Welcome
If you are a reader, parent, teacher, librarian, or friend, I hope you enjoy your visit with me here. I have written more than 200 books for children from preschool to middle school, including fiction, nonfiction, early readers, and biographies. Look around to find out more about me, my books, and my author visits. And treat each day as an opportunity to explore, learn, create, play, and discover. 
 
Good News! 
Alternative Energy (Green Generation Series, Compass Point Books, 2010) was named one of Science Books and Films' Best Books of 2009! 
alternative energy cover
The Inside Story/Bookworms series (Marshall Cavendish/Benchmark, 2007) was chosen to be in the Top Ten Early Literacy Series in the October 1, 2009 edition of Booklist!  
inside story--igloo
   
Recent Releases 
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SAVE WALTON POND
Winding Trails, Inc.
32 pages, 
2010
I wrote this children's book in conjunction with Winding Trails Recreation Association, a beautiful oasis of nature, fun, and education in Farmington, Connecticut. Winding Trails is in the process of preserving the health of a pond on their property by rebuilding the dams and cleaning out the mud. Volunteers are helping relocate the wildlife, including turtles, frogs, and mussels.

To find out more about the effort to save Walton Pond, click here to visit the Winding Trails site.

 

   
   

 light cover

levers and pulleys cover

SCIENCE EXPLORER SERIES
Cherry Lake Publishing
32 pages,
Grades 4-8
Super Cool Science Experiments: LIGHT, 2010
Super Cool Science Experiments: LEVERS AND PULLEYS, 2010  
These books are jam-packed with science experiments based on the scientific method. The colorful experiments of LIGHT help brighten young minds, while LEVERS AND PULLEYS discusses the physics of life's ups and downs! 

Read about this series and other Nonfiction for Older Children.

   
   
 we go cover

BOOKWORMS: WE GO!, 2010
Marshall Cavendish Benchmark
Grades K-2
At the emergent level, these books cover all the vehicles of the land, sea, and sky! 
Titles:
Boats
Buses
Cars
Planes
Trains
Trucks
 

Read about this series and other Nonfiction for Younger Children.

   
   
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BOOKWORMS: SAFE KIDS, 2010
Marshall Cavendish Benchmark
Grades K-2
These early level books keep kids aware and safe wherever they go.
Titles:
Fire Safety
Food Safety
Safety at Home
Safety on the Go
School Safety
Water Safety
 

Read about this series and other Nonfiction for Younger Children.

   
   
 nature cycle cover

BOOKWORMS: NATURE'S CYCLES, 2010
Marshall Cavendish Benchmark
Grades K-2
Fluent readers will enjoy observing the many cycles and systems of nature. 
Titles:
Animals
Day and Night
Food Chains
Plants
Seasons
Water
 

Read about this series and other Nonfiction for Younger Children.

   
   
 alternative energy cover

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY: BEYOND FOSSIL FUELS
Compass Point Books, 2010
Green Generation Series
64 pages, Grades 6-7
The world needs energy...but where do we get it from? Fossil fuel sources are running low. It is time to seek out GREEN alternatives. The book discusses the pros and cons of solar, wind, geothermal, hydro, and biomass as other choices for the future and what kids can do as the next generation of energy consumers.

Read about this series and other Nonfiction for Older Children.

   
   
Corn Aplenty cover 

CORN APLENTY
Random House Books for Young Readers
Step Into Reading: Step 1

Illustrated by Melissa Iwai
32 pages, ages 4-6
Hardcover Library Binding &
Trade Paperback available
Corn isn't the only thing that grows in this story. So does a relationship between a farmer and the children who pass his farm. Repeated patterns, colorful details, and simple sentences in this little book teach children about the growing process of corn...and friendship!

Look at these other early readers by Dana Meachen Rau.

   
   

ace it writing cover

 ace it creative cover

ACE YOUR WRITING ASSIGNMENT
Enslow Elementary, 2009
Ace It! Information Literacy Series
48 pages, Grades 3-5
Words are like bricks. With them, you can build something amazing. But you have to take it step by step. From prewriting to publishing, this book breaks down the writing process into fun stages of discovery.

ACE YOUR CREATIVE WRITING PROJECT
Enslow Elementary, 2009
Ace It! Information Literacy Series
48 pages, Grades 3-5
Who would think an innocent piece of blank paper could be scary? It can be if you don't know what to write! Unpack all of the ideas you've collected and get to work. All of these creative sparks can be formed into creative writing as unique as you. 

Read about this series and other Nonfiction for Older Children.

   
   

 rocks and minerals cover

elec and mag cover

ROCKS AND MINERALS 
Cherry Lake Publishing, 2009
Real World Science Series
32 pages, Grades 2-5
Learn about Earth's rockin' recipes as it mixes elements together to form minerals, and mixes minerals together to form rocks. Try the science challenges and test your knowledge of crystals, gems, erosion, caves, volcaones, mining, and all things that ROCK! 

ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM
Cherry Lake Publishing, 2009
Real World Science Series
32 pages, Grades 2-5
Ready, set, flow! Learn about the way electrons move and get the "current" events on electricity. "Come on over" to find why magnets attract and how we use them everyday. This book is filled with science challenges and fascinating facts on electricity and magnets.

Read about this series and other Nonfiction for Older Children.

   


Keep an eye out for...

Surprising Science Series, Marshall Cavendish Bookworms, 2011 

For Real? Series, Marshall Cavendish Bookworms, 2011   

Nigeria, Cherry Lake Publishing Culture Explorer Series, 2011

Flip Flop! Random House Step Into Reading Series, 2011 

  

How to pronounce my name
Teaching Books.net 
 
Visit site 

My books in the news...

Author Teaches Students about Ideas and the Creative Process
Newington Town Crier, June 3, 1010 

Read the full article 

Award-Winning Author-in-Residence Visits J.F.K. Elementary School
Windsor Journal, April 2, 1010 

Read the full article 

Encouraging Beginning Readers with Nonfiction
by Alicia Eames, Curriculum Connections
School Library Journal, October 6, 2009  
Read the full article 
 

Welles Turner Library Visit, Glastonbury CT 
Glastonbury Reminder-News, July 22, 2008 

Read the full article
 

Fish Tales, Tugs and Sails segment 
Originally aired July 22, 2009 on
Better Connecticut, WFSB Channel 3  
View the segment 
 

Dana Meachen Rau: Making the Pieces Fit 
by Becky Rodia
Teaching PreK-8 Magazine, January 2001  
Read the full article  
 

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