Candice Ransom

Candice Ransom

Visiting Associate Professor

Candice Ransom Candice Ransom

When Ransom was 15, her dream was to write children’s books. Now, more than 40 years later, she’s still living that dream with 170+ published books. Award-winning books include Rebel McKenzieBones in the White House: Thomas Jefferson’s MammothApple Picking Day, Tooth Fairy’s Night, and the classic The Big Green Pocketbook. In Ransom’s writing classes, students are encouraged to steep themselves in story and art, reach the child within, and seek their passions. Ransom teaches from the belief that everyone has grown up from a place of “good telling stories.” By learning their personal geographies and cultural myths, students are free to discover those good stories. They make their own maps, take creative risks, and steer toward the mystery. https://candiceransom.com/

Areas of Expertise

  • Picture books
  • Easy readers
  • Creative nonfiction
  • Fiction

Courses Taught

  • Craft of Writing for Children
  • Writing the Picture Book
  • Advanced Picture Book Tutorial
  • Autobiography and Memoir in Children’s and YA Books
  • Regional Fiction in Picture Books, Children’s and YA Books
  • History of Children’s Picture Book Illustrators
  • Writing Creative Nonfiction
  • Contemporary Children’s Book Illustrators
  • Regional Fiction/Creating a Deep Map
  • Writing Middle Grade Novels
  • Writing Poetry for Picture Books and Easy Readers
  • Writing Middle Grade Novels with Classic Mentor

Accomplishments

  • 49 titles translated into 13 languages. School Library Journal starred reviews. Booklist starred reviews. ALA Recommended Book for Reluctant Readers. CBC Notable Children’s Social Studies Book. New York Public Library Best 100 Books. Book-of-the-Month Club Selection. Smithsonian Notable Book. IRA Children’s Choice. IRA Teacher’s Choice. William Allen White Award Nominee. Texas Bluebonnet Nominee. Chicago Public Library Best of the Best. Junior Library Guild Selection. Good Housekeeping Kids’ Book Award. Numerous state reading lists.

Research Interests

  • Mid-century children’s books
  • Place in fiction
  • Folk and fairy tales

Education

  • M.A., Hollins University
  • M.F.A., Vermont College

Publications & Articles

  • Juneberry Blue, Peachtree, 2024
  • Librarians on Horseback, Reycraft, 2024
  • Graduation Day, Random House, 2023
  • School Day, Random Random House, 2023
  • Race for First Place, S&S, 2022
  • Monsters in a Mess, S&S, 2022
  • Only Margaret: A Story About Margaret Wise Brown, Eerdmans, 2021
  • Go, Go, Tractors! Random House, 2021
  • Bones in the White House: Thomas Jefferson’s Mammoth, Doubleday, 2020
  • Garden Day, Random House, 2019
  • Snow Day, Random House, 2018
  • Amanda Panda and the Bigger, Better Birthday, Doubleday, 2018
  • Tooth Fairy’s Night, Random House, 2017
  • Amanda Panda Quits Kindergarten, Doubleday, 2017
  • Terrier Trouble, National Geographic Kids, 2017