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Common Knowledge

Other names: Chamberlain, Laura (birth)
Gender: female
Education: Yale University (BA, Psychology)
Georgetown University (PhD, Neuroscience)
Occupations: teacher
Short biography: [excerpted from author's website]
Laura Gehl is the author of nearly two dozen popular picture books, board books, and early readers. Laura lives in Chevy Chase, Maryland, with her husband and four children.

I have a B.A. in psychology from Yale University and a Ph.D. in neuroscience from Georgetown University. Before becoming a full-time children's book author, I taught high school, did research in a neurobiology lab, and worked as a science writer.

Approximately 99% of my brain power goes to thinking about family, friends, books (my own and other people's), dark chocolate, and ice cream (current favorite flavor: coffee Oreo).
Places of residence: Chevy Chase, Maryland, USA
Associated Place (for map): Maryland, USA

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117 reviews

elakdawalla 115 reviews

Always Looking Up: Nancy Grace Roman, Astronomer (She Made History) by Laura Gehl

Always Looking Up is an excellent biography of an excellent woman. Roman was remarkable for overcoming sexism to become an astronomer and for her pioneering research, for starters. However, as the book makes clear, her greatest accomplishments were in the realm of service to the astronomy community, and I don’t believe I’ve read a children’s book about that before. It talks about her traveling to the Soviet Union for scientific exchange during the Cold War, about becoming the chief of show more astronomy at NASA, and of course, about her role as the mother of the Hubble Space Telescope. “Nancy Grace’s passion shone as she spoke,” Gehl writes. “She had seen and learned so much in her career already. Now she could share that knowledge with others.” show less

Dec 7, 20201 other review

tdrecker 2,183 reviews

Delivery Bear by Laura Gehl

Fluffy tails aren't the sweetest thing in this super cute picture book, which holds a beary important message and tons of encouragement.

Zogby is a bear. Since he was a cub, he's wanted to be a delivery bear for Fluffy Tail Cookies. When he sees a help-wanted sign, it appears his dreams have come true. But there's one big problem. Zogby isn't fluffy or cute. When customers scream for help the minute they open their front doors, Zogby realizes his dream might not be attainable after all.

The show more story in this tale is very simple, and yet, it packs a punch. Zogby is such a sweet, big bear. It's hard not to cheer for him and feel for him as he tries his very best to meet standards that he simply doesn't fit. The solution is inspiring as well as clever and makes the book end on a smile worthy note.

The illustrations fit the tale perfectly and bring each fuzzy character to life. There are a few details but never too many. Rather, the pictures and words flow along nicely, making this a great read aloud. Even when no one is around to read the story, young listeners can pick this one up and 'read' it all on their own.

This is a cute story which is sure to become a favorite.

I received a complimentary copy and found this book so sweet that I had to leave my honest thoughts. show less

Sep 6, 20181 other review

mcghol 35 reviews

Apple and Magnolia by Laura Gehl

There have been several books published recently about communication and cooperation between trees, but this is the first one that I've seen done in fiction. Beautifully told, this story could be read simply as about a young girl's imagination and her belief in the power of friendship. But if you also read the author's note, or if the adult reading it knows about how trees help each other, it becomes a springboard for scientific inquiry. It left me wondering, do trees of different species show more communicate? I will want to follow up with more reading. (A good thing!). The whimsical, child-like illustrations add to the joy. And the fact that the main character is biracial (without that being the point of the book) both pairs well with the cross-species tree "friendship" and is welcome for those looking to diversify their picture-book collections. show less

This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.

Feb 12, 202222 other reviews

villemezbrown 8,847 reviews

Apple and Magnolia by Laura Gehl

I believe plants are second only to water as the scariest things we allow to be around us on a regular basis. They act all innocent and uninvolved, but as this horror book shows, they communicate and conspire in ways we are only just beginning to understand.

Just this week, the tree across the street was revealed to be systematically destroying my connection to the city sewer in its greed to swill the water I am trying to get the hell out of my house. I tell that bastard he owes me thousands show more of dollars, and he just stands there all aloof, shaking his leaves at me, shooing me away.

Damned plants. show less

Aug 7, 202222 other reviews

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