bring on the books!
I’m ready to sign your books! I support my local independent bookseller, Scrawl Books, in Reston, VA. If you are not located near me, we can work with your own local bookstore. I can personally sign the books if they are purchased through Scrawl, otherwise, I can mail signed bookplates to stick inside the books you order. We can discuss at the time of booking. If you are local, Scrawl will deliver the books in person. If not, they will ship them to you for free. Click here to order through Scrawl. https://www.scrawlbooks.com/ann-marie-stephens
CATastrophe!:
A Story of Patterns
(A CATastrophe Tale)
Illustrated by Jenn Harney
Astra Young Readers
A crew of hungry kittens and their captain head to the lake to catch some dinner, but the fish have surprises in store for them. Even before the cats encounter the fish, they run into trouble. What happens when confused kitties paddle every which way? Or when they all lean in the same direction? A pattern is needed to avoid a catastrophe!
Patterns are the foundation on which math is built. Using strong rhythm, clever wordplay, and countable characters, CATastrophe! is a fun read-aloud that also shows what patterns can do. Helpful backmatter will deepen readers’ understanding and challenge them to find more patterns in this book and in our world. There’s also much to find in the illustrations—including a dragonfly and worm that each appear twenty times
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SCATtered: A Story of Estimation
(A CATastrophe Tale) (January 2025)
Illustrated by Jenn Harney
Astra Young Readers
CATawampus: A Story of Shapes
(A CATastrophe Tale) (January 2025)
Illustrated by Jenn Harney
Astra Young Readers
CATerwaul: A Story of Sorting
(A CATastrophe Tale) (July 2025)
Illustrated by Jenn Harney
Astra Young Readers
CATapult: A Story of Movement and Position
(A CATastrophe Tale) (July 2025)
Illustrated by Jenn Harney
Astra Young Readers
more cats are coming!
Arithmechicks Add Up:
A Math Story
Illustrated by Jia Liu
Astra Young Readers
As the Arithmechicks slide down the slide, swing on the swings, and play hide-and-seek, they don't realize that a lonely mouse is copying them, longing to join in. However, when their basketball becomes stuck, the chicks discover that a two-inch-tall new friend is exactly what they need. In this heartwarming story, there are many ways to add up ten cheerful chicks--but a new friend is what makes them cheer. The book includes a helpful glossary that defines the eight arithmetic strategies the chicks use throughout the story, providing a playful introduction to essential math for young children and their caregivers.
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Arithmechicks Take A Calculation Vacation:
A Math Story
Illustrated by Jia Liu
Astra Young Readers
The Arithmechicks are headed to the beach! Their good friend Mouse is going to compete in a sandcastle contest. The chicks are excited to play all sorts of beach games—including volleyball and surfing—as they cheer on Mouse. Readers are invited to add and subtract as these math-loving chicks also explore fact families—and to watch as Mouse, along with their new friend Crab, create a magnificent sandcastle! Will they win a prize? This book includes a helpful glossary that defines fact families, providing a playful introduction to essential math for young children and their caregivers.
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Arithmechicks
Explore More:
A Math Story
Illustrated by Jia Liu
Astra Young Readers
Join the Arithmechicks and Mouse as they head off to the wilderness! These chicks can’t wait to hike up the ridge, find delicious berries, and, best of all, spend time with their duckling cousins! But the day is off to a bad start when one duckling accidentally leaves a beloved stuffed animal on the bus. How can these chicks (and Mouse) cheer up their cousin? Discover how an adventure with the Arithmechicks brings both humor and heart to the math they stumble across during their journey.
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Arithmechicks
Take Away
Illustrated by Jia Liu
Astra Young Readers
The Arithmechicks have invited their new friend Mouse for a sleepover. When Mama says it's time for bed, the clever chicks decide it's time to prolong the fun instead! During the story, readers are invited to count and take away during everyone's favorite game of hide-and-seek—and to find Mouse, who hides in a different place in each illustration -- until all settle down for bed in the warm, cozy conclusion. The book is the perfect introduction to essential math for young children and their caregivers. It includes a helpful glossary that defines the eight arithmetic strategies the chicks use throughout the story.
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Arithmechicks Play Fair:
A Math Story
Illustrated by Jia Liu
Astra Young Readers
Join the Arithmechicks and Mouse as they head off to the fair! These chicks can’t wait to enjoy the roller coaster, bumper cars, games, and delicious snacks; meanwhile Mouse is determined to sink the rooster at the dunk tank. As the Arithmechicks explore the fair, they find ways to show how fractions work in the world. But when one chick doesn’t get to select an activity, the day doesn’t go according to plan until the chicks decide they all need to play fair. This book includes a helpful glossary with further information about fractions, while the story provides an exuberant introduction to essential math for young children and their caregivers.
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Arithmechicks Find Their Place: A Math Story
Illustrated by Jia Liu
Astra Young Readers
The Arithmechicks and Mouse are excited to be traveling to the city—even more so when they learn that Mama has planned a secret scavenger hunt, culminating in a mysterious 10th stop! But when one chick wants to be the best, he starts disrupting the plans. How can these frustrated chicks (and Mouse) show their sibling that it’s better to work together? This adventure with the Arithmechicks is made up of math, a mystery, and, most of all, humor and heart.
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books out of print...
Cy Makes a Friend
Illustrated by Tracy Subisak
Astra Young Readers
Cy the Cyclops can make just about anything, except a friend. Even practicing skills such a making eye contact and winking doesn’t seem to help. Then Cy remembers that it’s nice to share, so he turns his talent for making things to creating a special something just right for two.
This charming tale about finding a friend celebrates kindness, generosity, and being true to yourself, and features fresh, colorful artwork. An author’s note with information about Cyclopes and many other mythological creates in the book is included.
*Ann Marie has a limited number of copies available.
Scuba Dog
Illustrated by Jess Golden
little bee books
This dog loves swimming in the ocean! While his dog friends jam, he makes waves. One day while swimming, he meets a whale and thinks she could be a new friend. They swim together, but he can’t hold his breath for very long. Back on land, he has an idea: Learn how to scuba dive! He gets the gear, passes the test, and reunites with his friend! Soon she has to leave in search of food, but she sings him a special song before she leaves. Scuba Dog misses his friend and decides to plan a special welcome back surprise for her when she returns. He teaches his dog friends to play the tune of her song, and Scuba Dog makes her a beautiful, whale-sized necklace of seaweed and kelp. The whale returns with a surprise of her own—a baby whale!