Michigan children’s authors Shutta Crum, Patricia Polacco and Deb Diesen all will have new books out soon. Polacco’s book, “The Junkyard Wonders” is semi-autobiographical and follows a special needs class as they confront taunts, self doubt and tragedy. A group of “retards”. When other kids call the class a junkyard the teacher takes them to a real one where the kids create objects from the found objects. An airplane constructed of trash becomes a centerpiece as the kids gang together to support each other. The story focuses also on what impact one teacher can make on a class. When she was young Polacco was considered a slow learner for a time and reading is still difficult for her. She turned inward and used her imagination and art skills to overcome her deficits in one area. Polacco both illustrates and writes her books and Publishers Weekly said her new book was ”not to be missed”. Polacco grew up in Williamston Michigan and now lives in Union City Michigan. Follow her schedule and updates on her website.

Shutta Crum follows a vertically challenged but brave young boy who joins the King as a page in her new book, “Thomas and the Dragon Queen” . When his fellow pages make fun of him, Thomas toughens up to earn knightship. He is then sent on a dangerous journey to save the King’s daughter. Along the way he must slay a dragon both metaphorically and literally before he can save the Princess from a dragon queen. Crum who is a transplanted Kentuckian has been a high school writing teacher, a librarian and lives in the Ann Arbor area. She is the author of more than 10 award winning books.

New York Times Best-selling author Deborah Diesen of Grand Ledge Michigan has the second installment of her Pout Pout fish series due out in August. Diesen’s newest book, “The Pout Pout Fish in the Deep Deep Dark”  takes her fish to the deep water where mmm. Deb is a wonderful blogger and its worth your while to follow her posts on mostly Michigan children’s authors and to read interviews with other authors. Diesen also has a second book out this summer about some radical kids who revolt and form the “Barefooted, Bad-Tempered Baby Brigade.” Diesen’s sense of poetic timing and the beautiful way she puts words together will almost have you singing along. Also read Diesen’s list of water-related children’s book with a Michigan connection on LansingOnlineNews.com