Christy Mihaly
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PRESS KIT

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April 20, 2018
Christy Mihaly       
 
SHORT BIO:
Christy Mihaly's 2020 release, FREE FOR YOU AND ME: WHAT OUR FIRST AMENDMENT MEANS, introduces young readers to the freedoms protected by the First Amendment, with poems and stories. In 2019 she published a 6-book series about contemporary political issues. Her 2018 books include a YA science nonfiction work, DIET FOR A CHANGING CLIMATE, to be published by Lerner/Twenty-First Century Books; and the Holiday House picture book HEY, HEY, HAY! (A Tale of Bales and the Machines that Make Them) — a rhyming story that features a farm girl and her mother making hay.
 
Christy has published more than 20 books in the educational market on topics ranging from moose to redwood forests to fashion and math. She also writes articles, stories, and poetry. Her 2015 ASK magazine article about Gregor Mendel, “The Probability of Purple Peas,” received a letter of commendation in the SCBWI Magazine Merit Awards competition.
 
A founding member of GROG, the group blog for writers and readers of children’s literature, Christy blogs about writing and books. She has degrees from Dartmouth College and the University of California, Berkeley. After stints residing in six other states, and Spain, she has settled happily with her family in rural Vermont. There, she writes under the supervision of her dog and cat, overlooking forests and fields.
 
Christy is represented by Erzsi Deak of Hen & Ink Literary Studio.
 
 
LONGER BIO:
Christy Mihaly's 2020 release, FREE FOR YOU AND ME: WHAT OUR FIRST AMENDMENT MEANS, introduces young readers to the freedoms protected by the First Amendment, with poems and stories. Christy practiced law for 20 years before turning to writing for young people. In 2019 she published a 6-book series about contemporary political issues, "Shaping the Debate," with Rourke Educational Media. Her 2018 books include the YA nonfiction work, Diet for a Changing Climate: Food for Thought, co-written with Sue Heavenrich, to be published in September by Lerner/Twenty-First Century Books; and the Holiday House picture book Hey, Hey, Hay! A Tale of Bales and the Machines That Make Them. Beautifully illustrated by Joe Cepeda, Hey, Hey, Hay! is a rhyming book that features a farm girl and her mother making hay. Observing the poetry and magic of the haymaking process – "storing summer in a bale" – inspired the author to bring this story to kids. Christy started writing for young people after 25 years of legal writing (which was generally, though perhaps not entirely, non-fiction). She finds writing for kids is more fun!
 
Christy writes for young readers because she believes that our best hope for the future is raising kids who love to learn. She has published a more than 20 books in the educational market with Rosen Publishing (Using Math in Fashion; Getting Paid to Make Cosplay Costumes and Props), North Star Editions (California's Redwood Forest; Elephants; Moose; All about Apps), Rourke Educational Media, and more. She has written articles about science, nature, technology and history for Appleseeds, Cobblestone, Ask, Fun for Kidz, and other children's magazines. Her 2015 Ask magazine article about Gregor Mendel, “The Probability of Purple Peas,” received a letter of commendation from the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators in the annual Magazine Merit Awards competition. She has sold poetry and activities to Highlights, Spider, High Five, and the SCBWI Bulletin, and her stories and essays have been published in Chicken Soup for the Soul, Imagination Cafe and KidsVT. Two of her poems are included in the 2018 anthology edited by Tabatha Yeatts, Imperfect: Poems about Mistakes, an Anthology for Middle Schoolers.
 
A founding member of GROG, the group blog for writers and readers of children’s literature, Christy blogs about writing and books. (http://groggorg.blogspot.com.) She has degrees from Dartmouth College and the University of California, Berkeley. A music lover, she's on the board of Capital City Concerts, served as board chair of the Monteverdi Music School, and has participated in amateur ensembles. She is passionate about environmental education, has chaired the board of the Vermont River Conservancy, and is a regular volunteer in local elementary schools as an environmental educator and reading mentor. She’s a longtime member of SCBWI, the League of Vermont Writers, and the 12x12 Picture Book Challenge.
 
After living in several states and in Spain, she is now settled in Vermont where she writes at a table overlooking forests and fields, under the supervision of her dog and cat. She loves walking in the woods and playing the cello (though not simultaneously). Christy is represented by Erzsi Deak, of Hen&ink Literary Studio.
 
 
Book Information:
HEY, HEY, HAY! (A Tale of Bales and the Machines that Make Them)
Illustrated by Joe Cepeda
Published by Holiday House, 2018
 
 Mower blades slice through the grass.
A new row falls with every pass.
Next we spread the grass to dry.
The tedder makes those grasses fly!

A farm girl tells the tale of making hay with her Mom. The tractor pulls the mower to mow the grass, then a tedder to aerate the grass, and eventually a baler. Told in rollicking rhyme and illustrated with fabulous art by Joe Cepeda, each part of the process is a celebration of summer, farming, and the mother-daughter relationship. Back matter includes a glossary, and a recipe for the traditional haymakers' drink, switchel.
 
 
DIET FOR A CHANGING CLIMATE
Published by Lerner/Twenty-First Century Books, 2018
Short-listed for the Green Earth Book Award
Helps readers explore the vast world of unexpected (and delicious) food choices that can help us be kinder to the earth.
 
 
Interview links and more information about the author:
  • Interview on "ReFoReMo" (Reading for Research) May 2020
  • Interview on "Writers' Rumpus" April 2020
  • Interview on "The Kids Are All Write" by Nancy Churnin, April 2020
  • Radio interview, Vermont Public Radio, August 2018 
  • Bear Pond Books, Montpelier, Vermont, blog post: "Notes from 'Don't Quit Your Day Job,'" regarding presentation by author.  (2017)
  • Two-part interview of the author on the blog ReaderKidz, http://www.readerkidz.com/2016/02/09/author-interview-christy-mihaly-and-the-u-s-national-parks/; http://www.readerkidz.com/2016/02/11/part-2-author-interview-with-christy-mihaly/. (2016)
  • Interview with the author on Archimedes Notebook blog. (2016)
  • Blog by the author, "Opportunities in Writing for the Educational Market," (post with more than 4,500 page views.) (2016)
  • Published essay by author about homeschooling, "Life Lessons," in Kids VT,  (2013)
 
Contact and media information:
 
Christy Mihaly
P.O. Box 119
East Calais, VT  05650
christy@mihaly.org
www.christymihaly.com
 
LINKS to other media:
blogging at GROG: http://groggorg.blogspot.com
 
Instagram: christymihaly
 
Twitter: @CMwriter4kids
 
Facebook Author page: https://www.facebook.com/christymihaly/
 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christy-mihaly-05344134
 
Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01KXVXGME
 
Goodreads author page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15623111.Christy_Mihaly

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  • Home
  • About
    • My Writing LIfe
    • Resume
  • Books
    • Free For You and Me
    • Hey, Hey, Hay!
    • Diet for a Changing Climate
    • Educational Books
  • Articles
    • Blog
  • Speaking
  • Media
    • Press Info
  • Photos
  • Contact