Joyce Sidman facts for kids

Joyce Sidman is an amazing American author who writes books for children. She is especially known for her beautiful poetry and stories about nature. Her books have won many important awards, making her a favorite writer for young readers.

About Joyce Sidman

Joyce Sidman was born on June 4, 1956, in Minnesota, USA. She grew up loving words and nature. She went to Wesleyan University and earned a degree in German. This shows her love for learning and different cultures.

Her Life and Family

Joyce Sidman is married and lives in Wayzata, Minnesota. She shares her home with her husband and their two sons. Living in Minnesota, a state known for its beautiful outdoors, often inspires her writing about nature.

Awards and Recognition

Joyce Sidman has received several big awards for her books. In 2011, she was a runner-up for the Newbery Medal. This award is given to the author of the most outstanding contribution to American literature for children.

Later, in 2019, she won the prestigious Sibert Medal. This award celebrates the best nonfiction book for children. Winning these awards shows how much her stories and poems are loved and respected.

Her Books for Young Readers

Joyce Sidman writes many different kinds of books for children. She often combines poetry with facts about nature and science. Her books help young readers learn about the world in a fun and engaging way.

Exploring Nature and Science

Many of Sidman's books focus on the natural world. She writes about animals, plants, and the amazing things found in nature. Her poems and stories make science exciting and easy to understand.

• Just Us Two: Poems about Animal Dads (2000) teaches about different animal fathers.
• Ubiquitous: Celebrating Nature's Survivors (2010) explores creatures that have adapted to survive.
• Swirl by Swirl: Spirals in Nature (2011) looks at spirals found everywhere in nature.
• Round (2017) explores the many round shapes in our world. This book even received Mathical Honors for its connection to math.

Poems and Important Lessons

Joyce Sidman also writes poems that explore feelings and important life lessons. Her words are often thoughtful and help readers think about different ideas.

• This Is Just to Say: Poems of Apology and Forgiveness (2007) is a unique book. It features poems written as apologies, showing how words can help us make things right.
• Dark Emperor & Other Poems of the Night is another collection of her poems.

Inspiring True Stories

Sidman has also written books based on real people. These books bring history and science to life for young readers.

• The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science (2018) tells a true story. It's about Maria Merian, a brave artist and scientist. She studied insects and changed how people saw the natural world.

Joyce Sidman continues to inspire young readers with her wonderful books. She helps them see the beauty and wonder in the world around them.