Hello
My picture books are of high interest and yet easy to read with fun-filled illustrations. They capture the imagination of young children.
Tap the picture below to hear Denise tell you about her books.
MY STORY
TEN YEARS! TEN YEARS! Yes, ten years ago I published my first children’s book starring the Nittany Lion with Mascot Books. NITTANY LION HAS THE HICCUPS has been very well received. It is also hard to believe that this book has been followed by six additional books starring the ever-popular Penn State University mascot. The eight book is on its way as well.
I had recently retired from teaching. After spending many years as a Reading Specialist then teaching third grade I was very in tune with the academic skills of my students. Some children had a great deal of success progressing. Other children needed a slower pace and more opportunities to grasp the sounds, words and concepts presented in print. I really enjoyed creating variations on a theme for them to practice. I got to know my students interests and presented materials that would appeal to them.
No longer in a formal teaching position I still wanted to be connected to children and help them learn. As a Penn State alum I decided to write a story that was relatively easy to read with the Nittany Lion as the main character. The repetition in the story provides comfort for the less confident reader. I had prepared the bones of the story but was aware that it needed polish. I knew there was a “method to the madness” of writing and publishing a story. Lucky for me a new critique group was starting near me. I joined and each time we met I had a story revision that the group patiently listened to and kindly offered positives and negatives. When I felt it was my best I started researching a way to self publish. After asking around various bookstore managers and even local librarians I decided to take a chance and go with Mascot Books. I have been quite pleased with the help and support that I have received from everyone including the publisher, editor, bookkeeper, etc. Mascot Books took my manuscript and created a book that was eye-catching to young and old. They have all been very professional. My books have been marketed to small and large outlets. Information regarding sales and royalty checks come quarterly without failure. All in all it has been a positive experience.
Word of my publishing success has spread and I have been asked by other would be writers for help. As a “teacher for life” I have been happy to share what I have learned with anyone who asks. If self publishing is the author’s choice I always recommend Mascot Books. I am happy to say that NITTANY LION HAS THE HICCUPS has been successful and very popular with the young readers and listeners, too.
I next decided I would place the Nittany Lion on the Penn State Campus. So many of the children have visited campus and would enjoy seeing pictures of these sites. The children would surely recognize the Creamery and the Bryce Jordan Center. The Blue Band is also an important and fun part of this story. But most of all children love surprises. What better surprise is there than a birthday party. Having all Nittany Lion’s friends and fans there with fireworks was the “icing on the cake” in NITTANY LION GET A BIG SURPRISE.
Nittany Lion is a proud supporter of The Pennsylvania State University. He is also a regular story time reader at the town library. So, of course, he choose to read NITTANY LION TELLS THE LEGEND OF PRINCESS NIT-A-NEE to the children. You may want to read it too so you’ll know how we became the Nittany Lions.
After some thought Nittany Lion decided to take a vacation in the beautiful Pennsylvania outdoors. He loves living in Happy Valley, but he was looking forward to enjoying nature. It was hard for him to decide when and where to go. The choices were endless. Maybe after reading NITTANY LION’S PENNSYLVANIA VACATION you will have some advice to share with the him. You might even plan your own Pennsylvania vacation.
Nittany Lion is part of so many activities on and off campus. He is devoted to the Penn State students and their causes. One very important cause is THON. THON is the largest student run philanthropic organization. The Lion and students raise funds all year and they go to the Hershey Medical Center to entertain and cheer up the children with pediatric cancer. The students even have a 46 hour dance marathon in February to raise money for the benefit of the young patients and their families. NITTANY LION AND THON tells the story and presents a positive spin. Hopefully it will motivate all of us to help the children, too.
Another important cause for the Nittany Lion is to take good care of the Earth. He enjoys walking whenever he can or he takes the natural gas powered bus. The Lion shops locally, too. There are times when he gathers the students and together they do litter pick up or trail maintenance. NITTANY LION AND EARTH DAY shares the Lion and his good deeds. It may help inspire others to pitch in too.
As you know superheros are a popular subject these days. Did you know that the Nittany Lion is a superhero? Well, he is. He is a regular substitute reader at the local library. He helps anyone he meets as he makes his way around campus and town. Everyone is so grateful for his help. One who is most grateful is the librarian. She presented him with a cape saying “You are my Hero Nittany Lion. You come whenever I need a reader for story time. I made this cape for you.” Nittany Lion is so happy he can help in little and big ways. NITTANY LION EVERYDAY SUPERHERO presents a variety of examples of how the Lion is an SuperHero.
NITTANY LION CELEBRATES THE 4TH OF JULY tailgating on campus every chance he gets. On our nation's birthday he is glad to hear about all the famous places his friends have visited. He hopes everyone will visit all of our country's important sites.
With the help of my daughter, Jessie and her clever illustrations, and the support of Mascot Books there will be more stories to come. If these stories help students develop their reading skills and inspire them to read other books I am pleased.