Laura Purdie Salas is the author of more than 30 books for children. Most of all, she loves to write poetry. Funny, serious, rhyming, free verse…she loves it all. Her first picture book poetry collection, Stampede! And Other Poems About School, will be published by Clarion Books. She has other poetry collections coming out from Capstone Press, along with a Write Your Own Poetry book coming out from Compass Point. Laura writes nonfiction on a variety of topics and for a wide range of ages. Kindergartners and primary students enjoy her fun nonfiction books, like Whose Shoes Are These? and Do Crocodiles Dance?: A Book About Animal Habits. For middle-graders, she has written about famous and not-so-famous people, skateboarding, and the Trail of Tears, among other subjects. And teens living on their own find tips and encouragement in Taking the Plunge: A Teen’s Guide to Independence.

In the past, Laura has worked as an 8th-grade teacher and an instructor for the Institute of Children’s Literature. She enjoys speaking to adults, kids, and teachers about poetry and writing.

Most of the time, she’s either reading or writing. If she’s not, she’s probably playing board games or karaoke with her two daughters, Maddie and Annabelle, or losing a game of racquetball to her husband, Randy. She and her family live in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Flashy, Clashy, and Oh-So Splashy:
Poems about Color
A+ Books/Capstone Press, 2008
grades 1 to 3, ISBN 978-1-4296-1204-3

A collection of original, color-themed poetry for children accompanied by striking photos. These books contain lots of snappy rhyming poems as well as several poetic forms.

Dirt

Young Bobby went outside to play
In a black-muddy, spring-sloppy way.
He took off his shoes
As he danced in the ooze
And gave thanks for the glorious day!

[limerick]

Seed Sower, Hat Thrower:
Poems About Weather
A+ Books/Capstone Press, 2008
grades 1 to 3, ISBN 978-1-4296-1209-8

A collection of original, weather-themed poetry for children accompanied by striking photos. These books contain lots of snappy rhyming poems as well as several poetic forms.

Bolt

Silver flash dances
from sky to earth in one leap—
Electrifying!

[haiku]

Tiny Dreams, Sprouting Tall:
Poems about the United States
A+ Books/Capstone Press, 2008
grades 1 to 3, ISBN 978-1-4296-1208-1

A collection of original, United States-themed poetry for children accompanied by striking photos. These books contain lots of snappy rhyming poems as well as several poetic forms.

And Then There Were Eight:
Poems about Space
A+ Books/Capstone Press, 2008
grades 1 to 3, ISBN 978-1-4296-1207-4

A collection of original, space-themed poetry for children accompanied by striking photos. These books contain lots of snappy rhyming poems as well as several poetic forms.

Then There Were Eight

Poor ball of ice, we know you exist; but you're
Little and solid and we must insist on
Undoing the past, so though you'll be missed, we've
Taken you
Off of the "real planet" list

[acrostic]

Shrinking Days, Frosty Nights:
Poems About Fall
A+ Books/Capstone Press, 2008
grades 1 to 3, ISBN 978-1-4296-1205-0

A collection of original, fall-themed poetry for children accompanied by striking photos. These books contain lots of snappy rhyming poems as well as several poetic forms.

Day's End

orange lights flickering,
orange windows bright
orange skies decorate
autumn-glow night

orange jack-o-lanterns,
orange falling leaves,
orange nights steal away
summer like thieves

Do Buses Eat Kids? Poems about School
A+ Books/Capstone Press, 2008
grades 1 to 3, ISBN 978-1-4296-1206-7

A collection of original, school-themed poetry for children accompanied by striking photos. These books contain lots of snappy rhyming poems as well as several poetic forms.

Ordinary

Pencil
Black tube hiding
Inside yellow wrapping
Leaves grey trail of letters, stories,
Magic

[cinquain]

Write Your Own Poetry
Compass Point Books, 2008
grade 5 to 7, ISBN 9780756535193

No topic is off-limits in poetry. Whether you want to write poems that make people laugh out loud, gasp in surprise, or see things in a new way, this book is for you. Conquer the blank page and express your thoughts, feelings, and observations in the magical world of poetry.

Awards
finalist for Association of Educational Publishers' 2008 Distinguished Achievement Award