Welcome! Kathie McMahon is a children's lit author who writes engaging books for kids age 6-12. Current chapter book series, Mortimer and Me, focuses on 8-year-old Jimmy Robertson and his friend Mortimer, a friendly moose who wanders into Jimmy's town of Peabody, Wisconsin.
Books and Stories
Winner -
Royal Dragonfly Award
2020
Mortimer and Me
A boy and a moose . . .
What could possibly go wrong?
Eight-year-old Jimmy is the new kid in school and he’s already been labeled as a troublemaker. After his first attempt to make a friend has disastrous results, the only one who seems to care about him is Mortimer – a big ole clumsy moose that wanders into town causing problems of his own. Jimmy and Mortimer face one setback after another, including a run-in with a couple of bullies and an escape by the class pet. The soccer game between the teachers and the third graders might be the opportunity Jimmy is searching for. Can he and Mortimer finally prove to everyone that they belong?
If it is to be, it’s up to me!
Read article here!
A Chapter Book for ages 6-9
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You can download an ARC and write a review by clicking here.
Pockets Magazine
August 2019
"Gator Boy vs. the Bully"
To read story, click here.
Featured in Gilbert Sun News - Page 19
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Mortimer and Me: The Bigfoot Mystery
What's this mean?
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It all started with a huge footprint . . .
Eight-year-old Jimmy and his moose friend Mortimer join the rest of the Trailblazers on a camping trip to earn their Outdoor Adventure badge. What starts out as a team building exercise soon turns into an investigation of a mysterious footprint that can’t be described as animal or human. What kind of creature made it and where did it go? One discovery leads to another, until no one knows what to believe anymore. But one thing is for sure . . . they are not alone.
Take only memories, leave only footprints.
You can download an ARC and write a review by clicking here.
Mortimer and Me:
Moose For Hire
Friends come in all shapes and sizes . . .
Another adventure with eight-year-old Jimmy and his moose friend Mortimer leads them on a mission. When Grandpa's childhood friend, Charlie, falls after helping Jimmy and his dad build a treehouse, Jimmy feels responsible. To make matters worse, Jimmy overhears his parents express concern for Charlie's medical bills. Determined to help, Jimmy and Mortimer set out to find a summer job. Despite failing at mowing lawns, delivering groceries, spinning signs, and walking dogs, Jimmy finally comes up with the perfect plan. That is, until a catastrophe threatens to destroy everything.
A Chapter Book for ages 6-9
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Believe in yourself and you're halfway there!
A Moose is on the Loose!
Jimmy begins fourth grade with the rest of his Trailblazer buddies. Enter Mr. Delgado, the coolest teacher ever. Jimmy and classmate Chelsey team up for the school's science fair with one goal: Win first prize with an experiment no one's ever done before. However, Kevin and Bradley have other ideas. When the experiment goes terribly wrong, the Trailblazers set out on a rescue mission like no other!
Together we achieve the Extraordinary!
Events
School Visits: Now scheduling in-person and virtual visits for the 2021-2022 school year. Contact me to set a date!
March 4, 2022 - St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School, Phoenix, AZ
Book Festivals:
Book Signings:
August 21, 2021, 1:00-3:00pm: Barnes & Noble-Dana Park, Mesa, AZ
October 30, 2021, 10:30-12:00 - Book Launch of The House on Briarwood Lane, Gilbert Historical Museum/Neely Community Room
November 27, 2021, 10:00am-3:30pm - Glendale Sparkle, Arrowhead Mall
December 4, 2021, 10am-4pm - Book Fair benefiting East Valley Children's Theatre, Barnes & Noble-Dana Park, Mesa, AZ
December 5, 2021, 2:30-6:00pm - Glendale Sparkle, Arrowhead Mall
December 6, 2021, 10:00am-3:30pm - Glendale Sparkle, Arrowhead Mall
Special Online Events:
I now have a YouTube channel! Look for me under Kathie McMahon, Children's Author. My first video features one of the experiments done by Jimmy and Chelsey in my new book, Moose In Space. I just added a chat with illustrator Tom Tate.
Check them out here!
Reviews
"I was looking forward to seeing what new adventure Jimmy and Mortimer would have in the sequel, Mortimer and Me: The Bigfoot Mystery. In this story, Mortimer and Jimmy join the Trailblazers and head to the woods to earn their Outdoor Adventure badge. Of course, there are many surprises throughout the trip, and the reader is never sure what they might find next. A great story for elementary students and a fun, exciting read-aloud for teachers."
"In Jimmy and Mortimer's next adventure, mysterious footprints spark the Trailblazers' curiosity on their camping trip. But are the "Bigfoot" footprints for real, or is Bigfoot just a ghost story? Either way, Jimmy is determined to find out. As he investigates, he learns the value of teamwork, friendship, and forgiveness. A fun mystery for early elementary grades."
"Filled with laughter and adventure, the reader is pulled into Jimmy’s orbit as he and his pals navigate the 4th grade science fair! Rocketry, teamwork, perseverance, problem-solving and resilience set the scene and you can't help but cheer for the kids in Mr. Delgado's 4th grade class. Moose In Space is a must read for every classroom!"
Peggy Yaw, Resource Center Specialist, Barbara Bush Elementary School -
Mesa, Arizona
Karen S. Chow, Author,
Miracle (coming Spring 2022)
Colleen Howard, STEM Specialist
Mesa Public Schools -
Mesa, AZ
Arizona children's lit author | Kathiemcmahon
Read more reviews here.
