Donna M. McDine, Award-Winning Children's Author
I am an award-winning children's author, who continues to ignite the curiosity through reading!
Multi-award-winning children's author Donna McDine's creative side laid dormant for many years until her desire to write sparked in 2007. With four early reader children's picture books to her credit, A Sandy Grave (January 2014), Powder Monkey (May 2013), Hockey Agony (January 2013) and The Golden Pathway (August 2010), and two children's picture books, Dee and Deb Off They Go, Kindergarten First Day Jitters (December 2015) and Angel's Forever Home (March 2019), McDine’s adventures continue as she ignites the curiosity of children through reading. She writes and moms from her home in the historical hamlet Tappan, NY. McDine is a member of the SCBWI, New York State Reading Association, and Family Reading Partnership.
The most important thing the author wants readers to gain from her books:
My books take the reader on unique spell-bounding rides whether it be the adrenaline rush of escaping via the Underground Railroad, the slip of the ice beneath your skates, the harsh reality of the Royal Navy Press Gangs, the discovery of whale poachers at the beach, experience the first day of kindergarten nervousness or follow the journey of a rescued dog in finding his forever home. The roller coaster action in each escapade will transport the reader into a specific time period. One never knows where they will end up, past or present. So come on in for a front row seat into my writing world.
Why the author is an authority on the subject of her books:
I have been writing for over 12 years and continue to hone my writing and research skills by attending writer's workshops and participating in critique groups. I am not an official authority on the subjects of my books, but I seek out experts in the subject field to ensure accuracy.
Awards:
Dee and Deb Off They Go, Kindergarten First Day Jitters ~ Purple Dragonfly Book Award Honorable Mention 5 & Younger, Story Monster Approval 2016
Powder Monkey ~ Purple Dragonfly Book 2015, 1st Place Historical Fiction, Story Monster Approval 2014
A Sandy Grave ~ Purple Dragonfly Book 2014 Awards 1st Place Picture Books 6 and Older, The Beach Book Festival 2014 Awards Honorable Mention, Story Monster Approval 2014
Hockey Agony ~ 2014 New England Book Festival Children's Books Honorable Mention, Purple Dragonfly Book Award Honorable Mention, Story Monster Approval 2014
The Golden Pathway ~ Readers Favorite 2012 International Book Awards Honorable Mention Children K-3rd General, Literary Classics 2011 Silver Award Recipient Picture Book Early Reader, Literary Classics 2011 Finalist Picture Book Early Reader, Literary Classics 2011 Seal of Approval Picture Book Early Reader, 77th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition – Honorable Mention – Children’s/Young Adult Fiction
Angel's Forever Home ~ 2019 Purple Dragonfly Honorable Mention Picture Books Six and Older
Website:
Social Media:
Speaking Engagements and School Presentations:
Invite award-winning children’s author, Donna McDine to your school for a fun day of hands-on workshops, assembly or Skype visit. Prior to Donna’s school visit, she will meet with you in-person or discuss via telephone your curriculum and how best to structure the workshop or assembly around your state guidelines.
Offerings:
Presentation: How a Book Comes to Be
Workshop 1: The Golden Pathway, Powder Monkey or Hockey Agony Educator Guides are comprehensive across the curriculum-based teaching tools where the educator selects one activity for student engagement.
Workshop 2: Meet the author, journal writing and Q&A
Workshop 3: What Happens Next or Non-fiction Graphic Organizer
Presentation Audience:
Preschool
Grades K-3
Grades 4-6
Experience:
11-100 appearances
Location:
New York
Willing to travel
Book Type:
Picture book
Children's Fiction
Tween/YA Fiction
Topics:
Animals/Wildlife
Bullying
History
Sports/Sports Psychology