Dr. Steven L. Layne serves as professor of literacy education at Judson University in Elgin, IL, where he teaches courses in children's literature and directs the university's Master of Education in Literacy program. He is a fifteen-year veteran of public education, serving as a classroom teacher and reading specialist in a wide span of grade levels.
Steve is a literacy consultant, motivational keynote speaker, and author, working with large numbers of educators and children during school visits and at conferences held throughout the world each year. His work has been recognized with awards for outstanding contributions to the fields of educational research, teaching, and writing from organizations such as USA Today, The Milken Family Foundation, The Illinois Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, The National Council of Teachers of English, the Illinois Reading Council, and the International Reading Association.
Author of 19 books including multiple award-winning titles in both the picture book and young adult genres, Steve has finally honored a promise made long ago to put fiction aside for a while and to bring to the printed page the very words thousands have heard him speak about for years. Igniting a Passion for Reading marks his debut in the professional book world.
