Author Profile
Pat Zietlow Miller
13 Books
Pat Zietlow Miller is an acclaimed author of numerous picture books that focus on themes of empathy, resilience, and community. She is best known for her bestselling and award-winning books, including 'Be Kind' and 'Sophie's Squash'. Her heartfelt stories are beloved by children, parents, and educators alike for their gentle, relatable lessons.
The fire is crackling in the stove and the whole house smells like roasting turkey. Step back in time to the turn of the twentieth century and join a bustling family as they prepare their special Thanksgiving meal together. Every single person has an important job to do. Mama is getting the turkey ready while Daddy tends to the warm fire. You can watch as Sister kneads the dough and Brother carefully bastes the meat. Even the littlest baby is part of the action. Told in a fun bouncing rhythm this cozy story invites you into a warm kitchen filled with love and laughter. Grab a seat at the table and see how wonderful it feels when a family works as a team to share a delicious holiday meal.
6-8 Years
Grape juice is everywhere. When Tanisha spills it all over her brand new dress during school you can imagine exactly how she feels. Watching from across the room her classmate wants to help but is not quite sure how. What does it actually mean to be kind anyway. Is it giving someone a tissue or sitting by them when they feel sad. Maybe it is standing up for a friend or just asking the new girl to play. Join this beautiful journey through the hallways and playgrounds as you discover how even the smallest acts of kindness can completely change someones day. You will learn that you do not need to do anything huge to make a massive difference. Sometimes just two simple words are enough to change the world.
6-8 Years
37 Pages
The road outside your door is calling your name. Where will it take you today. Join a brave rabbit and a group of animal friends as they hop on their bicycles and pedal into the great unknown. You will journey over soaring mountain peaks navigate through loud bustling cityscapes and cruise down long winding paths that seem to go on forever. Every bend in the road reveals a brand new magical world waiting to be explored. This beautifully rhyming adventure celebrates the thrill of traveling to exciting new places and the joy of seeing things you have never seen before. But do not worry if you travel too far. You will quickly discover that the very same roads that take you on grand adventures will always lead you safely back home again.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
Stella is a scientist and scientists rely on hard evidence. Right now all the evidence points to one undeniable fact. Her brand new baby brother is actually a duck. He has fuzzy yellow hair he waddles when he moves and he certainly quacks a lot. But a good researcher never jumps to conclusions without thorough investigation. You get to be Stellas lab partner as she gathers clues takes notes and observes this strange new creature living in her house. Is it possible her parents brought home a baby waterfowl instead of a human boy. Get ready to laugh out loud as you follow Stellas hilarious scientific process. This silly and sweet story perfectly captures how weird and wonderful it can be when a new baby sibling joins your family.
6-8 Years
42 Pages
Missing someone who lives far away can make your heart feel heavy. When your grandmother is all the way over there and you are stuck all the way over here the distance feels impossible. But what if you could close your eyes and invent ways to reach her. You might imagine blasting off in a rocket ship strapping on a jet pack or riding a speeding train across the country. In this touching story you will explore all the wonderful and creative ways to bridge the gap between you and the people you love. With special cutouts right in the pages that make the journey feel real this book proves that no matter how many miles separate you your loved ones are never truly far away from your heart.
6-8 Years
25 Pages
You might be the kind of person who is quiet as a mouse or you might be someone who shines brighter than a star. It does not matter if you are loud or soft tall or small because there is only one you in the entire universe. Step into a vibrant world that celebrates every single thing that makes you unique. This book is a cheering squad just for you encouraging you to be yourself instead of trying to act like everyone else. Whether your talent is building towering blocks painting colorful masterpieces or just being a good listener your special skills are needed. Read along and discover how truly wonderful it feels to embrace exactly who you are and share your remarkable self with the rest of the world.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
A rock might look like just a plain ordinary lump sitting on the ground. But if you look closer you will see endless possibilities. Pick it up and feel its weight. You can skip it across a shimmering pond or sort a whole pile by size and color. You can use rocks to build towering castles watch them sparkle in the sunlight or even keep them in your pocket as tiny treasures of magic. Join this wonderful celebration of the great outdoors and creative play. You will learn that the best thing you can do with a beautiful rock is share it with a friend. Grab your favorite stone and discover how something so simple can spark your imagination and bring incredible stories to life.
6-8 Years
36 Pages
The giant rock climbing wall in the gym looks completely impossible. Tanisha knows her muscles are not as big or fast as the other kids and she is ready to give up before she even starts. But what if being strong has nothing to do with lifting heavy things. When Tanisha talks to her family she discovers a totally different kind of strength. You will learn alongside her that showing up when you are scared speaking out when it matters and refusing to quit takes the most muscle of all. See how trusting your friends and working as a team makes everyone powerful. This inspiring story will show you that even on the days you feel small you have incredible strength hiding right inside your heart.
6-8 Years
19 Pages
Some days, the world feels too big. A goodbye can feel hard. A new place can feel strange. A dark road ahead can make you feel small and quiet.
In When You Are Brave, a young girl faces moments that worry her as she moves through unfamiliar places and uncertain feelings. Step by step, she learns to look inward for a small spark of courage that can grow when she needs it most.
With lyrical language and glowing illustrations, this reassuring picture book speaks directly to children navigating change, fear, or new beginnings. It offers a gentle story about bravery as something you can find inside yourself, even when you do not feel brave yet.
6-8 Years
41 Pages
Bernice is not your average best friend. For one thing she is a squash. While other kids might play with dolls or action figures Sophie prefers the company of her favorite vegetable picked straight from the farmers market. The two of you will go everywhere together from the library to the playroom. But as the leaves start falling and winter approaches Sophie notices something is happening to Bernice. Her parents warn her that squash are not meant to last forever. What do you do when your very best friend in the whole world starts to get soft and spotty. You will have to read to find out how Sophie solves her squash sized problem in this funny and heartwarming story about friendship love and the changing seasons.
6-8 Years
42 Pages
The first day of school is scary enough without having to make human friends. Sophie would much rather hang out with Bonnie and Baxter the two baby squash she grew in her very own garden. When she brings her vegetable best friends to class the other kids do not quite understand. Then there is Steven Green. He sits too close at circle time and breathes on her while she paints. Steven really wants to be friends but Sophie is just not interested. However Sophie knows her squash will not stay fresh forever. Join Sophie as she slowly realizes that making human friends is a lot like growing a garden. It takes a little bit of patience a good apology and just the right amount of time to blossom.
6-8 Years
22 Pages
Your shoes might have holes in them but your feet are lightning fast. Alta knows she is the quickest kid in her entire town just like her hero Wilma Rudolph. Tomorrow is the big parade celebrating Wilmas three Olympic gold medals and Alta can hardly wait. But then a new girl struts into the neighborhood wearing bright shiny new sneakers and challenges Alta to a race. Suddenly being the fastest is not quite as easy as it used to be. Step onto the dusty roads of a segregated town where you will discover what it means to run with all your heart. This inspiring story shows you that true speed comes from determination and that sometimes the greatest victories happen when rivals decide to become teammates instead.
6-8 Years
41 Pages
The flat concrete roof of your new school might not look like much right now. But to Millie it looks like a perfect place to grow something beautiful. Moving to a new city far away from the garden her family used to have has been really tough. When Millie pitches the idea to transform the bare school roof into a bustling vegetable garden she quickly realizes that big dreams take serious work. You will join Millie her teacher and her classmates as they roll up their sleeves to haul dirt build planting beds and sow seeds. Most importantly you will discover the hardest part of gardening which is waiting. Learn how patience teamwork and a whole lot of community spirit can turn a plain roof into a blooming harvest.
6-8 Years
33 Pages
