Media Kit
Author Bio
Laura K. Zimmermann is a college professor by day and children’s writer by night. She has a PhD in developmental psychology and has published numerous academic articles as well as nonfiction stories in children’s magazines. MUSHROOM RAIN is her first picture book. When she’s not writing, Laura can be found teaching and conducting research at Shenandoah University or wandering through nature with her Goldendoodle, Tivy. Online you can find her at @LauraK_PBwriter on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.
She is represented by Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez at Bradford Literary Agency.
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Want to know more? Visit my About page.
Book
MUSHROOM RAIN by Laura K. Zimmermann, Illustrated by Jamie Green
ISBN: 978-1-53411-150-9; Jacketed Hardcover; ages 4-8; Published March 2022 by Sleeping Bear Press
Audio, & Video formats published by Dreamscape Publishing
Short Description: Explore the wonderful, mysterious, and sometimes bizarre world of mushrooms and how they help create rain.
Full Description: What can smell like bubble gum, glow neon green at night, be poisonous and yet still eaten by humans, and even help create rain? The answer is mushrooms! From their hidden networks underground to the fruiting body above, mushrooms can do incredible things. But don’t call them plants—mushrooms are fungi. They’re more closely related to animals like you! Through lyrical text and colorful, detailed artwork, the wonderful, mysterious, and sometimes bizarre world of mushrooms is explored. Back matter includes a glossary, additional mushroom facts, and a science activity.
Honors: The Crystal Kite Award (Atlantic Region) 2023, Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection Award 2022, Chicago Public Library Best Informational Books for Younger Readers of 2022, Nerdy Book Award 2022: Nonfiction Picture Books, Shelf Awareness 2022 Best Books of the Year, Powell’s Books Best Books of 2022, School Library Journal Starred Review
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For purchase links, a free teacher’s guide, and other activities, see the Mushroom Rain page.
Contact Information
Laura K. Zimmermann, PhD
Website: laurakzimmermann.com
Social Media: Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest
School Visits and Events
For information about setting up school visits and other events use the Contact form.
Upcoming and Selected Past Events:
Storytime & Craft, Scrawls, Virginia, 2023
Summer Camps & Craft, Florida Children’s Museum, 2023
Book Talk, Kiwanis of Lakeland, Florida, 2023
Storytime & Craft, Bird in Hand, Maryland, 2023
Book Signing for Birch Tree Bookstore, Leesburg Flower & Garden Festival, Virginia, 2023
Book Signing Barns of Rose Hill Local Author Event, Virginia, 2023
World Read Aloud & Read Across America Days Virtual Storytimes, 2023
Featured Presenter, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis Homeschool Programs, Virtual, Indiana, 2022
“The Mysterious World of Mushrooms,” Tree of Life Christian Prep School, 3rd & 4th graders, Virtual, 2022
“What It’s Like to be an Author,” Cleveland Court Elementary, 2nd graders, Florida, 2022
Nature Fun-Day, Polk’s Nature Discovery Center, Florida, 2022
“Mushroom Munchers,” Science Museum of Western Virginia, 2022
Storytime & Craft, John P. Holt Brentwood Library, Tennessee, 2022
“How MUSHROOM RAIN Grew” Presentation, Shenandoah University Children’s Literature Conference, Virginia, 2002
Selected Interviews and Blog Posts
Recycling Research and Words, KidLit Zombie Week, 2023
Dynamic Book Duos: Woodland Ecosystems, 2023
“It’s Raining Mushrooms,” Picture Book Builder, 2022
“Curiouser and Curiouser,” Archimedes Notebook, 2022
Nature and My Creative Life on Vicki Johnson’s Cabin Reads, Instagram, 2022
“Earth Day and New Book with Local Elementary Students.” Shenandoah University News, 2022
“Storystorm Success! MUSHROOM RAIN by Laura K. Zimmermann.” Tara Lazar’s Writing for Kids (While Raising Them), 2022
“MUSHROOM RAIN: Debut and Craft Chat with Author Laura Zimmermann.” by Kathy Halsey, GROG, 2022
“First Stories in February Featuring…Laura Zimmermann!!” Heather C Morris’ First Stories, 2022
