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Books for children celebrating
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DOWN UNDER THE PIER
THEY DON’T KNOW WHAT WE KNOW—TO SLIP DOWN THE STAIRS WHEN THE TIDE IS LOW, AWAY FROM IT ALL, WHERE ALMOST NOBODY GOES.
There’s lots of fun to be had up on the pier—the Ferris wheel, cotton candy, the carousel—but it’s down under the pier, at low tide, where the real magic can be found.
Children are invited to experience the fantastical realm of the natural world, from mussels and barnacles to kelp and seashells, all hiding mere steps away from the lights and games of the pier.
A brief guide to some common creatures of the intertidal community can be found at the back of the book, the opportunity for learning a welcome supplement to Beckerman’s poetic adventure and Sumpter’s equally enchanting illustrations.
Personally signed books are available at Children's Book World and can be shipped anywhere.
Also available at Amazon and Bookshop (in support of indie bookstores)
WHEN THE SKY GLOWS
Illustrated by David Litchfield
Beach Lane Books/Simon & Schuster
September 2022
Celebrating the beauty and science of all the ways nature illuminates the sky, from rainbow and meteor showers, to fireflies and auroras, and the bonds made by those sharing the experiences.
CAVES
Illustrated by Kalen Chock
Scholastic
October 2022
A poetic exploration of one of nature's most curious ecosystems.
Events.
Friday, May 16 2020
Virtual author visit at Apex Elementary School, Apex, North Carolina
Sunday, June 7 10-10:30 AM PDT 2020
Virtual book celebration party on Crowdcast.
Wednesday, Feb 3 WORLD READ ALOUD DAY 2021
Will Rogers Elementary
West Elementary
Wiesbrook Elementary
St. Paul the Apostle Elementary
Mission Viejo Christian School
Webster Elementary Malibu
Wednesday, Feb 10 2021
7:30 PM Mountain Time
Bedtime story time at Second Star to the Right books.
March 1, 2021
Read Across America
Merriam School 2nd grade
June 4, 2021
Down Under the Pier Summer Kick-off Virtual School Tour
Apex Elementary School 2nd grade
Clinton Ave Elementary School 1st grade
Short Hills Elementary School 1st grade
October 1, 2021
Virtual Classroom Visit
Larchmont Charter School TK
Coming up: World Read Aloud Day 2022
Please email me if you are interested in a free author visit on February 2, 2022.
Limited availability.
Virtual author visit at Apex Elementary School, Apex, North Carolina
Sunday, June 7 10-10:30 AM PDT 2020
Virtual book celebration party on Crowdcast.
Wednesday, Feb 3 WORLD READ ALOUD DAY 2021
Will Rogers Elementary
West Elementary
Wiesbrook Elementary
St. Paul the Apostle Elementary
Mission Viejo Christian School
Webster Elementary Malibu
Wednesday, Feb 10 2021
7:30 PM Mountain Time
Bedtime story time at Second Star to the Right books.
March 1, 2021
Read Across America
Merriam School 2nd grade
June 4, 2021
Down Under the Pier Summer Kick-off Virtual School Tour
Apex Elementary School 2nd grade
Clinton Ave Elementary School 1st grade
Short Hills Elementary School 1st grade
October 1, 2021
Virtual Classroom Visit
Larchmont Charter School TK
Coming up: World Read Aloud Day 2022
Please email me if you are interested in a free author visit on February 2, 2022.
Limited availability.
School Visits.
I love visiting classrooms and taking kids on a virtual field trip "down under the pier." I share photos of my real life inspiration, take them through the process of a first messy draft through revisions, talk about book design and the job of the illustrator, and share my excitement of going on adventures in nature, followed up with a fun video exploring under the pier at low tide.
Please email me if you would like me to visit with your students.
Please email me if you would like me to visit with your students.
Nell took the time to preview my students' questions prior to her virtual visit and answer them, addressing each child by name. Nell easily engaged my kids and connected with them throughout her visit - which is no easy task when trying to communicate across distance and Zoom. Following her visit, children wrote "Thank You" cards to Nell - one student dictating that her book was "the greatest book I've ever heard in my life!"
It was truly a treat to have Nell join our class, sharing her writing process from the first notes she jotted down in a sketchbook, to her many drafts saved on her computer. My goal was that children be inspired, engaged, and also learn that writing is a process that involves working collaboratively with others, creating several drafts, and that stories can come from anywhere - especially places closest to your heart. Nell conveyed all this and more with our young authors and illustrators.
Sara Lev
TK Teacher, Larchmont Charter School
My students and I were lucky enough to have Nell read her wonderful book, Down Under The Pier, to us. We loved the story as well as the information from the Q&A at the end of the free virtual visit. Nell was lively and engaging from start to finish. The fact that my 1st graders were attentive the entire time is a testament to the talent and passion of the author. The book was also beautifully illustrated.
Shauntrell Leaks
1st grade teacher, Clinton Elementary School, Compton, CA
The kids were totally enthralled while you were reading and were anxious to participate with you during the Q & A section. They talked about the book for the rest of the day, so I'd say you were a definite hit!
Elaine Cimino
2nd grade teacher, Wiesbrook Elementary School, IL
Mrs. Nell Beckerman visited my virtual TK classroom and turning our day into a magical adventure with her beautifully written and illustrated book Down Under the Pier! My children were riveted to the journey from above to below where they could actually feel the breeze on their faces, smell the ocean, and imagine the sand between their toes.This special book can be utilized to spark so many ideas for STEAM, phonics, Writer's Workshop lessons, Reggio-Inspired curriculum, and beyond! Nell even provided us with a virtual field trip of an actual visit to the Santa Monica pier!
Jacqueline Papale
TK teacher, Webster School, Malibu, CA
Shauntrell Leaks
1st grade teacher, Clinton Elementary School, Compton, CA
The kids were totally enthralled while you were reading and were anxious to participate with you during the Q & A section. They talked about the book for the rest of the day, so I'd say you were a definite hit!
Elaine Cimino
2nd grade teacher, Wiesbrook Elementary School, IL
Mrs. Nell Beckerman visited my virtual TK classroom and turning our day into a magical adventure with her beautifully written and illustrated book Down Under the Pier! My children were riveted to the journey from above to below where they could actually feel the breeze on their faces, smell the ocean, and imagine the sand between their toes.This special book can be utilized to spark so many ideas for STEAM, phonics, Writer's Workshop lessons, Reggio-Inspired curriculum, and beyond! Nell even provided us with a virtual field trip of an actual visit to the Santa Monica pier!
Jacqueline Papale
TK teacher, Webster School, Malibu, CA
The picture with the barnacles and the game place - this is a kid who didn't hold a pencil in the beginning of the year and didn't draw a THING. So cool to see! Sara Lev, TK Teacher
Reviews.
"Beckerman’s lightly repetitive, sometimes rhyming text imbues the narrative with a gentle surge and pull (“They don’t know what we know— / To slip down the stairs when the tide is low”), breaking in small moments of wonder and discovery...The book concludes with a simple, engaging illustrated guide to some of the sea creatures that can be found in the intertidal zone. A dreamy tribute to summer days—and sea life and the spaces in-between."
Kirkus Reviews
"This colorful celebration of nature’s wonders and children’s curiosity showcases the beauty of the outdoors, and its sight words and easy-to-understand language make it ideal for newly independent readers."
Booklist
Named to the Children's Book Council's March Hot Off the Press List
"Such a beautiful book! I felt the delight of the children exploring the enchanted watery world below the pier."
Virtual Handselling: Recommendations from Bookshop Santa Cruz Head Children's Buyer Publisher's Weekly
"A colorful and exuberant celebration of playing at the beach."
Virtual Handselling: Recommendations from Book Passage's Children's Buyer Publisher's Weekly
"...Beckerman's descriptions truly shine with the deep and lasting impressions of new discovery."
Celebrating Picture Books
"This book will be read again and again by kids (and adults) that want to be transported. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!"
Perfect Picture Book Friday
"This book is such a STUNNER!"
Little Books Big World
"The poetic and lyrical language perfectly capture both the fast-paced excitement on the pier as well as the mysterious beauty of the intertidal zone."
A Field Trip Life
"Beautifully written text celebrates the simple wonders and delights that piers offer."
Book Nerd Mommy
