Picture Gallery

Molly making a set of “Ocean Party” puppets
Molly makes paper roses from a misprinted Ocean PArty order
Valley Booksellers organizes the Storytime Trolley in Stillwater, MN 7/25/26
Storytime Trolley, Stillwater, MN 7/25/26
NECA Convention on Marco Island with Randbys 4/20/26
Completed shell boxes NECA Convention on Marco Island 4/20/26
Completed shell boxes
Completed shell boxes
Shell bags, shell guides, & shell boxes for all the kids
Busy bedazzling her shell box
Designing the shell boxes and scenes for their clam shells
Kathy & Sophie…dear friends for many years!!!
Venice Book Fair, Venice, FL 3/28/26
Charlotte County Book & Arts Festival, mall in Port Charlotte, FL 4/15/26 (showing his design on his clam shell)
Charlotte County Book & Arts Festival 4/15/26 showing her shell turtle
Charlotte County Public Library (everyone got to make their own shell box) 3/28/26
Charlotte County Book & Arts Festival 3/28/26
Screenshot
Screenshot
My next project- make poodles out of spiny jewel box shells
Venice Book Fair 3/28/26 (making shell turtles)
Making shell turtles
Met my dear friend & critique partner, Katharine Reid for lunch at Columbia & a beach walk in Armand Circle
Charlotte County Library 3/14/26 (read Ocean Party & retold it with puppets; then made shell turtles)
Charlotte County Library 3/14/26 (creating ocean scenes on clam shells)
Charlotte County Library (reading The Shell Box) 3/14/26
Some of the SCBWI-WI members at the SCBWI 2026 Winter Conference in NYC 1/16-1/18/2026
Jennie Gollehan (RA-Nebraska), Joyce Uglow & KAthy Groth (co-RA’s-Wisconsin)
The 12 X 12 reception at the top of Marriot Marquis in Times Square
12 X 12 reception with founder, Julie Hedlund
12 X 12 reception
Storytime trolley in Stillwater, MN 7/25/26 The OCean Party puppeteers each got a paper rose as a thank you
Met Alli Dunlop (SCBWI-WI). Mother of 4 girls, veterinarian & children’s book author
Starstruck at the 2026 Winter Conference in NYC
The famous Books of Wonder bookstore in NYC
Joyce & I took in the Broadway show, Death Becomes Her
On the streets of Manhattan
My favorite shell museum on Sanibel Island, FL
I love when you find your book “in the wild”. This time at Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum on Sanibel Island
Doing a reading at Citrus & Sage Bookshop at their author fair in Brooksville, FL 11/22/25
Prize winners at the Citrus & Sage author fair
Citrus & Sage author fair, Brooksville, FL 11/22/25
My table at the Citrus & Sage author fair in Brooksville, FL 11/22/15
Rotary Park Local Authors Book Signing, Cape Coral, FL 11/8/25
The amazing Susan Johnston Taylor at the SCBWI-WI Engaging Stories Conference 9/29/25 in WI Dells (check out my interview with Susan on my uGROnews Substack)
The SCBWI-WI volunteers for the Engaging Stories conference 9/29/25 in WI Dells
Kathy & Joyce (SCBWI co-RA’s) & Anna Aronson (SCBWI IC) took Susan out for dinner
Hayward Primary School, Hayward, WI creating their own ABC’s of Hayward book 9/18/25
Hayward Primary School, Hayward, WI 9/18/25
Presenting the Abc’s of Hayward to the Hayward Primary School students 9/18/25
Storytime at the Friday Memorial Library in New Richmond , WI 11/5/25
Ocean activity at the Friday Memorial Library, New Richmond, WI 11/5/25
Teaching common shells at Friday Memorial Library, New Richmond, WI 11/5/25
Getting help from Mr. Jake, youth librarian at Friday Memorial Library in New Richmond , wi 11/5/25
Storytime at Friday Memorial Library in New Richmond, WI 11/5/25
SCBWI-WI’s table at the Green & Healthy Schools Conference at Boerner Botanical Garden, Hales Corners, WI 8/12/25
I was part of a panel to educate on using children’s books to teach about being green & healthy 8/12/25
Me, Cindy Schumerth & Susan Apps-Bodilly
Hayward Primary School presentation, Hayward, WI 9/18/25
Lumberjack World Championships in Hayward, WI. This boy told me I was his favorite author 🙂 7/19/25
Kris Ochu at the Lumberjack World Championship (another Hayward author) 7/19/25
Meeting Margi Preus, award-winning children’s author, for the first time in Duluth, MN 7/10/25
NECA Convention on Marco Island, 4/20/26
Making shell boxes
Making shell boxes
Fun with shells
Neca Convention. Every kid got a Shell Box book
Clam shells to decorate
NECA Convention, Marco Island, Supplies for the author event 4/20/26
Musky Fest in Hayward, WI with the greatest helpers, my sisters, Sheila & Sharon6/21/25
Grandma’s restaurant in Duluth, MN Spotting my book “out in the wild” again
Paper Mill Books, Manistique, MI
The owners of Paper Mill Books, Manistique, MI
Heading back to Minnesota from Florida…always writing 4/2026
Citrus & Sage Bookshop Brooksville, FL
Citrus & SAge Brooksville, FL
Musky Fest in front of Sweetgrass & Sage in Hayward, WI 6/21/25
Fall Fest in front of Rugged Roots in Hayward, WI 9/2026
Fall Fest in Hayward, WI in front of Rugged Roots 9/2025
Authorfestaramapalooza at Point Beach State Park in Two Rivers, WI 9/6/2025
Point Beach State Park 9/6/2025
Picture sent to me-reading the ABC’s of Hayward to her grandkids
Musky Fest 2025 with a couple of my Hayward neighbors 6/25/2025
SCBWI 2026 National Convention in NYC. Got to meet Jason Reynolds. 1/2026
SCBWI 2026 National Conference in NYC. Got to meet Tiffany D. Jackson. 1/2026
Joyce & I with Heidi Stemple (Jane Yolen’s daughter). 1/2026
Me with Jason Reynolds, National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. 1/2026
Me with Meg Medina. 1/2026
A friend sent me this at a shop in Duluth, MN
A woman seated at a table showing her books, engaging with a visitor. A banner in the background displays the author's credentials and book titles.
Book signing aboard the SS Badger from Manitowoc, WI to Ludington, MI 5/23/25
A selfie featuring two women smiling in front of a projection screen displaying the titles of books by author Kathy Groth.
Traverse City Elementary
A woman stands in front of a group of children seated in a library, holding a colorful book. A presentation screen displays artwork related to an ocean theme.
Traverse City Elementary
Exterior view of a quaint cottage-style bookshop with a wooden sign reading 'Cottage Book Shop,' surrounded by greenery and featuring a bear statue and potted plants.
Glen Arbor’s Cottage Book Shop 5/24/2025
Front view of a bookstore named 'The Book Store' with large windows displaying various books and signs announcing it is open. A bench is positioned outside, and there's greenery visible in the image.
The Bookstore in Cheboygan, MI 6/1/2025
A group of three people standing and sitting in a cozy bookstore. The man on the left is wearing a dark jacket, the woman in the middle is smiling and dressed in a black top with patterns, and the elderly woman on the right is sitting in a white chair, wearing glasses and holding a bag.
Meeting Dwight & Barbara was a highlight at The Bookstore in Frankfort,MI. 5/24/2025
Sign for 'Nerd Ferguson's' with a pixelated blue design above the entrance. Street view with people gathered around by the storefronts.
Nerd Ferguson’s in Mackinaw City, MI 6/1/2025
A woman stands beside a life-sized Stormtrooper mannequin in a shop with green accents and various merchandise displayed.
Met an interesting character at Nerd Ferguson’s in Mackinaw City, MI 6/1/2025
A selfie of a man and a woman on a boat, with water and a bridge in the background.
Glass-bottom boat ride to view shipwrecks in Lake Huron 5/31/2025
A large white hotel building with multiple floors and yellow awnings, surrounded by green grass and trees, with a clear blue sky in the background.
The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island 6/2/2025
A scenic view of a marina with several boats docked, backed by a row of charming houses and trees in the background.
The ferry ride into Mackinac Island 6/2/2025
A woman stands on a wooden bridge surrounded by vibrant flower gardens, featuring purple blooms in the foreground and colorful flowers in the background.
Secret Garden-
Grand Hotel Mackinac Island 6/2/2025
A woman sits at a table in a colorful bookstore, smiling and holding a bouquet of flowers. Several books are stacked on the table, one of which is titled 'SUNKEN.' The store features a blue door and shelves filled with various items in the background.
Book signing at the Island Bookstore on Mackinac Island, MI 6/2/2025
A teacher presenting to a group of children in a classroom, with educational materials displayed on a projection screen.
Mackinac Island Elementary 6/2/2025
Sign for 'Hoot & Honey Bookstore' featuring a stylized owl and bear design, with a black background and yellow lettering.
Manistee, MI 5/31/2025
A smiling woman holding a book and waving from behind a window in a bookstore, surrounded by shelves filled with various books and toys on display.
Hoot & Honey bookstore in Manistee, MI

May 2025

A large group of elementary students posing together in a classroom, with the word 'STEM' displayed on a wall behind them.
Riverview Elementary
A busy school hall during an event, with families interacting around tables displaying various items. Children eagerly participate, while adults assist and observe. Signs above indicate cooperative behavior, with colorful posters adorning the walls.
Riverview Elementary
A woman standing behind a table displaying her books, including 'The Shell Box,' 'Sunken,' and 'Ocean Party,' at an event with colorful artwork in the background.
Riverview Elementary
A group of children are gathered around a table in a school hallway, participating in an activity where they handle seashells and other items. Some children are organizing or inspecting shells, while others are engaged in conversation. Educational signs about cooperation and responsibility are visible in the background.
Riverview Elementary
A teacher reading a book titled 'Ocean Party' to a group of attentive children in a classroom setting.
Riverview Elementary
A cheerful author, Kathy Groth, engages a group of attentive children during a book reading session, with colorful books displayed in the background and a puppet in her hand.
Riverview Elementary
A group of students listening attentively in a library, with a teacher presenting information on a screen about Milwaukee Public Schools. The background features shelves of books and a colorful sign that says 'NONFICTION'.
Milwaukee Public Schools
A group of six girls and a teacher posing playfully around a table with a small campfire model, smiling and making peace signs. The background features a library with shelves of books.
Milwaukee Public Schools
A presenter speaking to a group of children seated in a library setting. A screen displays information about an author.
Milwaukee Public Schools
Milwaukee Public Schools
A teacher reading a book to students in a library setting. The teacher is wearing a colorful outfit and holding the book titled 'Sunken.' Students are engaged in the lesson, seated at tables with various materials in front of them.
Milwaukee Public Schools
A group of students engaged in a drawing activity at a library table, with some students focused on their sketches while others observe.
Milwaukee Public Schools

Late Summer/Fall 2024

Valley Bookstore Trolley Sept. ’24
8/22/24 Author event at Literatus & Co. in Watertown, WI. Thanks co-owner Isabelle.
8/21/24 Green & Healthy Schools Conference at UWM in Milwaukee.
Me & Joyce Uglow, promoting her new book, Stuck (about the LaBrea tarpits), coming out this January.
8/29/24 Author presentation at Amery Public Library, followed by turtle & treasure box crafts.
Doing a puppet retelling of Ocean Party
Valley Bookstore Trolley Sept. ’24
Book signing after the trolley in Stillwater,MN
Such a special author visit in Milwaukee- had 3 divers in the audience. 2 were even in my Sunken book.
7/31/24 Ellsworth library
7/31/24 Puppets with Ocean Party at the Ellsworth library.
8/10/24 The Stillwater Storytime Trolley
8/10/24 The Stillwater Storytime Trolley
8/10/24 The Stillwater Storytime Trolley, sponsored by Valley Booksellers
7/15/24 Such an honor to meet Harrison (& family) at the Friday Memorial Library in New Richmond, WI. He is a big fan of Sunken, Shipwrecks of Lake Superior!
6/13/24 Author signing at Manitowoc Marina. Thanks Monica!
6/13/24 Manitowoc Marina-what could be better than signing books on beautiful Lake Michigan?
6/12/24 Author signing at Yardstick Books in Algoma, WI. Thanks owner, Heidi!
Author signing at WordHaven Bookhouse in Sheboygan, WI. Thanks owner, CJ!
LaDeDa Books in Manitowoc, WI. Met owner, Bev while doing research in 2019!
6/11/24 My author friend Sara Biren came up to meet me at Paper Crane Books in Two Rivers, WI. Thanks owners, Kyle & Rebecca!
6/14/24 Author signing at beautiful Blue Harbor Resort in Sheboygan, WI. Thanks Lisa for setting it up and Donna for carrying my book in the gift shop!
6/14/24 Beautiful Blue Harbor Resort on Lake Michigan, Sheboygan, WI.
6/15/24 Visited The Chicago Maritime Museum to see Valerie van Heest’s Lady Elgin display! So worth the trip! Thanks Ariana & Kath for carrying my book!
6/14/24 Cozy reading spot outside of Word Haven Bookhouse in Sheboygan, WI.
6/17/24 Great turnout at Retzer Nature Center in Waukesha, WI.
6/17/24 The Montessori School of Waukesha. Love seeing kids reading-especially when they’re totally engrossed in Sunken, Shipwrecks of Lake Michigan!
6/20/24 While signing books at Forever Books in St. Joseph, MI, I met Pam Powell, movie reviewer on CBS 58 and Reel Talk on Racine & Me. She is delightful! Thanks owner, Robin for hosting me and Dianna & Beth for a very enjoyable afternoon!
6/20/24 Boat enthusiasts testing their boat knowledge at Michigan Maritime Museum in South Haven, MI. Thanks Ashley for inviting me to this totally renovated museum! I barely recognized it!
6/22/24 The truly magical Storybook Village in Pentwater, MI. We had fun performing Ocean Party as a puppet show! The owner (& child whisperer) Barbara, had all the puppets!
6/22/24 I so enjoyed meeting the owner, Barbara, of Storybook Village! It is amazing what she & her husband Tom have created in Pentwater, MI.
Want to be a maritime archaeologist like Lacey?
6/22/24 Some of the puppeteers at Storybook Village in Pentwater, MI.
6/17/24 Just one of the activities at The Montessori School of Waukesha.
6/24/24 My final author stop at Novel Bay Booksellers in Sturgeon Bay, WI. Thanks owner, Liz!
6/17/24 Coloring sheets, ship identification & maritime archaeology activities at the Montessori School in Waukesha.
6/27/24 Author reading/signing at Friday Memorial Library in New Richmond, WI. Thank you Ashley for setting it up.
6/27/24 Identifying shells at Friday Memorial Library in New Richmond, WI.
6/21/24 A fun change speaking to adults about Sunken, Shipwrecks of Lake Michigan at the Holland Museum in Holland, MI. Thank you Danial for setting it up-what a beautiful historic museum it is!
6/23/24 Such a highlight to meet Deb Wayman, owner of Fair Isle Books on Washington, Island, WI. She paid for my ferry, hosted a book signing at the museum, gave me a tour of the island, took me to dinner and put me up in a beautiful home ovrlooking Lake Michigan! I just can’t say thank you enough!
6/21/24 Storytime at the Bookman in Grand Haven, MI. Afterwards, the kids created their own lighthouses to take home.
6/20/24 Maritime activities at the Michigan Maritime Museum in South Haven, MI.
6/15/24 Such a special night at Lion’s Tooth in Milwaukee with owner, Cris Siqueira & Kosana Stojcevic (next picture)! These 2 gals helped me plan out the settings for my next 2 Sunken books! I amm so grateful to have met them both!
6/15/24 Kosana & me (somehow we cut off most of Cris!!!)
6/22/24 Inside the puppet theater at Storybook Village in Pentwater, Mi.
6/20 Some of the avid readers I met at Forever Books In St. Joseph, MI.
6/19/24 This amazing artist not only designed her t-shirt but designed the display about Miss Colfax’s lighthouse (book by my friend, Aimee Bissonette).
6/17/24 A variety of activities to follow-up my author talk at The Montessoi School of Waukesha.
6/22/24 I met this beautiful, aspiring author at Storybook Village in Pentwater, MI.
6/17/24 An enthusiastic bunch of kids at the Montessori School of Waukesha.
6/23/24 Doing a signing at the museum on Washington Island, WI.
6/27/24 Doing an author event at “my” library in New Richmond, WI.
6/17/24 A great bunch of seniors at Avalon Senior Living in Waukesha, WI.
6/22/24 Making lighthouses at the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum in Ludington, MI.
6/22/24 Presenting at the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum in Ludington, MI.
6/22/24 Magical Storybook Village in Pentwater, MI.
6/22/24 Making lighthouses at the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum in Ludington, MI.
Lighthouse ideas
6/22/24 Storybook Village Puppeteers, Pentwater, MI.
6/22/24 This small group requested a reading of Sunken, Shipwrecks of Lake Michigan.
6/19/24 Climbed the lighthouse at the Old Lighthouse Museum in Michigan City, IN.
4/20/24 My book launch at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc, WI.
4/20/24 The wonderful organizers at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc, WI-Caroline Diemer & Greg Lutz
4/20/24 Lucy helped me with my launch.
4/20/24 Met another Kathy Groth from Manitowoc, WI.
3/9/24 Reading The Shell Box to the kids at Dorothy June Bookstore in Foley, AL.
3/9/24 Teaching the kids the different shells at Dorothy June Bookstore in Foley, AL.
3/9/24 Crafts included making shell boxes, shell turtles & coloring sheets for the youngest kids.
3/9/24 Once a teacher, always a teacher. Teaching the different parts of a book cover.
3/9/24 Exploring shells.
3/9/24 Kids & parents alike seemed to enjoy hearing The Shell Box at Dorothy June Bookstore.
3/11/24 Stapleton Elementary School in Stapleton, AL. Each class got to make their own shell box.
3/11/24 Sitting around the “campfire”, sharing story starters.
3/11/24 An author visit at Stapleton Elementary School in Stapleton, AL.
3/11/24 Stapleton Elementary School
3/11/24 “Campfire” conversations.
3/13/24 Author reading at Page & Palette Bookstore in Fairhope, AL.
3/13/24 Making shell turtles at Page & Palette in Fairhope, AL.
3/13/24 Some of the group showing off their shell turtles at Page & Palette Bookstore in Fairhope, AL.
2/6/24 Each class got to make a shell box at Gulf Shores Elementary School.
2/6/24 Author visit to Gulf Shores Elelmentary Schhol in Gulf Shores, AL.
2/6/24 Gulf Shores Elementary School.
2/6/24 Getting ready to write with “campfire conversations” to get their brains ready.
2/6/24 A quick write at Gulf Shores Elementary School.
2/6/24 Gulf Shores Elementary School.
2/6/24 “Campfire conversations” at Gulf Shores Elementary School.
1/27/24 Gumbo Fest in Foley, AL.
1/27/24 Gumbo Fest booth in Foley, AL.
Winter, 2024-We made the cover (with a very nice article) of Gulf Coast Snowbirds magazine.
Met William Kent Krueger at Deep Valley Book Festival in Mankato, MN.
Aimee Bissonette & me at Deep Valley Book Festival.
Our booth at Deep Valley Book Festival.
Authors/illustrators at Deep Valley Book Festival.
Fall Fest in Hayward, WI.
Guest speaker at Donor Recognition Night for the Sherman Weiiss Library in Hayward, WI.
Donor Recognition Night.
Great turnout for the Donor Recognition Night.
Cookie Bonicatto introducing me.
Making shell boxes.
Presentation at Amery Public LIbrary.
Read-aloud at Amery Public Library.
Shells, shells, shells!
Shell identification.
Superior School District-did 29 presentations in 1 week!
Superior School District
Superior School District
The new addition to the “Sunken”series
Our new logo for the publishing company
Off to the beach
NEMBA award
Social links
Beachcomber’s treasure
Mardi Gras night at Gulf Shores Surf and Racquet Club
First signing at Lake Superior Magazine
Book signing at Canal Park in Duluth
Bay Days in Ashland, WI
First Time Author, June 2021