Both of the books I’ve published so far are natural extensions of the writing I’ve done about fostering curiosity in children (and their parents) on my (other) blog Caterpickles.

What’s That, Mom?: How to use public art to engage your children with the world around them… without being an artist yourself
ISBN: 978-0998289106

Every time your child asks you a question, what he or she is really doing is inviting you to have a conversation. Even better, your child is telling you exactly what he or she wants to talk about. All you have to do is allow yourself to participate.

But what do you do if your child wants to talk about something you don’t know anything about, like art?

Fortunately, you don’t have to know all the answers just to have a conversation.

What’s That, Mom? provides 15 accessible, practical strategies for using public art to spark conversations with children between the ages of 3 and 10 — no artistic talent or insight required.

The Reviews So Far…

• “A charming, practical, and thought-provoking book.”
• “Simple, practical, inexpensive, & doable.”
• “Great book for enjoying arts with your kids.”
• “…as an art teacher of young children and a mother, I love this book!”

What’s That, Mom? is also available on Bookshop.org.

What’s That, Mom?: Field Notes from Your Encounters with Public Art out in the Wild
ISBN: 978-0998289137

The wonderful thing about public art is that it is all around us, sparking our children’s curiosity and prompting conversations.

The terrible thing about public art is that it’s art, and art feels like one of those subjects you can’t talk about unless you have a degree in it or a talent for making it.

This journal is designed to offer families a structure for exploring public art together. My hope is that this journal will help you deepen your relationship with your children and build memories that your entire family will recall fondly later on. If in the process, you can convert public art from something you exclaim over vaguely into something you actively explore, so much the better.

What’s Next?

The next installment in the Caterpickles Parenting Series will focus on science, and how parents without a science degree can handle their child’s curious questions without enrolling in a college-level refresher course.

Find My Books

In addition to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, and other major online book retailers, my books are available locally through Blue Bunny Toys & Books in Dedham, Massachusetts, and nationwide through IndieBound.org.