Cheryl Bardoe delights in sharing her love of language and curiosity about the world with readers and writers of all ages. She has given readings at bookstores and cultural institutions, spoken on conference panels and led student workshops.

Cheryl’s first book, GREGOR MENDEL: THE FRIAR WHO GREW PEAS, is a great launching point to combine science and math with reading and writing in an interactive author visit. This picture book tells the story of a 19th-century Augustinian friar who grew nearly 30,000 pea plants. Through perseverance, diligence and creativity, Mendel overcame poverty and obscurity to become the father of genetics. Bardoe garnered three honors with this book: Orbis Pictus Honor Book, National Council of Teachers of English, 2007; American Library Association Notable Book for 2007; International Reading Association Notable Book for 2007.

Cheryl’s next book is THE UGLY DUCKLING DINOSAUR, to be published by Abrams Books for Young Readers, is a retelling of the classic fairy tale in which a T. rex hatches in a prehistoric duck’s nest. Cheryl has also sold articles to Highlights magazine and helped to create exhibitions at Chicago’s Field Museum.

Sample School Programs
The programs listed below are designed for classrooms of up to 30 students and can be modified as needed. An Educator Guide is available for suggestions of pre- and post-workshop activities.

Biography Basics, for grades 3-7
Learn about Mendel’s life and work and discover how to use the 5 W’s - who, what, where, when and why - to write biographies.
Illinois State Standards: Language Arts 3.B, Science 12.A.

The Dominating Denominator, for grades 4-7
Examine the importance of sample size in Mendel’s research, and then collect and analyze data through an in-class experiment. The author will also share tips for writing biographies.
Illinois State Standards: Math 10, Science 11.A, Language Arts 3.B.

What Scientists Do, for grades 3-7
Explore the scientific method by examining Mendel’s famous experiment and the work of a modern scientist at Chicago’s Field Museum. The author will also share tips for writing biographies. Illinois State Standards: Science 11.A, Language Arts 3.B.

Contact Information:
Email: cb@cherylbardoe.com
Website: http://www.cherylbardoe.com