Woodbury Author’s New Children’s Book Celebrates Courage

Woodbury resident Elizabeth Verdick has been writing children’s book since the day her daughter (now 16) was born.

Since then, she’s published more than 40 books, many of which have been translated into foreign languages and are sold internationally.

Her latest one is a picture book called Peep Leap, a story that was inspired by a field trip she and her son attended with Woodbury Elementary.

At the time, her son was a kindergartner. The students went to Minneapolis to visit the Bell Museum of Natural History. There, Verdick saw a display of a wood duck family—the mother ducks nest in tall trees near ponds or lakes. When the ducklings hatch, they must make the leap to the ground below, which occurs on their second day of life.

“Imagining these tiny balls of fluff leaving their nest to drop as far as fifty feet to the ground was my inspiration,” Verdick said. “The baby ducks aren’t even able to fly yet. Their journey reminded me of the many leaps young children take each day—leaps in their learning and growth, and sometimes leaps of courage. I wanted to write a book to celebrate these moments in life.”

Related: Woodbury Woman Pens ‘Survival Guide for Kids with Autism’

Peep Leap is more than a story about nature. It is also a counting book that helps children count to 10 and back again.

“The story focuses on the littlest duck who is scared to make the leap,” Verdick said. “Young children in Minnesota are often frightened that first time jumping into a lake or off a diving board. They can relate to the baby duck’s fears.”

She will sign books and host activities for kids 12:30-3 p.m. Saturday, April 20, at the Wargo Nature Center in Lino Lakes. This is a free event for families, celebrating Earth Day and the nature center’s 20th anniversary.

People can buy the book at Amazon.com or by ordering it through bookstores. 

For more information about the author, visit Verdick’s website.

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