Author Valerie Bolling and Editor Alexandra McKenzie will present a 1-hour webinar on writing STEAM PBs.
Event Details
This free webinar is made possible by a grant from SCBWI and the Authors Coalition of America.
Date: Saturday, February 13, 2027
Time: 10:00 – 11:00 am EST
Webinar Description
Author Valerie Bolling and Editor Alexandra McKenzie will share how they worked together to create the STEAM-inspired board book, CHLOE'S COMMUNITY GARDEN, as part of the STEAMWORKS series from Charlesbridge Publishing. Valerie will show how she included multiple hooks and wove in content standards to write an age-appropriate and educational board book. Alex will share how the STEAMWORKS series integrates STEAM educational content with engaging storytelling in board books and picture books. Learn how you can spark children’s curiosity by combining STEAM topics with stories that address everyday questions and problems that children might not know are full of STEAM!
Recording
The webinar recording will be emailed a few days following the event to view for 30 days.
Faculty
Author Valerie Bolling
Valerie Bolling is an award-winning author/educator who is passionate about creating stories in which all children can see themselves and feel seen and heard, valued and validated. She’s the author of 15 books for children, including SCBWI Crystal Kite Award winner, LET’S DANCE!; Kirkus Prize Finalist, TOGETHER WE SWIM; and Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, I SEE COLOR. A graduate of Tufts University and Teachers College, Columbia University, Valerie was an educator for 30 years and is active in the kidlit community. She also teaches picture book classes for Boyds Mills and Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance.
Editor Alexandra McKenzie
Alexandra McKenzie is the editor and program director for the STEAMWORKS series at Charlesbridge Publishing. She holds a B.A. in English and a M.Ed. in early childhood education, both from Boston College, and a Masters in Library and Information Science from PennWest University. As a former educator, she is passionate about books with learning opportunities woven into engaging and child-driven stories. She strives to create books that give every reader a voice and every child the opportunity to see themselves on the page. In addition to her work on the STEAMWORKS series, Alexandra offers editorial, production editorial, and managing editorial consulting services.