Shannon Anderson is an award-winning author of children’s books. She was selected one of the ten instructors that “awed and inspired” the Today program in 2019 after teaching for 25 years, from first grade to college level. She does author visits, offering professional development to teachers, mentoring new authors, and speaking at events. Anderson has served on the board of directors of the Indiana State Literacy Association and as a regional adviser for the Indiana Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

Anderson is the author of Too Shy to Say Hi, a rhyming picture book that can assist in overcoming shyness and social anxiety. Its protagonist Shelli used to be very comfortable in her own small world, believing that her feathered, finned, and furry companions were plenty. Her bird kept her company at home, her fish took refuge in his cave, and her dog was the neighborhood’s social butterfly. Shelli, on the other hand, is keen to make friends with the youngsters at school. Shelli takes daring moves toward stepping out of her shell, and readers will empathize. More information regarding shyness and social anxiety is included in a Note to Parents and Caregivers by Elizabeth McCallum, PhD, and Hiroe Nakata’s artwork is stunning.

Anderson enjoys teaching, writing, presenting, author visits, traveling, and jogging with her large dog early in the morning. Her spouse, a police chief, and two children reside in Indiana.