Author: Marion Dane Bauer (Keywords)

Long ago and even today, the story is told of how all the animals in the world, at the stroke of midnight on Christmas Eve, speak. With their newfound power of speech, the animals rejoice at the birth of Jesus, born humbly in a manger and surrounded by animals. Singing in treetops, braying in sta...

Snow is coming, and it's time to get ready! The squirrel gathers nuts, the geese soar south, and the snowshoe hare puts on its new white coat. But what should the fox do? Each animal advises the fox that its own plan is best, but the fox thinks otherwise-yet it's not until he meets a golden-eyed ...

Ten-year-old Jonathan practically lives at the Anchorage Zoo, where his father is a keeper. He loves animals, and even imagines himself inside their bodies, seeing what they see, feeling what they feel. Meanwhile, a young brown bear is wandering through the woods near Anchorage, alone and hungry...

Tim is distressed to learn that his mom, new stepfather, and grandmother are sure Granddad has Alzheimer's disease. Refusing to accept the possibility that they may be right, Tim persuades Granddad to run away with him on a fishing trip, convinced this will prove that Granddad is still capable of...

The sun beats down on 7th-graders Joel and his best friend as they pedal up and down the hills outside of town. Before leaving home, Joel had solemnly promised his father-on his honor-they would only go to the state park. He didn't explain they were planning a daring climb on the sheer river bluf...

Presents a selection of short fiction written by students in grades four through twelve followed by Bauer's comments on each, detailing what works well and making suggestions for improvements.

Explores the influences that led the author to become a writer, including the importance of inspiration.

Jennifer is disappointed on her birthday when her father gives her a little china horse and the promise of riding lessons instead of the real horse she's been expecting.

In this beautifully written story set in the north woods of Minnesota, four healthy wolf pups-Leader, Sniffer, Runner, and Thinker-are born one spring. And then one final, undersized pup emerges-Runt. Despite his size, Runt manages to keep up with his brothers and sisters and learn the ways of t...

Discusses how to write fiction, exploring point of view, dialogue, endings, and revision.