Author Profile
Shirley Neitzel
12 Books
Shirley Neitzel is an American children's author recognized for picture books featuring playful, patterned language. Her books turn everyday childhood experiences into rhythmic, cumulative stories, including favorites like The Jacket I Wear in the Snow and The Bag I'm Taking to Grandma's. Alongside her humorous cumulative tales, she writes books that introduce young readers to history, community values, and traditional stories. Her engaging read-alouds encourage children to participate in the storytelling process.
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Bundle up for a frosty winter adventure. Playing in the snow is wonderful, but getting dressed for the cold can be a hilarious challenge. In this clever story, a young girl piles on layer after layer of warm winter clothing, from itchy sweaters to stiff snow pants. Every time she adds a new piece of clothing, the rhythmic chant grows longer, making it incredibly fun to repeat. You can help tell the story by reading the picture clues hidden right inside the sentences. Once she is finally bundled up tight and tumbling in the snow, the real challenge begins when it is time to take all those bulky layers off. The bouncing words and bright pictures perfectly capture the funny, frustrating, and exciting process of dressing for a snowy day of play.
6-8 Years
36 Pages
Step into a world of imagination and fancy clothes. A young girl sneaks into her mother's closet to put together the most magnificent outfit for a very special, pretend party. With every turn of the page, she adds another glamorous item, from shiny shoes to a sparkling necklace. You get to join in the fun by reading the tiny picture clues mixed right into the text, turning the story into a delightful guessing game. As the outfit gets larger and more elaborate, the playful, repeating rhymes build up to a wonderful fashion show. The bouncy rhythm makes the story perfect for reading aloud, while the beautiful illustrations capture the joy of playing dress-up. See how ordinary clothes can transform into a magical ensemble when you use a little bit of creativity and a lot of style.
6-8 Years
36 Pages
Step aboard the most famous boat in history. This engaging story brings the classic tale of Noah and his incredible floating animal rescue to life in a fresh, bouncy way. Following a rhythmic, repeating pattern, the story builds step by step, from the wooden planks of the giant boat to the pairs of magnificent animals marching inside. You will find yourself quickly chiming in as the lines repeat and grow longer with every page. The lively words make the ancient story easy to follow and incredibly fun to read out loud. Bright, cheerful illustrations fill the pages with friendly animal faces and bustling activity. It is a wonderful way to experience a foundational tale of faith, preparation, and hope, perfectly sized for young readers eager to join the journey.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Meet the people who walked, talked, and shared meals with Jesus. This gentle and engaging book introduces you to the different friends who followed Him, from the quiet shepherds to the eager disciples. Using a fun, repeating rhythm, the story builds layer upon layer, making it easy to remember all the wonderful people who learned from His teachings. You will read about those who needed a helping hand and the brave women who shared the greatest news of all. The bouncy, familiar style of the verses makes reading aloud a joyous activity, helping you connect with the stories of faith. Bright and welcoming pictures bring these historical friends to life, showing how kindness and love drew so many people together. Discover the inspiring circle of friends and see how that circle still welcomes new friends today.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Get ready for a spooky, silly costume adventure. A Halloween party invitation has arrived, and it is time to create the perfect disguise. As the young character searches the house for supplies, a wild assortment of everyday items starts piling up. You can help read the story by figuring out the clever picture clues sprinkled throughout the sentences. Will the costume be a scary monster, a brave hero, or something completely unexpected? The fun, repeating rhymes make it easy to read along as the pile of hats, capes, and accessories grows taller. The bright illustrations perfectly capture the busy, creative mess of making a costume from scratch. Join the festive fun and see how a little imagination turns simple household objects into the ultimate Halloween surprise.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Wake up early and head to the kitchen for a very special surprise. Two eager children are determined to make the perfect Mother's Day breakfast in bed, complete with a beautiful tray and fresh flowers. But cooking is trickier than it looks, and soon the toast is burning, the jelly is spilling, and the kitchen is a hilarious disaster. You can read along and decode the fun picture clues hidden inside the text as the cooking chaos grows. The bouncy, repeating rhymes perfectly capture the silly mistakes and the loving intentions of the young chefs. When things get completely out of hand, a very understanding mother steps in to help save her own special day. It is a warm, funny story about family, trying your best, and the messy joy of doing things together.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
Three Ojibwa Legends
Step into the rich and ancient world of Ojibwa storytelling. This captivating collection brings three traditional legends to life, offering a window into the culture and history of the people of the Great Lakes. You will meet the brave boy who dared to catch the sun in his snare, and follow the clever Ojeeg on his epic quest to find summer and bring warmth back to his freezing people. The final tale introduces Wassamowin, whose incredible encounter with the powerful Thunderbirds will leave you in awe. The vivid descriptions and striking illustrations pull you deeply into a time when nature and magic were intertwined. These stories not only entertain but also honor the deep respect the Ojibwa hold for the earth, the changing seasons, and the powerful forces of the natural world. Discover the courage and wisdom woven into these timeless tales.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
32 Pages
Some days you just want to stay tucked under the covers. A young boy decides he is entirely too sick to go to school today, and he knows exactly what he needs to feel better. You get to read along and decode the funny picture clues as his list of demands grows wildly out of control. Soon he is asking for a box of tissues, a fluffy cat, his favorite puppets, and an endless supply of snacks. The bouncy, repeating rhymes make it hilarious to track the towering pile of comfort items filling up his bed. But his wise mother might just see right through his sneaky plan, especially when an unexpected surprise changes his mind entirely. It is a wonderful, playful story about tricky mornings, towering imaginations, and the funny things we do when we want a lazy day.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
All aboard for a thrilling ride right in the middle of your bedroom. A young boy transforms into a train engineer, guiding his mighty locomotive on a spectacular journey without ever leaving the house. You can help him drive by reading the clever picture clues hidden throughout the story. As the train travels past tunnels and trestles, the list of train cars grows longer and longer, from the heavy tanker to the little red caboose. The rolling, repeating rhymes sound just like the clackety-clack of wheels on a track, making it incredibly fun to read out loud. Bright illustrations perfectly capture the blend of real-life train parts and an imaginative child's playroom. Grab your conductor's hat and join this exciting, fast-paced adventure that celebrates the magic of pretend play and the love of trains.
6-8 Years
36 Pages
Get ready to pack your bags for a hilarious trip to Grandma's house. In this clever picture book, a young boy decides exactly what he needs for his visit, but his mother has a very different packing list in mind. As you read along, the list of items grows longer and longer in a fun, repeating pattern. You get to guess the words hidden inside the pictures, turning the story into an interactive reading game. The silly mix-up between toys and practical clothes creates a funny tug-of-war that any child who loves to pack their own bags will understand. With bright illustrations and an engaging rhythm, this story makes reading aloud a joyous shared activity. See if you can remember all the items piled into the bag before the family finally heads out the door for their visit.
6-8 Years
36 Pages
Line up with your buddies and get ready for a wild day. The entire class is heading to the zoo, but this is not your ordinary field trip. You get to read along using the fun picture clues mixed into the text to figure out exactly what goes wrong. Why is a monkey running around in a winter coat, and how did a button end up in the lion's den? With every turn of the page, the silly mishaps pile up in a bouncy, repeating rhyme that is a blast to read out loud. The colorful pictures show exactly how the energetic kids and the mischievous animals turn the zoo upside down. It is a hilarious adventure filled with missing hats, playful creatures, and the chaotic fun of a school trip you will never forget.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Grab your tool belt and get ready to build. In this fun and interactive story, a young boy has big plans to create the perfect little house for a family of wrens. To get the job done, he carefully borrows tools from his mother's toolbox, adding a new item to his collection with every turn of the page. You can read along and guess the missing words by looking at the special picture clues sprinkled throughout the text. As the building project grows, so does the list of tools, creating a catchy, bouncing rhythm that is a joy to read out loud. Even when things get a little messy, a clever imagination and a helpful mother save the day. See how a simple diagram and a lot of creativity turn a pile of wood into a welcoming home for the birds.
6-8 Years
36 Pages