Dana Staves

Going through life with an apron tied on and a pen in her hand, Dana Staves writes about books and food. She also writes a little fiction. She lives in Maryland with her wife, their son, and their cat.

9 Sweet Books for Teaching Toddlers Good Manners

As toddlers talk more and begin to assert their way in the world, parents could use a collection of sweet books for teaching toddlers good manners.

Some Mommies Have Big Hair…Like Me, Apparently

Rioter Dana has begun to see herself through her son's eyes thanks to Todd Parr's The Mommy Book. Because apparently she's the mommy with big hair.

My Emotional Education: On Reading Romance and Naming Feelings

Rioter Dana has been teaching her toddler all about feelings, but when she looks at her own reading life, she sees that emotional education is for all ages.

Barack Obama Shares His Latest Summer Reading List

We're not ready for fall until President Obama shares his latest reads. And now that it has happened, and it's such a wonderful list, bring on the PSL.

The Beauty of the Book Syllabus (or How to Read with Intention)

Whether you're researching or taking a deep dive into a new (to you) genre, a book syllabus can aid reading with intention and help you have fun doing it.

33 Poems on Nature That Honor the Beauty and Brutality of the Natural World

A round-up of 33 great poems on nature to help us slow down, see, remember, and honor the beauty and brutality of the natural world.

8 Modern And (Sometimes) Hilarious Baby Memory Books

Whether you want a place to record details or a funny look back at the misadventures of parenting, there's plenty of great modern baby memory books for you.

The 2017 VIDA Count Is In

The 2017 VIDA Count is in. Find out which publications worked for and achieved gender parity and which ones still have work to do.

Daring Literary Ladies Who Lay It All On the Line

Dana has a soft spot for daring literary ladies who lay it all on the line, and she is sharing some books from her recent reading life that fit the bill.

Comics Syllabus: A Comics Newbie’s Quest to Dabble Deeper

Rioter Dana is a comics newbie, but she wants to learn more, read more, and even learn to draw them herself. So what did she do? She made a comics syllabus.