Nicole Garnett

As an early childhood educator, Nicole has a deep love for picture books and creating activities and printables that can be used as an extension of learning for those stories. From being in the classroom for 8 years to having three kids under the age of 6 (TWIN MOM!), and now a tutor, Nicole knows the importance of growing a love for reading at a young age. Especially when she was NOT a child who enjoyed reading, and really didn’t develop a true love for reading until college (and even now, it’s mostly picture books on her shelves). 

Nicole grew a passion for writing when she turned an online teaching class she created and taught, into her first picture book (rhyming of course ;) and then more ideas continued to come to her. Nicole has a special place for humorous and “just for fun” picture books as those are the ones she and her children tend to pick up the most.

Nicole offers picture book critiques, features two picture books a month on her blog, Picture Books, Printables, and Play—OH MY!, belongs to two amazing critique groups, runs a TeachersPayTeachers store and is a SCWBI member. 

Nicole is represented by literary agent, Amanda Carbonell at Belcastro Agency.

Home Life!

Nicole is currently a stay-at-home-mom and tutor while she pursues her writing dreams. She lives in Minnesota with her husband, 6-year-old son, 3-year-old boy/girl twins, and Australian Shepherd, Roo.

Some of her favorite things include:

  • Writing before anyone else wakes up

  • Traveling (she met her Aussie husband while studying abroad in Australia)

  • Cooking (NOT baking)

  • Running (have ran 2 full marathons and several half marathons)

  • Going to the cabin and fishing

  • Puzzles and game nights with family and friends

  • All things fall

  • Christmas

Fun Facts About Nicole

  • She has taught on three continents: North America, Australia and Asia

  • Nicole lived in Australia for a total of 2 years

  • Her family has an Australian Shepherd named Roo

  • Her favorite food is cheese (any and all seafood is a close second)

  • Obsessed with the number 12

  • The first “picture book” she ever wrote was called If You Give a Baby a Bottle. She wrote it in elementary school as an assignment to reimagine If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. It was pretty good ;)

  • Her favorite animal is a koala (of course)

“A day without laughter, is a day wasted”