BookHounds Author Directory

Molly Beth Griffin is a local children’s book writer. A true local, she has grown up in Minnesota, attended college in the Twin Cities, and currently lives in Minneapolis with her partner and two kids. Besides writing children’s books and poetry, she teaches writing classes at the loft and makes visits to schools. Gianna has interviewed Molly Beth a few times over the years, and we have included those interviews here.

**Griffin’s books include the titles below. We have included Bookshop affiliate links whenever possible and Amazon affiliate links when not possible. FFTC receives a small commissions on purchases through our site.

Newest Book

Molly Beth’s newest book, Ten Beautiful Things (illustrated by Maribel LeChuga) released on January 12, 2021. Download this activity pack from MollyBethGriffin.com to find fun activities to go with the book, including  a maze, a word find, a place to list your own 10 beautiful things and coloring pages.

A heartfelt story of changing perspectives, set in the Midwest. Ten Beautiful Things gently explores loss, a new home, and finding beauty wherever you are.

Lily and her grandmother search for ten beautiful things as they take a long car ride to Iowa and Lily’s new home with Gran. At first, Lily sees nothing beautiful in the April slush and cloudy sky. Soon though, Lily can see beauty in unexpected places, from the smell of spring mud to a cloud shaped like a swan to a dilapidated barn. A furious rainstorm mirrors Lily’s anxiety, but as it clears Lily discovers the tenth beautiful thing: Lily and Gran and their love for each other.

More Books By Molly Beth Griffin

• Loon Baby. Molly offers activity sheets to go with her book on her website. Scroll down toward the bottom of this link page to find them.
• Rhoda’s Rock Hunt. We love this book, both for the shared love of collecting rocks and for the concept of letting go of things that are a burden. Read Joy’s review of this book here.
• Silhouette of a Sparrow – Molly Beth’s young adult novel.
• Find even more books by Molly Beth Griffin on our Bookshop page.

Meet Molly Beth Griffin: A Minnesota Mom and Published Author

Keep that in mind when I tell you the next part of the story.

I decided to take a writing course at The Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis. I was so excited and nervous about taking this class. The teacher was a published author of children and young adult fiction: Molly Beth Griffin.

I was in awe. And yet, when I walked into the class, I decided I was going to act cool. I walked into the room with the thought, Oh, yeah. This is no big deal. When really I was sitting in the back row thinking, you’re so cool. I hope you notice me.  Can I have your autograph? When can I talk to you? What would I say? You are published! Acting cool means you don’t get to actually talk to the cool teacher, so instead you email her.

So I did. And because I want you to meet this really awesome Minnesota Mom and Published Author, let me introduce you to Molly Beth Griffin.

Molly is a self-proclaimed mostly-stay-at-home mom of a 3 1/2-year-old son and a baby on the way in July. Let me just interject here that she is adorably pregnant. She says that she is huge, but she’s not. However, when you can’t bend over to tie your shoes, I will attest, you do feel gigantic.

As a writer for all ages and genres, most often you will find Molly’s stories connect modern children with their landscapes. Her two published books are Loon Baby–a beautiful picture book about a baby loon learning to dive set in the northwoods–published by Houghton Mifflin in 2011, and Silhouette of a Sparrow–her YA novel about a girl coming of age set in 1926 in Minnesota–published by Milkweed Editions in 2012. (YA means Young Adult–although I’m sure you already knew that.  And just a word of advice with this novel, engage in discussions regarding this book. As a parent, I confess that I sometimes don’t get into discussions about all the books that my girls are reading, but Silhouette of a Sparrow is one  with which you will want to interact)

Molly grew up in Excelsior swimming in Lake Minnetonka, moved to Iowa for college, and moved back to the Twin Cities.  Her family loves the Powderhorn Park area of Minneapolis. Since they live close to the park, they take advantage of all the different activities it provides from simple picnicking in the summer or skating in the winter to the jubilant summer festivals of MayDay, Independence Day, and the Art Show and the winter Art Sled Rally.

You never know where you might find Molly: maybe in her kitchen trying a new recipe while reciting the soundtrack of Finding Nemo with her son, maybe at the park, or maybe just on a random patio sipping a cool drink. You could potentially find her at Namaste Cafe in Uptown.  Her family has known the owners before they had the restaurant, and her son has been eating Mango Lassi and Chole practically since before he was born (which is amazing since I have no idea what those words mean let alone how to say them!).  Molly recommends the chai if you ever decide to venture there.

Sometime in the future, Molly is hoping you will find her in a canoe on Minnehaha Creek paddling from Lake Minnetonka to the Falls. She is dreaming of the day when her kids can sit still for a long canoe ride. One thing is for sure, you will not find her down by Mill City on a Segway.

Even though she is an author, Molly is a parent just like us. She knows the effort it takes to be intentional with your child and the privilege we have to live in the Twin Cities while raising our families.

This is what Molly likes about the Twin Cities in her own words.

We have a fantastic literary community and a vibrant arts scene in general.  I also love that we have beautiful parks and lakes right in the middle of the city — my child can have the cultural opportunities of urban life and still see an eagle on his way to preschool.

Yes, Molly! We agree! Thanks for sharing your books with us and your love for the Twin Cities.

Don’t forget to look for Molly’s books Loon Baby and Silhouette of a Sparrow in some of our favorite local bookstores.

FFTC BookHounds with Molly Beth Griffin and Cheryl Blackford

Originally published by Gianna Kordatzky on June 22, 2017

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BookHounds Invites Molly Beth Griffin

Originally Published by Gianna Kordatzky on: May 6, 2016 at 12:13

Today we wanted to introduce you to Molly Beth Griffin, a local author and Minneapolis mom of two little cuties (who aren’t so little anymore!).  We talk about Rhoda’s Rock Hunt because I love this book!  And at the time of this recording it was one of her newest books.

Show notes for this interview

We have created a list of Molly Beth’s book recommendations on Bookshop.org. Purchasing books through this link not only gives Family Fun Twin Cities a small commission, but you can shop through your favorite local bookstore.

Discussion Points

1. Houghton Mifflin
2. Milkweed Editions
3. Minnesota Historical Society Press
4. The Loft
5. Open Book
6. Star of the North Book Award 
7. Maud Hart Lovelace Book Award
8. Jennifer Bell, Illustrator of Rhoda’s Rock Hunt

FFTC BookHounds with Molly Beth Griffin and Cheryl Blackford, June 21, 2017Save

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