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Barnes & Noble Storytime and Book Signing: Henderson, NV

| Bonnie Kelso

In Store  |  Saturday, May 17, 2025 11:00 AM PT

567 North Stephanie, Henderson, NV 89014
Storytime & Author signing with Bonnie Kelso!

Please join me at Barnes & Noble in Henderson, Nevada for a special storytime and book signing. I’ll be reading Wonder of the Woods, published by The Little Press. Reserve a copy now. (702) 434-1533.

A young girl explores the wooded area near her home and encounters a variety of animals that are curious about their new visitor. Tails twitch, bodies ripple, and leaves drift. They watch each other from a safe distance. Could the Wonder of the Woods be YOU? Wonders abound as you explore nature in this lyrical picture book about curiosity and harmony.

I can’t wait to see you there!

Bonnie

Bonnie Kelso writes and illustrates books for children that educate and inspire. She facilitates art workshops for her local community and beyond. NUDI GILL: Poison Powerhouse of the Sea, introduces kids to the tiny but fierce nudibranch. SEA SMILES & SLEEPY SEA are part of a three-part series pairing childhood milestones with fascinating sea animal facts. Coming soon: DEXTER THE STAND UP DOG, shares the true story of a canine internet sensation who adapted to walking upright after a tragic accident.

LVCCLD Summer Challenge 2025!

| Bonnie Kelso

It’s almost time for the Las Vegas Clark County Library District’s Summer Challenge! This year’s theme is TRAVEL – one of my favorite activities. Check out my workshops: Mini Travel Journals: Craft Your Passport-Sized Adventure!

Create your very own passport-sized travel journal, the perfect companion for your next adventure, or a creative keepsake to capture memories from past journeys!

These easy-to-make accordion-folded journals are designed to be ultra-portable, so you can document your travels anytime, anywhere. With a handy pocket in the back, you’ll have a special place to store treasures like ticket stubs, maps, and tiny mementos. Not planning a trip just yet? No problem! Transform it into a personal vision board to help manifest your next getaway. Wherever your adventures take you, this journal will be right there with you!

These workshops are free and open to the public. All supplies are included.

See you there!

Bonnie

Bonnie Kelso writes and illustrates books for children that educate and inspire. She facilitates art workshops for her local community and beyond. NUDI GILL: Poison Powerhouse of the Sea, introduces kids to the tiny but fierce nudibranch. SEA SMILES & SLEEPY SEA are part of a three-part series pairing childhood milestones with fascinating sea animal facts. Coming soon: DEXTER THE STAND UP DOG, shares the true story of a canine internet sensation who adapted to walking upright after a tragic accident.

The Nudibranch Show!

| Bonnie Kelso

How much do I love presenting to kids about nudibranchs? This much!!! Join me this Saturday at the Las Vegas Natural History Museum for fun and activities all about my favorite creature of the sea, the nudibranch! I’ll be performing two interactive shows. Times and details can be found here: https://www.lvnhm.org/event-details/the-nudibranch-show-2025-04-26-11-00

About the Events:

Apr 26, 2025, 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM & 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM

Las Vegas Natural History Museum, 900 Las Vegas Blvd N, Las Vegas, NV 89101, USA

Special Guest: Bonnie Kelso

11:00-11:45 AM – The Nudibranch SHOW!

Best for grades K-2nd (45 minutes)

In this program, Bonnie shares her love for strange and unusual sea animals. She’ll introduce a cast of odd marine characters and describe each of their special talents. Bonnie will read aloud her informational picture book NUDI GILL. Afterwards, she will guide the class in some creative role playing exercises as they imagine the life of a nudibranch. The students will be guided step-by-step as they draw Gill, the nudibranch. Lastly, Bonnie will answer questions and challenge students to discover more about nudibranchs after the presentation.

12:00-12:45 PM – Design YOUR OWN Nudibranch

 Best for grades K-5th (45 minutes)

 In this program, Bonnie shares explains that there are over 3,000 species of nudibranchs and that additional species are still being discovered. She will read aloud her informational picture book NUDI GILL. She will identify and explain the different parts of nudibranch anatomy. Afterwards, she will guide students step-by-step as they invent their own undiscovered species of nudibranch. Lastly, Bonnie will answer questions and challenge students to discover more about nudibranchs after the presentation.

See you there!

Bonnie

Bonnie Kelso writes and illustrates books for children that educate and inspire. She facilitates art workshops for her local community and beyond. NUDI GILL: Poison Powerhouse of the Sea, introduces kids to the tiny but fierce nudibranch. SEA SMILES & SLEEPY SEA are part of a three-part series pairing childhood milestones with fascinating sea animal facts. Coming soon: DEXTER THE STAND UP DOG, shares the true story of a canine internet sensation who adapted to walking upright after a tragic accident.

HUMP DAY CALLS (Podcast)

| Bonnie Kelso

I recently had the opportunity to speak with author, T.R. Monroe, on his Hump Day Calls Podcast. We talked about my newest books, WONDER OF THE WOODS and QUAIL TRAIL, which are both available now.

We also had a lengthy discussion about the creative process, writing, and travel. I hope you enjoy the conversation!

See you on the radio!

Bonnie

Bonnie Kelso writes and illustrates books for children and adults that encourage individualism and brave self-expression. She facilitates art workshops for her local community and beyond. Her debut picture book, NUDI GILL, released April 4, 2023. SEA SMILES, the first of a three-part series, released February 20, 2024. Coming soon: SLEEPY SEA and DEXTER THE STAND UP DOG, available for preorder now. A lover of nature and travel, she often wanders about outside with her family whenever an excellent opportunity to do so presents itself.

Book Launch Party @ Buffy’s Book Boutique

| Bonnie Kelso

“Hey, y’all!” she says feeling into her southern roots.

This Saturday (10/26/24) is my book launch party from 12pm – 2pm at Buffy’s Book Boutique. Buffy’s is the cutest book store in Las Vegas! You have to come check it out.

Buffy’s Book Boutique
3585 S Durango Dr #103
Las Vegas, NV
USA 89147

I’ll be reading WONDER OF THE WOODS, published by Little Press and One Little Earth. It is a lyrical nonfiction story about exploring nature in a gentle and respectful way. I will also have an art activity for kids (or crafty adults) and will be available to sign books. There will be some swag and a giveaway, too! RSVP here to reserve your copy of the book: https://buffysbookboutique.com/events/1233820241026

If we’re lucky, maybe Buffy herself will make an appearance. No promises.

See you at Buffy’s!

Bonnie

Bonnie Kelso writes and illustrates books for children, is a muralist and facilitates art workshops in her community and beyond. Her newest picture book, WONDER OF THE WOODS is a lyrical nonfiction story about exploring nature in a gentle and respectful way. Her debut picture book, NUDI GILL, released April 4, 2023. SEA SMILES, the first of a three-part series, released February 20, 2024. Coming in November: QUAIL TRAIL. A lover of nature and travel, she often wanders about outside with her family whenever an excellent opportunity to do so presents itself.

Nature Bound (Podcast)

| Bonnie Kelso

I recently had the awesome opportunity to speak with author and nature enthusiast, Emanuel Rose, on his Nature Bound podcast. We talked about my new books, WONDER OF THE WOODS and QUAIL TRAIL, which are both available for pre-order now.

Emanuel’s ambition is to craft episodes that are not only entertaining but are designed to ignite the flame of inspiration. He delves into the myriad ways time spent in wilderness can illuminate paths to self-discovery and self-realization. I hope you enjoy our conversation as well others on the Nature Bound podcast.

See you on the radio!

Bonnie

Bonnie Kelso writes and illustrates books for children and adults that encourage individualism and brave self-expression. She facilitates art workshops for her local community and beyond. Her debut picture book, NUDI GILL, released April 4, 2023. SEA SMILES, the first of a three-part series, released February 20, 2024. Coming soon: WONDER OF THE WOODS and QUAIL TRAIL, releasing this fall. A lover of nature and travel, she often wanders about outside with her family whenever an excellent opportunity to do so presents itself.

Should have listened to my mother (Podcast)

| Bonnie Kelso

My last podcast for a spell just released. This one is extra special because not only do I talk about books and sea slugs, but also my mom, and how amazing she is! This was recorded on Mother’s Day weekend and is now live on the air-waves. Check out Jackie Tantillo’s Should Have Listened to My Mother podcast.

More from Jackie and the Should Have Listened to My Mother Podcast:

Podcast host Jackie Tantillo is proud to announce that “Should Have Listened To My Mother Podcast” is a 2023 Peoples Choice Podcast Award Nominee. The show is an ongoing conversation about mothers/maternal role models and the roles they play/played in our lives. Did your mom influence you by her actions or words or both? Are you who you are today because of, or in spite of, your mother? This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn from others about who and/or what shaped them into who they are today. My guests, some of which share similar backgrounds, interestingly enough, have completely different futures. Why is that? I hope you enjoy these timeless oral history recordings of the role mothers and maternal figures have played throughout society. The impact these women have on our lives is insurmountable.

Some fun pictures of me and my mom that didn’t make it into the show notes:

I love you, Mom! See you on the radio!

Bonnie

Bonnie Kelso writes and illustrates books for children and adults that encourage individualism and brave self-expression. She facilitates art workshops for her local community and beyond. Her debut picture book, NUDI GILL, released April 4, 2023. SEA SMILES, the first of a three-part series, released February 20, 2024. Coming soon: WONDER OF THE WOODS and QUAIL TRAIL, releasing this fall. A lover of nature and travel, she often wanders about outside with her family whenever an excellent opportunity to do so presents itself.

The Infinite Search (Podcast)

| Bonnie Kelso

You’re probably thinking, what more could Bonnie have to say? Well, this conversation I had with John Robert Hatherly of The Infinite Search Podcast, touches on some great topics, like why adults should read children’s books and how I built a new creative career after dropping out of the workforce for a decade to travel and raise kids.

In addition to hosting a thoughtful podcast, John is a talented artist, designer and writer. I hope you will take the time to check out our conversation and the others coming out this season.

See you on the radio!

Bonnie

Bonnie Kelso writes and illustrates books for children and adults that encourage individualism and brave self-expression. She facilitates art workshops for her local community and beyond. Her debut picture book, NUDI GILL, released April 4, 2023. SEA SMILES, the first of a three-part series, released February 20, 2024. Coming soon: WONDER OF THE WOODS and QUAIL TRAIL, releasing this fall. A lover of nature and travel, she often wanders about outside with her family whenever an excellent opportunity to do so presents itself.

SCBWI Crystal Kite Award Finalist!

| Bonnie Kelso

What a pleasant surprise to find out that Nudi Gill: Poison Powerhouse of the Sea is a finalist for the SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) Crystal Kite Award!

The Crystal Kite Awards are chosen by other children’s book writers, illustrators, and translators, making them the only peer-given awards in publishing for young readers. But even if you aren’t a children’s book professional, you can still vote for your favorites by creating a free account at www.SCBWI.org.

You can vote for any and all regions, too! Nudi Gill can be found as part of the Southwest Division, because that’s where I live. This is a super cool award, because if you win, you might be selected to present at the SCBWI Summer Conference in August. Also, you get really neat silver stickers to put to the front of your book.

Final voting is until June 20th, so hop on over there and help a sea slug out! You might even discover a few cool books you want to read for yourself or give to a young reader, library, or school.

Best wishes,

Bonnie

Bonnie Kelso writes and illustrates books for children and adults that encourage individualism and brave self-expression. She facilitates art workshops for her local community and beyond. Her debut picture book, NUDI GILL, released April 4, 2023. SEA SMILES, the first of a three-part series, released February 20, 2024. Coming soon: WONDER OF THE WOODS and QUAIL TRAIL, releasing this fall. A lover of nature and travel, she often wanders about outside with her family whenever an excellent opportunity to do so presents itself.