BOOKS • LITERACY • LEARNING
Where Stories
Inspire Learning
Stories can open doors to confidence, curiosity, kindness, and stronger literacy skills.
Author and educator Mary Clark-Elliott creates engaging children’s books and practical educational resources designed to help young readers learn, grow, think deeply, and see themselves reflected in the stories they read.
From heartwarming classroom adventures to culturally responsive literacy resources, every book is created with a belief in the power of meaningful learning.
About The Author
Mary Clark-Elliott is an experienced educator, reading specialist, curriculum writer, and owner of Elliott tutoring & Publication SC LLC.
With nearly three decades of experience across early childhood, elementary, and adult education, Mary has dedicated her career to helping students develop strong reading and writing skills—particularly learners from historically marginalized communities.
Throughout her career, Mary has served as a classroom teacher, reading interventionist, reading coach, and curriculum specialist. Her work combines culturally relevant literature, evidence-based literacy practices, and accessible teaching strategies that educators can confidently bring into their classrooms.
Through both children’s literature and professional teaching resources, Mary strives to create materials that help students feel seen, help teachers feel supported, and make learning meaningful.
About The Books
Stories can entertain children while also helping them understand confidence,
kindness, friendship, courage, respect, and belonging.
Mary Clark-Elliott’s books combine relatable characters, meaningful lessons, humor, and educational value to create reading experiences that children, parents, and educators can enjoy together.
Book Signing Events
Connect with author and educator Mary Clark-Elliott at book signings, school visits, literacy events, and community gatherings. Discover meaningful children's stories, culturally responsive learning resources, and books created to help young readers grow with confidence.
Teaching resources for early readers
My digital products for the classroom and for homeschool families are sold on Teachers Pay Teachers, the same way my books are sold on Amazon.
Click below to open my store. You'll browse, buy, and download on TPT.
Shop on Teachers Pay TeachersFind me on TPT as
Growing Readers and Writers
- Alphabet and letter sounds
- Phonics lessons
- Decodable readers
- Sight words
- African American literature guide
Pre-K through 2nd grade
About the store
Experience
I am a certified early childhood teacher with twenty-eight years of experience. I have also worked as a mentor teacher, reading interventionist, reading coach, and adult education instructor.
Teaching style
I develop positive relationships with my students by engaging them in their learning. I use minds-on and hands-on lessons that engage the whole child. My goal is to foster a love of reading in my students. My teaching style uses a relevant teaching and a positive mindset.
Awards and shining teacher moments
- National Board Certified, 2002
- Teacher of the year, 2002
Education
- Bachelor's Degree, Early Childhood, 1997
- Master's Degree, Remediation, 2002
- Master's Degree, Education Administration, 2007
More about me
I am a lifelong learner. I am a wife, mother and grandmother. I have authored two children's books.
Teacher Resources
Practical, meaningful, and culturally responsive resources designed to help educators create purposeful literacy experiences for every child.
Using African American Literature to Teach ELA Standards: Preschool–2nd Grade
Meaningful literature meets purposeful literacy instruction.
Teachers need resources that are practical enough for the classroom while still meeting the diverse needs of the children they teach.
Mary’s educational materials are grounded in years of experience as a teacher, reading specialist, interventionist, coach, and curriculum writer.
Her approach brings together culturally relevant literature, evidence-based literacy instruction, standards-aligned learning, and accessible classroom strategies.
Whether you are planning a literacy lesson, strengthening early reading skills, or introducing students to literature that reflects a wider range of experiences, these resources are designed to help make instruction purposeful and engaging.
Kindness & Social-Emotional Learning
The Day Ms. Qualbaum Came to Visit
A Mindful Lesson of Kindness and Respect
Ms. Clark’s kindergarten students are learning the popcorn words “me” and “my,” but their behavior is becoming increasingly rude and disrespectful.
So Ms. Clark introduces them to someone very different—her supposedly mean twin sister, Olivia Qualbaum.
Ms. Qualbaum is bossy, strict, and unkind. Instead of the enjoyable classroom activities the children are used to, they find themselves completing worksheet after worksheet.
Before long, the students desperately want Ms. Clark back.
Through this memorable lesson, they begin to understand how their own behavior affects the people around them and why kindness and respect matter.
This story encourages children to develop self-awareness, positive behavior, empathy, respect, and a growth mindset while supporting conversations around social-emotional learning.
Our Blogs
Ideas, reflections, and practical insights for teachers, parents, and anyone who believes that books can help children become stronger readers, thoughtful learners, and kinder people.
Why Culturally Responsive Literature Matters in Early Education
Children benefit when the books they encounter introduce them to meaningful experiences, diverse voices, and characters they can connect with.
Explore how culturally relevant literature can support literacy development while helping build an inclusive and engaging classroom environment.
Read More →
02
Using Stories to Teach Kindness and Respect
Some of the strongest classroom lessons begin with a story. Discover how children’s literature can open age-appropriate conversations about empathy, behavior, friendship, kindness, and the way our choices affect others.
Read More →
03
Helping Young Readers Build Confidence
Learning to read is about more than recognizing words. Confidence, encouragement, meaningful practice, and positive reading experiences can all influence how children begin to see themselves as learners.
Read More →
04
Making ELA Standards Meaningful for Young Learners
Standards give educators important learning goals, but the texts and experiences surrounding those standards can make instruction memorable. Learn how thoughtfully selected literature can connect literacy standards with authentic reading, writing, discussion, and reflection.
Read More →Our Testimonials
“My child connected with the story right away. We had conversations about kindness, respect, and how our actions affect other people. It became a wonderful reading experience for us at home.”
Parent of a Young Reader“A thoughtful and engaging resource for young readers. The story is easy for children to connect with while opening the door to important conversations about learning, confidence, and character.”
Verified Reader
“Mary’s resources make it easier to bring meaningful, culturally relevant literature into everyday classroom instruction. My students were engaged, curious, and excited to participate.”
Elementary School Teacher