Daniel Bernstrom doesn’t read and write like most people. It’s probably because he’s dyslexic, or maybe it’s his ADD. He’s also visually impaired, so sometimes when he’s reading, his brain will even make up random words. But that doesn’t matter. What matters is that he’s had to learn and accept that his brain does things differently (that he sees and experiences words differently) because that’s what makes words beautiful.

Daniel uses the tones, shades, textures, densities, and colors of words to paint singing pictures. It’s all because he reads in a spectrum: from visual to audio. He even knows some Braille—yep, that’s reading with your fingers. To him, words are more than black text printed on white backgrounds; they are both paint and notes, picture and song. This unique way of experiencing words has given Daniel his distinct lyrical style.

Not only does experiencing words this way make him a different kind of writer, but it also makes him a different kind of teacher. He’s a full-time college faculty member, teaching English composition and children’s literature. So… you know he’s a pretty busy guy because we can’t forget to mix into that already hectic life of his a gaggle of kiddos (half a dozen or so). How does he manage to find time to write? Writing is that little bit of joy he gives himself every day (usually every morning at four or five o’clock when the house is gently breathing).

His morning writing habit has led him to publish some twelve books earning a smattering of starred reviews and a couple of Junior Library Guild medals. He’s won the Minnesota Book Award, NCTE Notables Award, and Skipping Stones Award. His books have been on a number of notable lists, including the Bank Street College of Reading Best Books of the Year, Betsy Bird’s Best Books, and the CCBC (Cooperative Children’s Book Center). But what he’s most proud of is that his books have been nominated for several state reading awards, such as those in Minnesota, Iowa, Arizona, and Illinois.

If he could do one thing with his writing, it would be to win the Geisel Award. Why? Well, Daniel repeated first grade because he couldn’t read. He’s (understandably) struggled to read all his life, but books and stories have been his escape, his salvation, his healing balm. He longs to add his name to the Geisel Award list because it would mean that even a struggling reader can one day write a book that will help others love to read.