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Mary Casanova is an award-winning children’s author of novels and picture books. Many of her books stem from her life on the Minnesota-Canadian border; yet some of her stories have taken her as far away as France, Norway, and Belize for research. Whatever the setting for her books, Casanova writes stories that matter–and stories that kids can’t put down.

BookHounds Invites: Mary Casanova
Multigenre Author for Young Readers

In April of 2016, Gianna interviewed Mary Casanova as part of the BookHounds Invites series. Watch the interview below:

Mary Casanova, a delightful lady from the North Woods in Minnesota, took time to chat with us, BookHounds, about her newest book Wake Up, Island!, her previous works, what it is like to be an author, and so much more.

“My goal has never changed from the beginning.  I want to write stories that matter and books that readers can’t put down.”

The video production is not great since it’s from the Periscope App, but it’s worth it.

Show Notes:

• Mary’s Introduction
• Reading of Wake Up, Island!
  • Illustrated by Nick Wroblewski, woodcut printmaker

“Our lives are like fireflies, brilliant flashes of light in the darkness, here and gone. Each life matters. Listen to your dreams and giftings; take risks, live fully, make a difference.”

-Mary Casanova, her website

• The story of the magical morning Mary wrote Wake Up, Island!
• Mary’s goal in her writing
• Mary’s view of what it’s like to be an author.
  • First book–Moose Tracks
  • Working for American Girl
  • Traveling for research
• Her typical day when she is at home.
• Mary’s most rewarding thing as a mom.
• Mary’s advice to writers, young and old.

“My hope is that this inspires parents and kids to just say, ‘Let’s get outside. Let’s go explore nature.’ “

–Mary Casanova, author of Wake Up, Island!

Books by Mary Casanova

The following is a list of books by Mary Casanova. Links are Amazon affiliate links and Family Fun Twin Cities receives a small commission off of sales from these links.

Picture Books

• Wake Up, Island
• One-Dog Canoe
• One-Dog Sleigh
• The Day Dirk Yeller Came to Town
• Utterly Otterly Day
• Utterly Otterly Day
• Some Dog!
• Some Cat!
• The Hunter

Young Adult Novels

• Frozen
• Ice-Out

Historical Fiction Novels

• Curse of a Winter Moon
• The Klipfish Code
• Riot

Contemporary & American Girl™ Novels

• Cecile: Gates of Gold
• Chrissa
• Chrissa Stands Strong
• Grace
• Grace Stirs it Up
• McKenna
• McKenna, Ready to Fly
• Moose Tracks
• Stealing Thunder
• When Eagles Fall
• Wolf Shadows

Dog Watch Series

• Dog Watch, book 1: Trouble in Pembroke
• Dog Watch, book 2: Dog-napped
• Dog Watch, book 3: Danger at Snow Hill
• Dog Watch, book 4: To Catch a Burglar
• Dog Watch, book 5: Extreme Stunt Dogs
• Dog Watch, book 6: The Turtle Hatching Mystery

*Book links are Amazon affiliate links.
*Bio and Photos used with permission from Mary Casanova

Read More of Mary Casanova’s Bio:

Used with Permission:

Her book awards include: American Library Association “Notable,” Aesop Accolades by the American Folklore Society, Parents’ Choice “Gold” Award, Booklist Editor Choice, and two Minnesota Book Awards. Her books frequently land on state children’s choice book master lists across the country. “The greatest reward for me,” Casanova states, “is when a young reader tells me she or he loves one of my books. For me, it’s all about communicating writer-to-reader through a character and story.”

Casanova grew up in a family of ten children in St. Paul, Minnesota. In a bustling camp-like atmosphere, Casanova found that writing became her voice. “Words are my paintbrush,” she explains, “my way of exploring the world around me.”

Now, with 31 books published and many more under contract and forthcoming, she divides her time between writing and traveling. Nationally and internationally, at schools and conferences, Casanova shares her love of writing and reading with children and adults.

Articles Related to Mary Casanova

• World Read Aloud Day
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