Media Kit

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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.

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Want to know more? Visit my About page.

Book

BOOK COVER LOW RESOLUTION

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

School Visits and Events

author presenting at elementary school

For information about setting up school visits and other events use the Contact form.

Upcoming and Selected Past Events:

Project Write Young Writers Workshop, Virginia 2024

World Read Aloud Virtual Storytimes, 2024

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

author reading
author and young reader

“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, 2022

Selected Interviews and Blog Posts