Helen Cordes is a journalist, author, children’s reading advocate, and recreational singer. She was until recently the editor of the national print bimonthly New Moon Girls and was previously senior editor at Utne Reader magazine. She has written for Mother Jones, The Nation, Sierra, Parenting, and other magazines.

Helen has written two books for girls, Girl Power in the Mirror and Girl Power in the Classroom. She co-edited the book Goodlife: Mastering the Art of Everyday Living, and has contributed chapters and excerpts to several books including Sonic Politics: Music and Social Movements in the Americas.

Her writing passion is exploring the many simple transformative steps we all can take to make ourselves, our neighborhoods, and the world better and more joyful. Another passion is growing children’s love of reading; she channels donations from her handmade hat/book gift sets go help fund that cause. Helen also enjoys volunteer singing with older people and singing as a form of activism. She and her husband Eric have two daughters.