Robyn McGrath

Robyn McGrath has spent her career working with children as a dance and yoga instructor, reading teacher, school counselor, and now . . . children’s author. Whether she’s writing fiction or nonfiction, Robyn believes that books help us navigate life experiences while fostering an understanding of self and others. When Robyn is not writing she works as a Play Therapist, helping children and parents regulate BIG emotions. Robyn lives in Austin, TX with her husband, two children, a Labrador retriever, and a friendly cat they found camping.

Reviews

A Mind of Her Own

“This imagination-oriented biography of mystery writer Agatha Christie (1890–1976) by McGrath (There’s Always Room for One More) foregrounds the role Christie’s internal world played in both her child-hood and her later success. “Agatha, always in her head,” the adults repeat. But imagination and observation give the child a way to amuse herself as she listens to and reads stories, wonders what the things she notices could mean, and struggles to write, preferring arithmetic when “the letters and words come out jumbled.” First-aid classes and nursing work during WWI teach her about medicine, and her imagined questions grow more serious: “Who does that soldier call to in his sleep?” She begins crafting a detective story, working on solving its puzzle, then on details and plot. After multiple rejections, an acceptance arrives. Period and scenic details in digitally finished, occasionally stiff watercolor spreads by Wong (I Am Not a Penguin: A Pangolin’s Lament) give the pages a feeling of romance in this work about an inspirational figure whose mind—through “puzzling and plotting”—brings her success. Background characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Biographical information and creators’ notes conclude.”—Publishers Weekly

“McGrath's picture-book biography of mystery writer Agatha Christie focuses on events from her childhood and early adulthood that led to the publication of her first book, The Mysterious Affair at Styles. As a youngest child she spent much time alone, where she let her imagination roam and honed her observational skills. From an early age she enjoyed reading detective stories and solving mathematical puzzles. After her early writing attempts were criticized by teachers, she became a nurse during WWI, where the hospital dispensary provided her with valuable insight into poisons as well as useful background knowledge. Wong's digitally enhanced watercolor illustrations feature idyllic outdoor scenes, depictions of early twentieth-century British country life, and numerous details from Christie's many novels. Much of the art has a sunny feel, although several spreads depicting mystery tropes (overheard conversations, funereal scenes, and dark, stormy nights) are rendered in darker tones. With additional details of Christie's life, creator notes, mystery vocabulary, and bibliography appended, this makes a good introduction to the Queen of Crime.”—Booklist

There’s Always Room for One More

“Casey loves the old dining table where she’s had birthdays and Saturday morning pancakes, but with Grandpa coming to live with them, her family will need a bigger one. While everyone else in Casey’s warm and loving Black family and diverse community is having fun preparing the new table for Grandpa’s arrival, Casey sits with her sad feelings about losing the old table that felt so much like home. In a poignant social-emotional learning moment, Casey’s mom says Grandpa may be missing his old home, too. As Casey empathizes with Grandpa’s situation, she realizes the new table is a place where new memories can be made, and starts by baking her and Grandpa’s favorite treat, a peach cobbler. The story ends with Grandpa and the neighbors joining Casey’s family for a meal around the new table, where there is always room for one more. Like the previous sentence, the title concept feels a little tacked on. However, the rest of McGrath’s text is clearly written and lovely to read aloud and includes such poetic phrases as “Love pours out in our favorite color” when the dog accidentally spills a can of paint. . . A solid purchase for any picture book collection.”—School Library Journal

“Preparing for Grandpa to move in means saying goodbye to a beloved table and embracing the chance to make memories with a new one. Although excited for Grandpa’s arrival, young Clare feels conflicted when Mama announces that their family needs a bigger dining table. Memories of their old table and anxious questions swirl in Clare’s mind as the family brings home and lovingly fixes up their new one. Neighbors, friends, and family stop by with things to help Grandpa feel at home and receive cordial invitations (“There’s always room for one more”) to join them for dinner in return. But change is hard, and Clare eventually dissolves into tears. Mama comforts an overwhelmed Clare and says that Grandpa might be missing what feels like home to him, too. Clare is encouraged by the suggestion that a larger table means more room to make new memories, and the child’s first memory will be to help bake a peach cobbler, Clare and Grandpa’s favorite treat. The family puts the finishing touches on their feast with the arrival of guests and then finally Grandpa, who is pleased at the surprise. McGrath deftly immerses readers in Clare’s mind, while Lobo’s warm and whimsical illustrations capture this caring, tightly knit Black family and their diverse community. With the party now in full swing and new memories to cherish, Clare fully understands that “there’s always room for one more.” A helpful tale for building empathy and navigating change.”—Kirkus Reviews

Dolly! The Story of Dolly Parton and Her Big Dream

“Composer, entrepreneur, performer, and philanthropist Dolly Parton's lifelong love of music bubbles to the top in this new picture book biography, focusing on her tough upbringing in Tennessee and how that shaped her path. For children unfamiliar with Parton, this digitally illustrated book is as bright as the singer's favorite outfits and its exaggerated cartoon style will connect with fans of animated shows popular today. The text focuses almost disproportionately on Parton's early life, circling around the different ways music made an appearance in her early years—from porch concerts to radio listening to her mama singing—and then moves on, in the final pages, to the artist's first public performances and ultimately her career successes . . . The inclusion of "Dolly-isms" in the back matter is a treat. Add this to any collection that lacks a Parton biography.”—School Library Journal

“A poor country girl’s journey from pounding out rhythms on pots and pans to achieving global music stardom.  McGrath re-creates the flavor of Parton’s childhood “deep in a holler of the Great Smoky Mountains” with well-chosen details, such as a reference to a “handmade corncob doll” that was the subject of young Dolly’s first song .  . .  A profile of the Queen of Country Music that conveys the spirit and spunk of a little girl with a big vision.” —Kirkus Reviews