I'm a reading specialist and award winning educator from Chicago. While living in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado for nine years, I spent time hiking on the trails with my Goldendoodle Charlie and friends, writing, working in a literacy program at the Boulder Public Library, and mentoring writers and teachers. I love visiting schools. My books combine STEM and Kindness. "Aliana Reaches for the Moon" a picture book that draws inspiration from the moon and the curiosity of children, inviting children to be creative, explore, and experiment. "An Accidental Hero: A Mostly True Wombat Story" a picture book told in the form of a newscast which skillfully balances the serious subject of forest fires with compassion and humor to help children navigate this important topic through the real events of 2020. I moved to Northern New Jersey in 2025 and am working on new projects.
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2 thoughts on “Interview Alert: Laura Roettiger (+ a Giveaway!)”
Wombats sharing their underground spaces during Australian forest fires captured the imagination of many writers, but none as successfully as Laura Roettiger in this book. She managed to tell wombat’s story as it really happened – animals entered the tunnels not by invitation but were allowed to stay – a first for wombats. She was sensitive that large animals were not among those who used the tunnels for escape but are expected in a child’s book about Australia. Her frame of adding these characters as reporting staff is a brilliant way to handle it. Plus, an author’s note makes clear what did and did not happen. And truly Wombat is hero – mostly. Great read aloud – libraries and schools should all have this one!
Laura Roettiger Books 
Wombats sharing their underground spaces during Australian forest fires captured the imagination of many writers, but none as successfully as Laura Roettiger in this book. She managed to tell wombat’s story as it really happened – animals entered the tunnels not by invitation but were allowed to stay – a first for wombats. She was sensitive that large animals were not among those who used the tunnels for escape but are expected in a child’s book about Australia. Her frame of adding these characters as reporting staff is a brilliant way to handle it. Plus, an author’s note makes clear what did and did not happen. And truly Wombat is hero – mostly. Great read aloud – libraries and schools should all have this one!
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Thank you Robin!
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