books, big ideas, & other bits for young minds
WINX's EVOLUTION - PART 1: Michael Crichton’s novel, Dragon Teeth, features two scientists fiercely racing to be first to dig up strange, enormous fossils in the American West. Reading this fact-based story of discovery-at-all-costs inspired me to write Winx Thinks – Dinosaurs! Click the title to keep reading.
WINX's EVOLUTION - PART 2: Winx’s time travel dilemmas follow the process of science and discovery. Here are some examples of how I fluffed and buffed the traditional lab report format (hypothesis, materials, procedure, results, analysis) to structure main plot points and add plenty of problems. Click the title to read the list of details.
WINX's EVOLUTION - PART 3: Many of the book's key themes, plot points, and dialogue align with true moments in the history of paleontology. Click the title to read the examples.
WINX's EVOLUTION - PART 4: Like any solid book, distinct storytelling elements give Winx Thinks – Dinosaurs! a bit of literary heft. Click the title to read the list of distilled examples.
EXPLORE the STORY! EXTEND the FUN! Readers excited by adventuring with Winx may also enjoy discovering the historical fun facts and ah-ha moments of science woven into many scenes. So, I’ve created activities to extend the story experience. Click the title for downloads, freebies, & more.
Katie Engen 