2024-2025 texas bluebonnet award master list

​NCTE 2022 Orbis pictus Award for outstanding nonfiction for children
recommended book
​

Kirkus Best books of 2022
​

New York Public Library Best Books 2022
​

"atmospheric...breakthaking"
-STARRED KIRKUS REVIEW 

"Exciting"
​-Starred School Library journal review

"A high-impact introduction to the lure of caves"
-starred publishers weekly review

Picture

how can i visit a cave?

Anyone can go in a cave! You don't need special training, equipment, or skills to go in a show cave. Show caves are run by organizations who give tours where you will have a lot of fun and learn a ton. 

Click here for a great list of show caves all over the USA https://cavern.com/directory/

You can also join the National Speleological Society for even more information about experiencing caves ​https://caves.org/

caves

Illustrated by Kalen Chock
Scholastic
October 4, 2022
​
Personalized signed copies from Children's Book World
Order from your local indie bookstore
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

A masterful exploration of one of nature's most curious ecosystems, Caves is a magical journey into subterranean wonders.
​
In the shade of the woods is a hill with a hole. Beaconing black. Goosebump chills. Excitement and fear battle. What will win? You want to go in... do you dare?

Using evocative storytelling, Nell Cross Beckerman urges children to explore one of nature's most curious ecosystems. Dramatic, poetic language guides kids through different caves around the world while nonfiction text allows for deeper understanding.

Debut illustrator Kalen Chock's stunning illustrations will astonish readers, as each new page brings another delightful surprise.

Extensive backmatter includes an author's note, best practices for safe cave exploration, and additional information about the caves featured in the book.
​
An ideal choice for nature lovers, future explorers, and fans of Jason Chin and Kate Messner.

classroom spelunking guide

writing class for picture book authors

Are you a fan of lyrical picture books about nature, or just curious about my writing process? Take my WRITING NATURE WITH ALL FIVE SENSES class and I will take you behind the scenes of how CAVES was written.

Interview about caves and when the sky glows