In the fall of 2024, my new book, A DINOSAUR FOR WASHINGTON: THE TRUE STORY OF SUCIASAURUS will be published by Sasquatch Books/Little Bigfoot Books in Seattle. It's been a long but lovely journey bringing this adventures story to life. 

It begins with fossil hunters Jim Goedert and David Starr as they land their seaplane in Fossil Bay on Washington State's Sucia island. They are in search of more common fossils when they find the only dinosaur fossil ever unearthed in the Evergreen State. 

As promised, they turn the important fossil over to the Burke Museum in Seattle, where Dr. Christian Sidor and Dr. Brandon Peecook set out to prepare and identify just what prehistoric creature left the fossil behind. 

It's been such a joy to create a new dinosaur book--my sixth paleontological title. I have loved dinosaurs since I was seven and I never outgrew the passion. 

Thankfully, my good friend Rick Spears is illustrating this new book--a man I trust to do dinosaurs accurately. Plus he's great fun to work with.  

So look for notices soon on the publication dates. And thanks for caring about my blogs, whenever you do.  : ) 

PS  The image is a rough Rick Spears sketch we didn't wind up using in final layouts. But I love it, so I am sharing it with you. 

 BOOK REVIEW

Dear Mothman

Robin Gow. Amulet, $18.99 (320p) ISBN 978-1-4197-6440-0

When transgender 6^th grader Noah (born Nora) looses his first love Lewis (born Ella) to a fatal car crash, he is lost. Gone is the only person who really understood him—the only person who knew who he really was. Emotionally scrambled, Noah turns to the Mothman for comfort—Lewis’s favorite cryptid.

In journal entry letters disguised as science fair research, Noah explores more than a mysterious creature. He explores grief, loneliness, gender confusion and his need to fit in, without losing his true identity.  Each day, Noah writes a note and leaves it at the edge of the forest, hoping Mothman might read it, missing  Lewis as much as he does.

Through his letters, we understand that Noah didn’t ask to be a girl or a boy but found himself out of sync with his female body. Lewis was also mismatched but felt more at ease with the transition. Lewis’s courage gave Noah hope, until Lewis passed away.

A kinship with the monster people didn’t believe in helped Noah find the courage to risk new friendships and new love. That love, helped him share his truth with the rest of the world.

Being a transgender kid in today’s political environment can be hard. But Gow’s tender revelations just might help readers understand the need for compassion and the desire for acceptance…no matter how different they might think they are.

Top notch storytelling with heart and importance.  I loved it.