Hopping Fun Creations
5606 North Dixboro Rd.
Ann Arbor MI 48105
734-662-5201

Twitter: @​HoppingFun




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DIMMI (Tell Me)



While researching a book about Leonardo da Vinci and his inventions, I came across a charming detail. Here and there in the margins of his famous notebooks, he scribbled the Italian word dimmi (DEE-mee). Some scholars suggest that he was just testing the ink in his pen.

They might be right. But my creative gut says there's more to it than that. The word translates as "tell me" in English, but its meaning can be far more engaging. To Italians, the word stands in for: tell me, say something, ask me, explain it to me, I'm listening, can I take your order? . . . engage me in conversation.

Who was Leonardo engaging when he wrote, "Dimmi, why does the moon shine?" Or, "Dimmi, why are there fossils of sea creatures on mountain tops?" His own genius mind? His fellow inventors? His creative muse? Maybe the list even includes us—his future readers.

In this single word, I've found a bridge between my life as a science writer and as a language-loving cultural junkie. As a writer, I share and seek stories about engaging exchanges with people from around the world.

So, dimmi.

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EMAIL LORRAINE
EMAIL LOUISE (Readalicious! blog)

Contact and Connect


I won this giant pencil playing The Commons, a Come Out and Play mobile app game in New York.

Editors, Publishers, and Producers


Call or email to discuss how I can help you meet your editorial goals or to request samples of books, games, puzzles, articles, scripts, and other professionally published content. I also have prototypes and proposals for games that teach English language, math, American history, grammar, and vocabulary. Let's talk!

Email Lorraine

Author Visits


If you're a children's librarian, teacher, or bookstore owner/​manager in the southeast Michigan area and would like to invite me to give a talk, please contact me for availability and rates.

I can discuss writing nonfiction and fiction, careers in journalism or publishing, game inventing, or the subject matter of any or all of my 50+ books (links at right). Science is one of my passions, but I write about a range of topics.

I love to answer questions from kids! The best way to submit them is by email or snail mail (addresses at left).

ARCS and Review Copies for Readalicious!


Authors, editors, publishers: Louise accepts ARCs and review copies of books that are aimed squarely at tweens (ages 10 to 12.5), fiction and nonfiction, for consideration on her Readalicious! blog. Note that she limits her posts to books she highly recommends and all submissions are nonreturnable.

Louise Hopping
c/​o St. Michael School
11311 Hubbard
Livonia, MI 48150

Featured Books and Games

Children's Books
Read the sad, moving tale of a peace-loving leader who lost his land, many of his people, and his life-long fight to keep the peace with settlers and soldiers. (FREEBIE history puzzles.)
Is it possible to fall in love with bones? Try not to, after you read about Diane France's true-life science adventures, searching for and examining skeletons. A 2006 Outstanding Science Trade Book "Selector's Choice" (NSTA/CBC). Starred review in Booklist. 2007 Finalist, SB&F "Young Adult" science books!
How did a young Argentine with an endless imagination make her dream of exploring space come true? Adriana Ocampo found her path to science adventure through space-traveling robots and crashing asteroids and comets! (FREEBIE science quizzes, FREE ebooks.)
Autopsies/The Body as Evidence and Crime Scene Investigation!
Venus and Serena, Peyton Manning, Michelle Kwan, and others for ages 6-9. (FREEBIE sports quizzes.)
Outdoor fun for 6 to 9 year olds.
Tornadoes! and Hurricanes! are my two best-selling books with 1.6 million sold!
Games
Seeking an educational game publisher: It's a must-have card game set for English and language arts teachers and tutors. (FREEBIE English materials.)
This is my top seller for teachers. (Click for "Freebie" puzzles.)
Packed with ready–to-go, lively games and activities about grammar, vocabulary, and dictionary skills. (FREEBIE word puzzles.)
A collection of Great American History Games and 15 Primary Source Activities (plays, scripts, games, readings, and more)
Race from Earth to Mars, an orbiting target, by fixing malfunctions and answering intriguing science questions. Endorsed by astronaut Jack Lousma.