Olly is 11 years old!

Olly the Oyster Cleans the Bay, illustrated by the awesomely talented Kelli Nash, was first published by Tidewater Press eleven years ago today. Our amazing editor, Jonna Jones gave Olly a chance to see the world and we owe her many thanks! A year later it was picked up by Schiffer Books. It has been so much fun visiting schools and spreading the word about the importance of oysters! Since then two sequels have been published, Olly’s Treasure and Olly Explores 7 Wonders of the Chesapeake Bay, as well as a companion book, Mallory the Forgetful Duck, each highlighting the wonders and beauty of sea life along the Chesapeake Bay. Happy birthday Olly!

For an easy oyster craft activity, click here.

For a crossword puzzle with key vocabulary words, click here.

To find out where to buy a copy, click here.

To schedule an author visit, click here.

Oyster Treasure Box Craft

Oyster Treasure Box

Make these oyster reef treasure boxes with recycled egg cartons.

This egg carton treasure box celebrates the oyster reef! An oyster reef is a place where sea animals find food, shelter and protection from predators. Oyster reefs also play an important role in the environment by filtering and cleaning the water. This oyster treasure box comes complete with friendly oysters, a sea worm, skillet fish, mudcrab and pearls!

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Author Visits

Olly’s Treasure Book Trailer

 

Reading Olly's Treasure
Reading Olly’s Treasure

The book trailer for Olly’s Treasure is here! I love this story because it is about the real treasures we have in oyster reefs as well as in our own friendships, community and environment.

Here is the full description… 

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Central Elementary

Writing stories
Writing stories

I recently visited Central Elementary School in Edgewater, Maryland. It was such a great day! Amy Shinn and the teachers were warm and inviting and the students were so engaged and adorable.

First, I met with the Green Club and demonstrated how oysters filter the water.  Here I am in the first photo pouring “dirty” water through coffee filters to show how oysters perform a similar function in the Chesapeake Bay. Students then made their own little oysters with coffee filters, wiggle eyes and craft Pom-Poms for pearls. I think the pearls were their favorite parts:) Continue reading “Central Elementary”