie Dogs
illustrated by Wayne Ford
Ages 4 to 8, NorthWord Press, 2004
ISBN 978-1-55971-883-7
"Animals facing threats from human encroachment are featured in these offerings from the Our Wild World series. Prairie Dogs looks at critters considered a keystone species by scientists, linked to the survival of about 40 other species. Horse-lovers will gravitate to the doe-eyed bays on the cover of Wild Horses, which introduces readers to the scattered herds of mustangs still roaming the U.S. Both books spend a great deal of time on these animals' fascinating social systems, from the bands of mares led by a single stallion to prairie dog towns subdivided into coteries. The prose is consistently clear and lively..." [Amazon review]
Louisa May & Mr. Thoreau's Flute
coauthored with Julie Dunlap (first author)
illustrated by Mary Azarian
ages 5 and up
Dial Books for Young Readers, Penguin Putnam, 2002
ISBN 978-0-8037-2470-9
Young Louisa May Alcott is so wild a child her parents don't know what to do. Her father tries to use writing to help tame her spirit. But Louy seems to make more ink blots than words. Then she begins going on field trips with other neighborhood children guided by her sister's teacher, Henry David Thoreau. In the woods and on the river, Louisa learns from Mr. Thoreau about the magic in nature and the enchantment of words, especially one's own. In the end, she writes her first poem. A book for lovers of writing and lovers of nature.
Awards
Parents Choice Award; Adult /Children's Bestsellers' List, Boston Globe, Junior Literary Guild
Stories from Where We Live:
The Great North American Prairie Anthology
anthology edited by Sara St. Antoine, llustrated by Trudy Nicholson, Ages 9 & up, Milkweed Editions,
ISBN 978-1-57131-630-1
This book in the award-winning series helps kids (and adults) connect with the prairie eco region through stories, poems, memoirs, letters, and essays written about the area. Lorbiecki's essay "Prairie Spirits on the Wing." It tells the story of her relationship with the meadowlark. It caps this fabulous collection, which includes works by greats, such as Louise Erdrich, William Least Heat Moon, Willa Cather, Carl Sandburg and others.
Awards
The series has been the ABA Kids' Pick of the Lists and Notable Social Studies Trade Books
illustrated by Kerry Maguire
Ages 8 years & up
Carolrhoda (Lerner Publications)
ISBN 978-0-87614-797-9
A children's biography of the internationally renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold.
Awards
1993 John Burroughs Nature Book; Distinguished Service to History Award, State Historical Society of Wisconsin
Of Things Natural, Wild, and Free:
A Story about Aldo Leopold
Children of Vietnam
Photographs by Paul Rome
ages 8 and up
Carolrhoda (Lerner Publications), 1997
ISBN 978-1-57505-034-8
This photo essay focuses on contemporary children around the country of Vietnam. The book travels from north to south, covering history, culture, natural history, and day-to-day life.
Awards
1998 Notable Trade Book for Young People in Social Studies
Just One Flick of a Finger
illustrated by David Diaz
Ages 7 & up
Dial Books for Young Readers (Penguin Putnam)
ISBN 978-0-8037-1949-1
(presently out of print)
A boy who is bullied brings a gun to school to protect himself and finds the situation turns bad—told in a rap ballad style.
Awards
Children's Choice; Pick of the Lists by American Library Association, the New York Public Library, and The Chicago Tribune
My Palace of Leaves in Sarajevo
illustrated by Herbert Tauss
Ages 8 & up
Dial Books for Young Readers (Penguin Putnam),
ISBN 978-0-8037-2033-6 (presently out of print)
Nadja, a nine-year-old girl who lives in Sarajevo during the Bosnian war, tells her story through letters to a distant cousin in Minnesota. Sensitively shows the horrors and hopes of people living in a war zone.
Awards
Children's Literature Choice List; Japanese rights sold
Welcome to Grand Teton National Park
Ages 9 to 12
Visitors Guide series, Child's World, 2006
ISBN 978-1592966981
A tour through Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park introduces the park's flora, fauna, topography, history, weather, and attractions. Menor's Ferry, Mount Moran, The Old Patriarch, and Shoshone influences are all discussed. Additional features to aid in comprehension include a table of contents, informative captions and sidebars, detailed maps, map legends, a phonetic glossary, sources for further research, and an index.
Triceratops
Ages 9 to 12
(North American Dinosaurs) Rourke Publishing, 2007
ISBN 978-1600442537
Fierce prehistoric dinosaurs are an all-time favorite among reluctant readers. Kids will have fun reading and learning about dinosaurs that once roamed the North American continent. Filled with engaging illustrations and archeology-like photographs, these books will educate as they entertain the reader. A big hit with kids of all ages.
Shapes Series: Circles & Triangles
illustrated by Sharon Lane Holm
ages 4 to 8
Abdo & Daughters, 2007
Circles --ISBN 978-1602700437
Triangles--ISBN 978-1602700437
The Shapes books provide first lessons on common shapes. Rhyming text and creative illustrations draw attention to where circles and triangles are found in the world around us.
That's Life Literature Series
Life Skills Series for Secondary Level Special Education Students
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Friends O'Mania: A Teen's Guide to Making Friends
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Jitters: A Story about Making Friends
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Friendship Frenzy and Other Fun Poems
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I'm Somebody, Who Are You? A Social Game for Making New Friends
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You're There: A Teen's Guide to Going Places
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On My Way, Today: A Story about Going Places
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On the Move GROOVE and Other Fun Poems
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Mystery Explorers: A Social Game for Finding Your Way
Designed by David Bradley - Photographs by Jim Gallop
That's Life Literature Series- AbleNet Inc., 2004
This groundbreaking new soft-cover series is targeted for secondary special-education students. The books feature vibrant low-level text and sidebars with skill concepts and photographs of high school students of different abilities. Each title comes in a themed sets (of four books a piece) aimed at developing life skills. The text and design are so lively, colorful, and contemporary that the books can also be used with students in junior high and elementary grades.
Luke and Leo Build a Limerick
Illustrated by Irene Richard
Paperback ISBN-13 : 978-1603572972
Library Edition ISBN-10 : 160357297
Norwood House Press
Luke and Leo with some help from Lizzie and her sister have fun writing Limericks. This series can get young writers writing their own poems! Join in on the adventure as friends learn the basics of writing poetry and the use of rhyme, meter, alliteration, and other tools to write their own poems. Each book in the series covers a different type of poem. From limericks to acrostics, you can follow the story that shows the steps needed to create your new poem. Activities in the back of the book provide additional information and writing practice.
Grassland Food Chains
Deep Ocean Food Chains
Illustrated by Hazel Adams
Ages 7 and up
Fascinating Food Chains series, Magic Wagon
Grasslands
ISBN-10 : 1602707952
ISBN-13 : 978-1602707955
Deep Ocean
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ISBN-10 : 1602707936
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ISBN-13 : 978-1602707931