Children's Publications
Adult Publications
Out of Print Publications

Children's Publications

Don’t Be a CopyCat! Write a Great Report without Plagiarizing. Enslow Publishers, Inc. 2008.

ISBN-13:  978-0-7660-2860-9 ISBN-10: 0-7660-2860-7

How do you research and write a great report? How do you do it without copying or plagiarizing? What does "plagiarizing" mean, anyway? Find out in this fun reference book on information literacy for young readers and writers. Covers good research and note-taking techniques, what plagiarism is (and isn't), how to give proper credit for source materials, and much more.

Ordering info:
http://www.enslow.com/displayitem.asp?type=1&item=2318

Nick Anderson, N.I., Nature Investigator Series
Meet Nick and Rachel Anderson in Scholastic's newest early reader chapter book mystery series. See how the ingenious nature investigators and their friends use nature facts and detective clues to solve the mystery in each book.

TO ORDER: Call Scholastic: 1-800-724-6527, then choose Education Department (Option #3 on the phone menu) and then choose Supplemental Materials in the Catalog Department (Option #1 on the phone menu).

Reading Counts tests are available for all three books. Click here to purchase the Reading Counts tests.

The Case of the Garden Monster
A garden monster has trampled Rachel's
flowers and broken into Nick's clubhouse. Who could it be?
Scholastic Book Clubs
ISBN: 0-439-47470-1

** Winner of the Colorado Authors' League 2004 Award for Booklength Children's Fiction **

Writing Mysteries, Movies, Monsters, and More. Nancy Bentley and Donna Guthrie. Millbrook Press, 2001.
ISBN: 0-7613-1452-0
Order it now from:


A guide to genre writing and the publishing process for dedicated young authors.

Reviews:
"After asking in the introduction, 'Are you a writer?' the authors delve into big subjects such as characters, plot, point of view, etc., as well as the necessary elements in writing fiction, short stories, mysteries, sf, fantasy, and humor. A chapter on writing for the screen shows that the authors put no limits on what they think their audience can do. Along with solid advice in every chapter, there is information on each genre and how to write it, and writing exercises. The clean format dotted with ink drawings looks young, but it's still inviting. For writers ready to make their move, there's information on traditional as well as Website addresses for 12 online markets." - Booklist

The Young Producer's Video Book: How to Write, Direct, and Produce Your Own Video. Nancy Bentley and Donna Guthrie. Millbrook Press, 1995. ISBN: 0-56294-566-1 (hardback), ISBN: 1-56294-688-9 (paperback).
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How to take an idea, write a script, and turn it into a fiction or nonfiction video. Explains camera shots and movement, storyboards, use of talent, microphones, graphics and sound effects.

Reviews:
"How to make a video, from idea to finished product, is presented in short precise text and clever cartoons. The authors have efficiently outlined the stages of development, including planning, production, and editing, giving step-by-step instructions for each level and providing sample storyboard forms and camera sheets." - School Library Journal

"The authors … take readers step by step through the preliminaries (choosing the type of film and writing the script, etc.) and the actual production process, using a ready combination of illustrations and succinct description to guide the way. Technical sections - on lighting and editing, for example - barely scratch the surface of their subjects, but they still give novice moviemakers an idea of what counts. Given the growing popularity of video cameras and the emphasis on technology in the schools, this book won't stay on the shelf long." - Booklist

How to Promote Your Children's Book on a Shoestring. Nancy Bentley and Donna Guthrie. Children's Book Insider, 1994
Order it now from write4kids.com!

A professional guide for children's book writers on how to create press packets, set up media interviews without hiring an outside public relations firm, arrange high-visibility book sales and autograph parties, plan an exciting school presentations, and how to deal wisely with bookstores, librarians, teachers and more.

How To Promote Your Children's Book On A Shoestring is a gold mine of never-before-published tips, tricks and common-sense advice that can help any published or self-published author take a giant leap ahead of the competition. You'll sell more books than you ever thought possible, and you'll have a great time doing it.

The Making of a Storybook: Mary Calhoun-Storyteller.
Chip Taylor Communications, 1991.
Order it now from Chip Taylor Communications! (Video)

Shown at the 1992 Chicago International Children's Film Festival.

The Making of a Storybook: Mary Calhoun-Storyteller is a film developed to show children how Colorado author, Mary Calhoun, comes up with ideas for her picture books and how those ideas are ultimately turned into a book. Our small video crew followed Mary Calhoun around her mountain hometown of Steamboat Springs as she explored nature, hot-air balloons and talked to students about her works and her writing process.

Reviews:
"Mary Calhoun, Colorado Storyteller… includes childhood photographs, segments from her stories, and suggestions to young writers. Calhoun, author of the popular Katie John and Henry the cat stories, is comfortable and inspiring talking with elementary school students about her life and her work, and these youngsters elicit some fascinating responses from the charming author." -School Library Journal

I've Got Your Nose! Doubleday, 1991.
ISBN: 0-385-41297-5
Order it now from the author: Nancy Bentley
or

A humorous picture book about a little witch who refuses to accept her distinctly unscary nose and is determined to do something about it.

I've Got Your Nose! was created out of a childhood memory of one of my many uncles leaning down to 'steal my nose' and saying "I've got your nose!" The idea of losing or changing one's nose seemed utterly fascinating - especially if you wanted to do it because your nose wasn't scary enough!

Reviews:

"A book with a message of self-acceptance. Nahzella, a witch, has a tiny, button nose '… fit for a princess, not for a witch.' Madden's scratchy, humorous drawings perfectly portray a pudding-bag, befuddled, ineffective Nahzella who couldn't scare even the most timid, regardless of her nose. She's a winner for sharing any time of year." - School Library Journal

"Unhappy with her small, cute nose, a witch keeps swapping noses with people and animals she meets, but each nose is worse than her own. Colorful cartoonlike paintings illustrate the humor of the story." - Horn Book Guide

A Junior Library Guild Selection, 1992

Adult Publications

Personal essay: “Inspiration, with a six-foot wingspan” The Christian Science Monitor, December 4, 2006. http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/1204/p18s01-hfes.html

Out of Print Publications

The Case of the Sneaky Stinger
Rachel, Bitsy and Shelly are having a tea party when suddenly a nasty bug stings Rachel. Who did it?
Scholastic Book Clubs
ISBN: 0-439-47471-X

The Case of the Missing Bluebirds
There used to be lots of bluebirds in town, but not anymore. Where are they and can the Nature Investigators get them to come back?
Scholastic Book Clubs
ISBN: 0-439-47472-8

The Young Journalist's Book: How to Write and Produce Your Own Newspaper. Nancy Bentley and Donna Guthrie. Millbrook Press, 1998. ISBN: 0-7613-0360-X (hardback),
ISBN: 0-7613-1377-X (paperback)

An informative and inspiring book that will explain what it takes to write and produce a newspaper and become a journalist.

Reviews:
"A step-by-step guide that explains what a journalist does, what makes an interesting story, and how newspapers differ from books. Students learn about gathering facts, writing a story, proofreading, designing layout, printing, and distributing their newspaper. There are frequent references to using computers in the process. The authors describe the different types of stories, e.g., news, features, and editorials, with hints on how to write each one and suggestions for topics. The full-color cartoons are appealing. Inspirational, practical fare for writers and would-be reporters.
- School Library Journal

"In a sprightly introduction to journalism, the authors begin with what a
journalist is (someone who can view various sides of the situation and
present the facts fairly; someone who can take complicated ideas and write
about them clearly) and then describe how to start a newspaper, decide what's newsworthy, write a news story, and find a journalistic writing style. The book goes on to examine various features, including op-ed pieces and comic strips packing in a lot of information. The format is particularly nice: each subject gets only a page or two of treatment; clean, white pages are the background for the cartoon-style illustrations that enliven every page. Information is presented in lists for easy consumption or in paragraphs "slugged," as they say in the newspaper business, with stars to highlight important points. Occasionally some of the information doesn't jibe with what has come before, but overall this is a good jumping-off point for kids who have a nose for news. A handy guide for school newspaper staffs, too."
- Booklist

Putting on a Play: The Young Playwright's Guide to Scripting, Directing, and Performing. Nancy Bentley and Donna Guthrie. Millbrook Press, 1996.
ISBN: 0-7613-0011-2

Leads children through the play-writing process from concept development through auditions, production, and performance.

Reviews:
"…an easy-to-read how-to-do-it guide, with a welcome emphasis on the structure and content of the drama rather than on the technicalities of acting and production. The authors cover various types of plays (pantomime, improvisation, skits, etc.); steps to writing plays (character, setting, dialogue, action, conflict, plot, and theme); and stages in production (responsibilities of the various crew members, auditions and rehearsals, and the rudiments of acting and directing). Excerpts from five sample scripts, each from a different type of drama, bring the book to a close. An admirably lucid and concise presentation of the essentials of stagecraft, with plenty of encouragement for aspiring thespians." - Kirkus Reviews

"This brightly illustrated book introduces drama and encourages young people to take an active part, on stage or behind the scenes. The discussion begins with descriptions of 11 types of plays and furnishes suggestions or tips for each one. The rest of the book takes children through the practical steps that lead to a good production: brainstorming, writing the script, choosing the crew and case, preparing the stage, rehearsing the lines, and performing the play. Bentley and Guthrie's descriptions and directions are simple, practical, and generally clear. Small, colorful illustrations appear throughout the book, giving it an appealing, lighthearted look that may convince readers that putting on a play really can be fun. A good starting place for young dramatists." - Booklist

The Young Author's Do-It-Yourself Book: How to Write, Illustrate and Produce Your Own Book. Nancy Bentley and Donna Guthrie. Millbrook Press, 1994. ISBN: 1-56294-350-2 (hardback), ISBN: 1-56294-723-0 (paperback).

A step-by-step guide to the publishing process for young writers and illustrators.

Reviews:
"The appeal of this title is that it not only gives step-by-step directions to help illustrate and produce a book, but also discusses the fiction and nonfiction writing process. The full-color illustrations reiterate points made in the text and complement it well, showing in a graphic and fun manner the how-to's of becoming an author. Would be writers couldn't be anything but successful if they use this concise manual." - School Library Journal

"Young Author's is an illustrated, step-by-step guide that breaks down the process of making a book into manageable stages: deciding what kind of book to write, then organizing, writing, editing, illustrating, assembling, and binding it…. One of the book's strengths is its clear, no-nonsense approach to writing in a section that encompasses nearly half the text." - Booklist

The Busy Body Board Book Series:

Let's Go Feet!

Do This, Hands!

What's on Top, Head?

Listen to this, Ears!

Price/Stern/Sloan, 1987.

A series of board books, The Busy Body Board Books shows the delightful actions of little feet and hands and what children hear and wear on their heads.

About this series, Nancy Bentley says, "These were my very first books and they were written after a family vacation on the New Jersey shore. My two-year-old niece spent hours dressing up in all our shoes and clothes, which lay about the rental apartment while we were swimming in the ocean. Her playfulness and joy was contagious."