Trisha Speed Shaskanl

Trisha Speed Shaskan grew up in Winona, Minnesota. Her childhood home was one house from a park, one hill from a creek, and a ten-minute bike ride to the Mississippi River—all places she loved to explore. As an author, Trisha continues to explore a wide range of topics. She’s written 40 books for primary students. I am an Octopus: The Life of a Common Octopus dives into the deep, dark sea. If You were a Compound Word follows the path of the Mississippi River. Honestly, Red Riding Hood was Rotten! : The Story of Little Red Riding Hood as told by The Wolf puts a new twist on an old tale.

For over fifteen years, Trisha’s work has integrated her passion for literature, teaching, and children. She has taught creative writing to students at every level from kindergarten to graduate-school. She worked as a teacher assistant for Minneapolis Public Schools. Trisha was a bookseller at Wild Rumpus Books for Young Readers, and worked in a children’s library. In 2007, she received her MFA in creative writing from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Trisha won the 2009 McKnight Artist Fellowship for Writers, Loft Award in Children’s Literature/Older Children to work on her middle-grade novel, Sass.

When Trisha isn’t reading or writing, she enjoys swimming, playing music (drums and recently she’s learning to play the baritone ukulele), watching movies, traveling, and learning. But most of all, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family--especially with her husband, Stephen Shaskan, who is a children’s book author and illustrator. Trisha, Stephen, and their cat, Eartha, live in Minneapolis, Minnesota.




			Honestly, Red Riding Hood was Rotten! The Story of Little Red Riding Hood as told by The Wolf ISBN 978-1404866737 Seriously, Cinderella is SO Annoying! The Story of Cinderella as told by the Wicked Stepmother ISBN 978-1404866744 Was the Big Bad Wolf a victim of circumstance? Was Cinderella annoyingly chatty? Just because these classic stories are usually told from the protagonists' point of view doesn't mean the antagonists don't have their side of the story too. Make sure your readers have the whole story! The Other Side of the Story series Picture Window Books Illustrated by Gerald Guerlais 2011, grades Pre-K to 3



			Art Panels, BAM! Speech Bubbles, POW! Writing Your Own Graphic Novel illustrated by Stephen Shaskan Picture Window Books, 2011 grades 2 to 4, ISBN 978-1404860162 Ready to build a graphic novel? First, you’ll need the right tools. Open this title in the Writer’s Toolbox series and discover plenty of tips and tools to get you started. Soon you’ll be filling panels, boxes, and bubbles like a pro!



			What’s the Difference Between a Dolphin and a Porpoise? ISBN 978-1404855458 What’s the Difference Between a Turtle and a Tortoise? ISBN 978-1404855465 One animal has a long, sleek body. The other animal’s body is short and chubby. Do you know the differences between a dolphin and a porpoise? This realistically illustrated series describes similarities and differences in physical characteristics, diet, behavior, habitat, and more. What’s the Difference? series Picture Window Books illustrated by Bandelin-Dacey 2011, grades K to 3



			Around the World with the Percussion Family! ISBN 978-1404860445 The Brass Family on Parade! ISBN 978-1404860414 Keyboard Family Takes Center Stage! ISBN 978-1404860452 Opening Night with the Woodwind Family! ISBN 978-1404860421 The String Family in Harmony! ISBN 978-1404860438 Grab your ticket. BOOM! BOOM! Grab your passport. RAT-A-TAT-TAT! The Percussion family is packed and ready to go! See what makes them the most well-traveled musical family around. Narrated by the instruments themselves, the Musical Families series introduces readers to the unique looks and sounds of five musical instrument groups. Light-hearted text and groovy illustrations will captivate readers. Music Family series Picture Window Books illustrated by Robert Meganck 2011, grades K to 3



			I Am an Octopus: The Life of a Common Octopus ISBN 978-1404847293 I Am a Sea Horse: The Life of a Dwarf Sea Horse ISBN 978-1404847286 I live in a den and hunt my prey with venom. Zoom with me across the sea. I am a common octopus, and I have lots of things to show you! The I Live in the Ocean series asks the question: What’s it like to live in the deep, dark sea? In these beautiful fact-filled books, ocean animals tell the stories of their lives. I Live in the Ocean series Picture Window Books illustrated by Todd Ouren 2009, grades PreK to 2



			Betty and Baxter’s Batter Battle ISBN 978-1404848726 Beware! There is pancake batter in the air! It's a battle for the better batter. Will Betty beat Baxter, or Baxter beat Betty? The Fairies' First Flight ISBN 978-1404848757 To fly, fairies fan and flutter their wings. But they need a flying phrase, too. Will first-time fliers Flick and Flack find it? Read-it! Readers will delight children while strengthening their independent reading skills. They are simple and effective ways to get the reading results you want and the quality you need. With the guidance of literacy educators and reading specialists, these series combine the elements for success in reading with entertaining stories children love. Just select the appropriate color level and language for your readers, and watch them start on the amazing road to reading. Read-It! Readers: Tongue Twisters, Green Level Picture Window Books illustrated by Jisun Lee 2009, grades K to 3



			If You Were a Compound Word ISBN 978-1404847712 If You Were Alliteration ISBN 978-1404840973 If You Were a Capital Letter ISBN 978-1404855151 If You Were a Contraction ISBN 978-1404847729 If You Were Onomatopoeia ISBN 978-1404840980 If You Were a Plural Word ISBN 978-1404855168 If you were a compound word, you would be two words in one. You could take a house and a boat and make a HOUSEBOAT. You could take a boat that rows and make it a ROWBOAT. What else could you do if you were a compound word? Life as a word can be wild and a lot of work. Discover how these lexicons live and how they help build sentences. Word Fun series Picture Window Books illustrated by Sara Gray 2008 to 2010, grades 2 to 4



			If You Were a Plus Sign ISBN 978-1404847859 If You Were a Fraction ISBN 978-1404847910 If You Were a Minus Sign ISBN 978-1404847880 If You Were a Minute ISBN 978-1404852013 If you were a plus sign, you would add things together. You could add people and animals. You could add up and down or side to side. What else could you do if you were a plus sign? These entertaining and fun math books are perfect for reading aloud, or for reading alone. Primary math concepts are introduced using creative examples, easy to understand text and engaging art illustration. Math Fun series Picture Window Books illustrated by Francesca Carabelli 2009, grades 2 to 4



			If You Were a Divided-By Sign ISBN 978-1404851962 If You Were a Times Sign ISBN 978-1404852105 If you were a divided-by sign, you would divide things. You could divide pizza pies, presents, and stacks of cheese sandwiches. What else could you do if you were a divided-by sign? These entertaining and fun math books are perfect for reading aloud, or for reading alone. Primary math concepts are introduced using creative examples, easy to understand text and engaging art illustration. Math Fun series Picture Window Books illustrated by Sarah Dillard 2009, grades 2 to 4



			Math Fun written by Marcie Aboff and Trisha Speed Shaskan illustrated by Francesca Carabelli and Sarah Dillard Picture Window Books, 2009 grades 2 to 4, ISBN 978-1404856110 This compilation of Math Fun books is perfect for reading aloud, or for reading alone. Primary math concepts are introduced using creative examples, easy to understand text and engaging art illustration.
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