COMING SOON – September 15, 2026!
From the award-winning author of TRUNK GOES THUNK! A WOODLAND TALE OF OPPOSITES comes another exploration of the wonder and fun that can be found just outside your back door.
It can happen anywhere…before you know it, you are BORED! But being bored is the BEST place to start in this fun, interactive adventure that encourages kids to explore the natural world and find ingredients for their very own Backyard Stew. As they tap the tops of wild strawberries, wiggle wild onions out of the ground, and rub every dandelion, young readers will delight in making this tried and true “recipe” over and over again. Especially when they discover the secret ingredient!
The vibrant, watercolor illustrations capture rich, natural details and the interactive concept will delight fans of Press Here and Tap the Magic Tree. Perfect for elementary classrooms, early-grade science teachers, interactive story times, and fun read-alouds at home.
Winner of the SCBWI Crystal Kite Honor Award – Southeast Division
A 2025 Baker’s Dozen Award Winner
A 2025 Keystone to Reading Preschool List Nominee
California Reading Association Eureka! Nonfiction Children’s Book Award – Committee Pick
“A cozy, lushly illustrated introduction to opposites and wildlife.” – Kirkus Reviews
“This offering is a step (or three!) up from typical opposite books and a welcome foray into the natural world.” – Booklist
“A lively look at opposites that is a useful teaching tool and an examination of the many animals in a busy forest. A recommended purchase.” – School Library Journal
Whoosh! Crash! Thunk! Follow along as the LOUD sounds of a falling tree signal the transformation of a QUIET area of the forest into a flourishing center of activity.
This lyrical nonfiction story uses word opposites such as small and large, dark and light, high and low, and fast and slow to introduce young readers to the natural recycling of fallen timber into log bridges. From bears, porcupines and raccoons to eagles, mice and deer, a host of forest animals repurpose a fallen tree, connecting two sides of a stream together throughout the seasons.
A carefully-chosen color palette of soothing natural colors and a charming collection of characters bring the playful prose to life in what is certain to become a storytime or bedtime favorite and a go-to book for early elementary science and language arts teachers.
Available NOW!
“An entertaining, fright-filled geographical tour.” – Kirkus Reviews
I am thrilled that my short, ghost story – White Thing – is the Alabama story in this spine-tingling anthology.
HAUNTED STATES OF AMERICA is a collection of fifty-two short stories, one for each of the fifty states plus Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. Nationally known or relatively unheard of, based in fact or based entirely in local lore, these stories capture the spooky side of the U.S. All story authors were chosen from the SCBWI membership. Published by Godwin Books/Henry Holt, an imprint of Macmillan Publishing.
Published by Godwin Books/Henry Holt, an imprint of Macmillan Publishing.
AVAILABLE NOW!
Dribble Shoot Swish
Coming Spring 2027 from Gnome Road Publishing!
Educational Resources
Click on the images below to download FREE printable resources that relate to my books!
The Educator Resource Guide (available from Gnome Road Publishing) includes curriculum tie-ins for Trunk Goes Thunk! For example, activities related to woodland biomes and language arts. (Alabama State Standards – SC23.K.E.IR, SC23.2.E.IR, ELA21.K.20, ELA21.1.14, ELA21.2.16)
The Writing Worksheet is part of my “Writing Your Story” presentation and includes the basics of creative writing story construction – perfect for grades 3-5. (Alabama State Standards – ELA21.3.33, ELA21.4.25, ELA21.5.24)
Heather C. Morris 