Thanks so much for coming to visit! I’m Laura Purdie Salas, and I write children’s books and poetry. Books saved my life as a kid, and I love creating fabulous children’s books today–for all the kids who wonder, worry, laugh, learn, explore, and escape through reading. Like I did.
Like I still do.
I’m a visiting author, a storytime presenter, a writing teacher, and a freelance writer. Personally, I’m someone who’s still awed by the first snowfall of the year. Who gets excited about a good cupcake. Who can stare at a tree or the moon for a long time. I adore sunrises, science, and stories. I know nothing’s perfect, and we have to work for a better world. But I also believe that savoring what’s already incredible about our world makes every day better. And I know that reading small books and poems makes me feel more connected, hopeful, and grateful. I bet it can make you feel the same way.
—Laura
My Latest Books
What’s New in June?
- May was a real roller coaster here. We continued to deal with physical and mental health challenges with a family member, and our younger daughter and her husband moved to Oregon. I’m SO very sad to see them go. She lived overseas for many years after high school, so this past 3 years has been the only time she’s lived in Minnesota during her adulthood. May was a wild ride, physically and emotionally. We got to go camping together at beautiful Jay Cooke State Park. And the entire family did a little weekend getaway at an Airbnb nearby. And we had a sendoff party to whisk them away from Minnesota on a tidal wave of love.
- My 2026 picture book, Meet the Mighty Helpers, is available for pre-order! Whee!
- I got my editorial letter on a forthcoming informational picture book, and I’m busy on some rebellious revision (which is perfect for this particular book).
- After I hand in those revisions, I’ll be diving into revisions on my next weather-related picture book (a companion to Zap! Clap! Boom! and Flurry, Float, and Fly!).
- And after that, I have two more picture book projects lined up!
- It’s good to be busy. I need the distraction right now :>)
Happy June!
xo,
Laura