Linda Booth Sweeney
Concord, Massachusetts
I was born during an ice storm one New Year’s Eve. My siblings will never let me forget that my dad served burnt Spaghettios for dinner that night. As a kid, I always wanted to do anything the boys could do. I climbed trees (and have the scar to prove it). I played little league baseball. Dressed like a Minuteman, I was the first girl to march with the fife and drum corp. (Someday I’ll write a story about that).
Today I write fiction and non-fiction for kids, big and small. That means adults too! I’m also a complex systems expert and proud of it! Ms. Frizzle is my hero (see more below). My writing has appeared in numerous online platforms and magazines including PBS Learning Media and Highlights Magazine for Children. In addition to two rhyming picture books (published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers), and Monument Maker: Daniel Chester French and the Lincoln Memorial (Cybil 2019 finalist, SLJ award- winner, 2020 Mass Book Award “Must Read), I’m the author of The Systems Thinking Playbook, The Climate Change Playbook, and When a Butterfly Sneezes: A guide for helping children explore interconnections in our world through favorite stories. My book of adapted folktales, Connected Wisdom: Living Stories about Living Systems, has been translated into ten languages and is currently being developed into an augmented reality app. I received my doctorate from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education and I love hiking, playing the ukulele and fixing up my yellow 1974 Volkswagen Thing.
Art Process:
I keep notebooks everywhere. There’s one next to my bed. One in the kitchen. One in my pocketbook. One in the bathroom. And one in the glove compartment. You’ve heard of dream catchers? These are my idea catchers. I’ve learned to be ever-ready to stop and listen and take in the idea, or not. For me, I recognize a “good” idea, one I end up running with, because I usually have some physical reaction. I’m not sure I want to describe the quirky ways I react here but let’s just say, my kids think I’m a nut. They act embarrassed but secretly I think they’re proud. After all, I’m their nut.
The person I most want to meet?
Ms Frizzle, the crazy enthusiastic science teacher in the science series, The Magic School Bus. I am hands-down, a Ms. Frizzle fangirl.
OK. She’s a fictional science teacher, but she is my hero. I can’t get enough of how she owns her geeky enthusiasm for science. (I’m taking note). Then there’s the wacky print dresses, untamable curls, and that persuasive way she gets a whole class to go on crazy field trips! Unfortunately Joanna Cole, the author, of the Magic School Bus, passed away recently but I would love to meet Ms. Frizzle’s co-creator, illustrator Bruce Degan. Someday.
Specialties:
Available for School Visits:
Yes! I love to do school visits.
Here’s a description of one for my latest book, MONUMENT MAKER.
Know What You Love, Make What You Love: An In-person or Virtual Writing/Creative Workshop Inspired by Daniel Chester French, Sculptor of the Lincoln Memorial
Ages: Workshops: 8-12 | Read-Alongs: 2-5
I share a brief book talk, an inside look at the author’s process and hands-on writing/making activities, inspired by the award-winning picture book biography, MONUMENT MAKER. May have a guest visit by artist Shawn Fields. In-person workshops include a hands-on clay activity with workshop participants.
Awards and honors:
Cybil 2019 finalist, SLJ award- winner, 2020 Mass Book Award “Must Read”
Kirkus Starred Review 2024 – The Noisy Puddle
Kirkus Best of Picture Book 2024 list – The Noisy Puddle
Toronto Public Library 2024 First and Best Winner – The Noisy Puddle
Science Friday 2024 Best STEM Books for Kids – The Noisy Puddle
Evanston Public Library 2024 101 Great Books for Kids – The Noisy Puddle
Location:
Concord, MA
Published books:
Children’s:
– Do Bees Pee?, illustrated by Ariel Rutland (Harper Collins, 2026)
– The Noisy Puddle, illustrated by Miki Sato (OwlKids, 2024)
– Apart, Together, illustrated by Ariel Rutland (Harper Collins, 2023)
– Monument Maker: Daniel Chester French and the Lincoln Memorial, illustrated by Shawn Fields (Tilbury House, 2019)
– When the Snow Falls, illustrated by Jana Christy (G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, 2017)
– When the Wind Blows, illustrated by Jana Christy (G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, 2015)
Adult:
– The Climate Change Playbook (Chelsea Green Publishing, 2016)
– The Systems Thinking Playbook (Chelsea Green Publishing, 2018)
– Connected Wisdom (SEED, 2011)
– When a Butterfly Sneezes: A Guide for Helping Children Explore Interconnections in our World Through Favorite Stories (Pegasus Communications, 2001)
Forthcoming books:
Visit Linda at:
Published Books
