More About Laura Gehl (She/Her)
Languages: English
Laura Gehl is the author of more than fifty books for young readers, including board books, lift-the-flap books, picture books, early readers, and middle grade nonfiction.
Laura’s books have received many awards and honors, including Kirkus Best Picture Books of the Year selection, Junior Library Guild selection, PJ Library selection, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library selection, White Ravens International Children’s and Youth Literature selection, Indie Next List, CCBC choices selection, ALA Notable selection, Booklist Editors’ Choice, Amazon Editors’ Choice, Charlotte Zolotow Highly Commended Title, ILA Honor Book, and the Mathical Award.
When she isn’t writing, Laura is probably making/eating ice cream, walking in the woods, or reading. She lives in Maryland with her husband and four kids.
You can find Laura online at:
Video: Apple and Magnolia Read-Aloud
Video: Cat Has a Plan Read-Aloud
Laura’s strengths are…
Writing in different genres and styles (board book, lift-the-flap book, early reader, picture book, middle grade, rhyme, prose, fiction, nonfiction, humorous, serious, secular, religious)
Love of the messy first draft
Ruthless revision
Finding book ideas everywhere
Balancing humor and heart
Working at lightning speed
What Laura is Looking for…
Laura is looking for a mentee who is able to devote time to writing at least a few days per week. She would love a mentee who has several strong projects ready to work on, perhaps projects that are very different from one another, and more ideas on the back burner. Laura’s ideal mentee will be willing to work hard and try radical revisions if suggested. In return, Laura will respond quickly and thoroughly to all manuscripts that are shared, as well as any industry-related questions.
A Note from Laura:
“I had the privilege of mentoring three unagented writers through a different mentorship program; all three went on to become agented and publish beautiful books. I am delighted to have another opportunity to serve as a mentor. I've made plenty of mistakes since I started writing children's books twenty years ago, and I've learned a lot. I look forward to passing on that knowledge! If you have a good sense of humor, boundless curiosity, and a strong work ethic; if you have already devoted years of time and energy to working on your craft; and if writing brings you tremendous joy (in addition to the inevitable frustration)...then we would be a good match. I can’t wait to read your application!”
Laura’s Picture Books
Laura has more picture books than the ones below and writes in other markets, so to check out her full catalog please visit her website.
EXCEPT WHEN THEY DON’T, written by Laura Gehl and illustrated by Joshua Heinsz
MAY SAVES THE DAY, written by Laura Gehl and illustrated by Serena Lombardo
SAVING DELICIA, written by Laura Gehl and illustrated by Patricia Metola
ROBOT SHABBAT, written by Laura Gehl and illustrated by Dave Williams
ONE BIG PAIR OF UNDERWEAR, written by Laura Gehl and illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld
THE NINJA CLUB SLEEPOVER, written by Laura Gehl and illustrated by MacKenzie Haley
GRANDPA’S WINDOW, written by Laura Gehl and illustrated by Udayana Lugo
SNOW IS…, written by Laura Gehl and illustrated by Sonia Sánchez
JUNIPER KAI: SUPER SPY, written by Laura Gehl and illustrated by Alexandria Neonakis
DELIVERY BEAR, written by Laura Gehl and illustrated by Paco Sordo
DONUT: THE UNICORN WHO WANTED TO FLY, written by Laura Gehl and illustrated by Andrea Zuill
JUDGE JULIETTE, written by Laura Gehl and illustrated by Mari Lobo
THE HIKING VIKING, written by Laura Gehl and illustrated by Timothy Banks
APPLE AND MAGNOLIA, written by Laura Gehl and illustrated by Patricia Metola
ALWAYS LOOKING UP: NANCY GRACE ROMAN, ASTRONOMER, written by Laura Gehl and illustrated by Louise Pigott
HAPPY OWL-OWEEN, written by Laura Gehl and illustrated by Lydia Nichols
HAPPY LLAMAKKAH! written by Laura Gehl and illustrated by Lydia Nichols
KOALA CHALLAH, written by Laura Gehl and illustrated by Maria Mola
If Laura created a Visual Wish List, it would be made up of…
*Unless otherwise stated, the below serves as a wish list only. Each mentor is excited about the opportunity to find a manuscript they can’t stop thinking about. Please apply if you think you’d be a good fit.
Humor like:
A is for Another Rabbit by Hannah Batsel
Poopsie Gets Lost by Hannah Harrison
Mr. S by Monica Arnaldo
Innovative nonfiction like:
Leafy Landmarks, written by Michelle Schaub and illustrated by Anne Lambelet
Butt or Face by Kari Allen
One Day This Tree Will Fall, written by Leslie Barnard Booth and illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman
How to Build an Insect, written by Roberta Gibson and illustrated by Anne Lambelet
Complicated, messy, yet positive friendships and family relationships like:
Shrinking (the TV show)
Big, dramatic energy like these songs from musicals:
Do You Hear the People Sing? from Les Mis
Defying Gravity from Wicked
Arcs from doom and gloom to hope like:
Sipsworth by Simon van Booy
Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting by Clare Pooley
Laura is a good fit for…
Writers working in multiple genres
Writers experimenting with inventive structures or outside-of-the-box concepts
Writers who love science
Writers who love nature
Funny writers
Jewish writers
Neurodiverse writers
Any writer interested in sharing their ethnic/cultural/religious/gender identity through their work
Laura is not a good fit for…
Writers whose humor is primarily pun-based
Food stories, unless history- or science-based nonfiction
Didactic books, unless the underlying message is complemented by humor, loveable characters, or a unique format
Who can apply to Laura? Unagented and Agented authors.
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