Wendie's Wanderings

Please ask your State Legislators to Support Libraries

2012-01-25T07:24:00.002-05:00

Although the link in this post is to Maryland's call to action, I encourage you to contact your own state legislator.

January 25th - February 1st - Ask State Legislators to Support Libraries

Each year, members of the Maryland library community participate in Maryland Library Legislative Day. This annual event is an opportunity to advocate for libraries in Annapolis. The Senate and House of Delegates declare the day as Maryland Library Day, visits with legislators are conducted and the day culminates with a reception. This is a great opportunity to thank legislators for their past support of libraries, increase awareness about services that libraries provide to their constituents, promote the value of libraries and encourage support for all types of libraries.

Rest in Peace, Carolyn Reeder

2012-01-24T12:30:00.001-05:00

A wonderful historical fiction author has died, Carolyn Reeder. Click on the link to see her books which have won many awards, including the Scott O'Dell award for historical fiction.

Learn as if you were to live forever

2012-01-21T16:45:00.001-05:00

"Live as if you were to die tomorrow; learn as if you were to live forever." Gandhi

And people wonder why I'm back in college, taking graduate courses in writing. Now I have a suitable response.

Watching the ALA Media Awards on Monday

2012-01-19T20:02:00.001-05:00

On Monday, the American Library Association announces the winner of their awards. Various committees have been meeting all year long, by email and in person, choosing the best of various types of books and audio Visual versions of books. (Thus the award ceremony is called the Media Award Ceremony.)

I've actually been in the room when these were announced and I have to tell you that the tension grows tighter and higher as they are announced, leaving the major awards of Caldecott and Newbery for last. One year one of my own books was in contention for one of these awards and I was sitting in the meeting room, on pins and needles until I gave myself a good shake, telling myself that my editor, who was also at the media awards, would have told me if I had won. (another one of her books did win.)

For years, the minute the award ceremony ended, librarians would rush out of the room and fight over the pay phones in the hallway so that they could, 1) order more copies of the winners and 2) tell their staff at their workplace what the winners were.

Nowadays, everyone is cool. There are companies who will instantly order X-many copies of the books for your library system AND the winners are posted on the ALA website an hour after the announcements. Some librarians are either Tweeting the announcements or posting the info on their blogs the minute they happen. So all the librarians attending this event have to do is remain in the room and casually discuss the winners and hash over the ones that should have won. (in their opinion)

Recently, the award ceremony has been streamed over the Internet. Last year, the whole student body (and faculty) of Vermont College of Fine Arts gathered in a meeting room and watched the streaming announcement as it happened. So exciting. Why? Because I WAS SITTING NEXT to ONE of THE WINNERS! Rita Williams-Garcia, one of our faculty members, won the Corretta Scott King award plus also a Newbery Honor, in addition to her National Book award for One Crazy Summer.

If you want to watch it on this coming Monday, here's the info:

For those of you who will not be in Dallas on Monday, you can watch the award press conference here, at least until it crashes due to traffic overload! If and when that happens, you might find the Twitter feed more useful.
All this is supposed to begin at 7:45 a.m. MT, which would be 8:45 for east coasters, 5:45 for west coasters, etc.

I hope your book/ media wins!

Nonfiction Monday -- a Craft of Nonfiction Storytelling Workshop

2012-01-16T11:52:00.001-05:00

Information was sent to me about a great workshop put on by the Highlights Foundation:

The Craft of Nonfiction Storytelling

     "There have been great societies that did not use the wheel, but there have been no societies that did not tell stories." -Ursula K. Le Guin

     It's not enough to have the facts. You have to tell the story. Balancing both is the challenge of any nonfiction manuscript, and it doesn't just happen. Research has to be vetted. Stories have to be compelling and accurate. Together, facts and narrative must capture the hearts and imaginations of young readers. Sometimes, you just can't do it alone. You need a trusted reader. An experienced guide. A helping hand.

     For twenty-seven years, the Highlights Foundation has been fulfilling its mission of improving the quality of children's literature by helping authors and illustrators hone their skills. The Whole Novel Workshop, launched in 2006, expands its offerings this year with a program specifically designed for nonfiction. During our week-long Nonfiction Narrative Workshop, May 20-26, you'll have the chance to learn the craft of nonfiction storytelling with our award-winning faculty, including Carolyn Yoder, Susan Campbell Bartoletti, and Elizabeth Partridge. (I know these people and recommend them highly.)

You'll gather with other dedicated writers, talking the talk, discussing your questions, and learning the subtleties of what makes a good manuscript a great book. You can enjoy all this, along with the quiet tranquility of your own cabin and the kind of farmhouse hospitality that makes you feel right at home.

     During the workshop, your full manuscript will be read and critiqued by one of our faculty, you'll have time to discuss your goals and vision for the story, and you'll leave with a revision plan that will clarify and polish the text. We'll also give you support as you prepare your pitch, query, and synopsis to ensure the manuscript is given full consideration by agents and editors. Get the help you need to tell the facts and the story. Join us for the Whole Nonfiction Narrative Workshop.

     To find out more, contact Jo Lloyd at 570-253-1192, e-mail Jo at jo.lloyd@highlightsfoundation.org, or visit www.highlightsfoundation.org to request an application.

     To view more 2012 Founders Workshops, which take place near Honesdale, Pennsylvania, please visit www.highlightsfoundation.org.

     Please feel free to share this information with others who might have an interest or to include the information in blog posts or through other social networking forums.

The Highlights Foundation is a public, not-for-profit 501©3 organization. We dedicate our efforts to connecting, nurturing, and inspiring children's book writers and illustrators.

For links to other blog posts about children's nonfiction check out the list at The Swimmer Writer blog.

Semester 3 Reveals their name

2012-01-15T20:39:00.002-05:00

For those of you who wondered about the strange design I put on the blog last week, all now can be revealed. Although I was not able to be at Vermont College this week for the January residency, I still want to give a cheer for my classmates because they revealed their class name today.
Here's the YouTube link to the video they used as part of their presentation.

The class name is Dystropians -- a take-off combination of the writer's term "Trope" plus the predictions about Dystopia scheduled to begin in this year of 2012.

We are the DYSTROPIANS: Writers of the Apocalypse!

The other part of the presentation had the whole class up on stage wearing black hoodies, which they took off to reveal awesome black tshirts with the saying, Dystropians -- We Survive! on them. (plus a fantastic writers swiss army knife full of pens and markers and a flash drive instead of knives, etc.)

I wish I had been able to be there. I wish you-all had been there to see it.
-wo

Interviews with Picture Book Editors

2012-01-10T07:17:00.000-05:00

I've discovered an interesting new blog called Picture This written by picture book author, Rob Sanders.

Click here to read the first part of an interview with Picture Book Editor, Maria Modugno. Then click on "newer post" to read the next three parts of this interview.

Click here to read the first part of an interview with Picture Book Editor, Diane Muldrow. Then click on "newer post" to read the next three parts of this interview.

Keep reading Picture This to learn all about writing picture books. Lotsa good information there. His latest post is all about setting goals for 2012. He also has a great list of the best picture books of 2011. Go see.

Nonfiction Monday -- Emperor Penguin

2012-01-09T16:48:00.000-05:00

Brrrrr. It's cold outside.
News Flash -- it's wintertime; it's supposed to be cold outside. (but has been strangely warm lately)
Therefore it's now time to examine books like those in the series: A Day in the Life: Polar Animals.

Emperor Penguin by Katie Marsico. (illustrated with photographs) Chicago, IL: Heinemann Library, 2012. Available now.
Oh, I hadn't known that Capstone bought up Heinemann - Raintree. How about that?

Hmmm, maybe this book would be better to read in the summer. Each page not only has photographs of the snow in Antarctica, but snowflake designs on a pale blue frosty (cold) background.

Suitable for first graders, this book has two sentences per page below the photo illustration. Each sentence has the standard Subject/ verb/ predicate arrangement. The book ends with the longest sentence of the book: "Then young emperor penguins leave their parents to explore the snow world around them!" which will probably inspire young naturalists to want to find out more.

This series doesn't vary the placement of the photographs; it's the same on every page -- Picture above and two sentences below. There are some excellent underwater photographs of a flock of penguins swimming plus a closeup of their major food -- Krill -- which will interest young naturalists.

The last page contains an Index, two books for further reading, and two websites. One is the National Geographic website. Although it doesn't list videos (okay, now they are DVDs), there are also a good many DVDs teachers and parents could borrow from their local library for further exploration of this cold weather bird.

Other books in this series include:
Arctic Fox
Leopard Seal (hmm, they eat penguins)
Narwhal
Polar Bear
Reindeer

For links to more great reviews of nonfiction books, go check out this blog:
Great Kid Books.

Agents talk

2012-01-07T09:11:00.001-05:00

There's a nice blog I like to read, written by someone who only calls herself The Intern. Where does she do her internship? She works for publishers and sometimes for agents. And she tells all (okay, she tells some) on her blog.

Here's a post where she attends a dinner, surrounded by agents -- who talk about the submissions they've seen. This is not a Submission Fail discussion. It turns out that agents talk about "the one that got away," and they compare notes. Click on over and become a fly on the wall at this discussion.

(Now I can't get the tune of "It's a Small, Small World" out of my head.)

New Ambassador for Young People's Literature

2012-01-03T07:32:00.001-05:00

Wonderful news -- Walter Dean Myers is the new National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, replacing the retiring Katherine Paterson.
Read it here in the New York Times.

And there's a longer article here in School Library Journal.

Guess what this is?

2012-01-02T05:00:00.000-05:00

Cybils Finalists Announced

2012-01-01T12:19:00.001-05:00

Read these 2011 Cybils finalists and be inspired to write books like them.

Hoppy New Year! 2012

2012-01-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

2012,
Ready or not
here we come!

December Carnival of Children's Literature

2011-12-31T07:00:00.000-05:00

The December Carnival of Children's Literature is up!

I hope you'll all take a moment to check it out at the Jean Little Library's blog.
That's the blog of --Jennifer Wharton
Youth Services Librarian
Matheson Memorial Library

Research or Plagiarism?

2011-12-30T14:12:00.000-05:00

Is it research or plagiarism?
Nancy Sanders in her book,
Yes! You Can Build a Successful Writing Career, says:
"The general rule of thumb is to use three resources for each fact you state in your manuscript.
A rule to remember is: If you just use one source, it's called plagiarism. If you use three sources, it's called research."
Do check out her blog, called Blogzone. There's a link to it on her website! It's full of good advice -- currently she's doing a series about internet marketing.

Another nonfiction writer reminded me that even three sources can be reporting the same erroneous fact. She advises people to research deeper, as close to primary sources as possible -- and avoid using quotes from sources of questionable reliability, like Wikipedia.

100 Magnificent Books

2011-12-25T10:19:00.000-05:00

Here's your reading assignment for the rest of the year. (It's going to take me part of next year, too.)

The 100 best books of 2011 according to Betsy Bird at her blog, A Fuse #8 Production.

Books, books, books, and Festivus, too

2011-12-24T11:46:00.002-05:00

No need for me to write a post today -- too busy with Christmas cooking. (pies/ cookies/ etc., etc., etc.) What kind of pie? Pumpkin, of course.

So rush on over the MotherReader and catch up on all her holiday ideas.
How to wrap a book.
Recommended book gifts. (yes, you still have time)
The Airing of the Grievances
etc.

Happy what?

2011-12-23T15:40:00.001-05:00

Happy Holidays
Happy Festivas
Merrie Christmas
Happy Hanukkah (spelling optional)
(you don't pronounce the CH, so why write it?)
Happy Solstice
Happy Yule

Happy Whatever beginning-of-winter festival you celebrate.

Oh, and do check out GOOGLE today and enjoy the flashing lights and the song.
-wo

Fun with Science

2011-12-21T14:10:00.001-05:00

Science Writer, Claire Earner wrote:

A bunch of Canadian kids' science writers have a blog called Sci-Why. It currently features a holiday quiz and book give-away. To play, promote, or just have fun, click on the link.

Happy Holidays, everyone!
Claire Eamer
www.claireeamer.com

Thought for the Day -- Definition of a Human Being

2011-12-19T15:43:00.000-05:00

The science fiction author Robert Heinlein once said
"A human being should be able to --
change a diaper,
plan an invasion,
butcher a hog,
conn a ship,
design a building,
write a sonnet,
balance accounts,
build a wall,
set a bone,
comfort the dying,
take orders, give orders,
cooperate, act alone,
solve equations,
analyze a new problem,
pitch manure,
program a computer,
cook a tasty meal,
fight efficiently,
die gallantly.

Specialization is for insects."

How many of these can YOU do?

Christmas tree is up!

2011-12-17T15:40:00.000-05:00

With the help of the 12-year old and her friends, our Christmas tree is up, a week before Christmas. In the traditional place -- in front of the window. It's always the main and usually the only house decoration people can see from the road. It's too difficult to put lights on a 17th century stone building, so we don't bother.

(the tree in this illustration isn't ours. It's a generic one borrowed from the internet.)

On the other hand, we could have put up a tree like this one (below), considering all the books we have in our house:

Activate your Story!

2011-12-12T19:17:00.001-05:00

Agent Jill Corcoran gives wonderful advice on her blog.

Last year one of her posts talked about your book's beginning chapter. She says, "I have been doing a lot of first 10 pages critiques lately, and I find myself writing…START YOUR STORY and ACTIVATE YOUR STORY on almost 100% of the manuscripts. Choosing where to start you story is so very important in grabbing your reader and willing him to keep reading, captivating him so he cannot put your book down."
To read more of this blog entry, click here on Jill Corcoran Books.

To read her latest blog entries, click here.
Don't be dismayed by her advertising the publication of her authors' new books, there's also a lot of great writing advice in between the book notices. (and you might find leads to books you might want to read. I did.)
-wo

Interested in Graphic Novels? This Webinar might be of Interest

2011-12-09T07:30:00.000-05:00

Webinars

Graphic Novels and Tween Readers - Dec. 15 2pm Eastern

Searching for age-appropriate graphic novels for the your tween readers? Don’t miss YALSA’s webinar, Graphic Novels and Tween Readers presented by Robin Brenner.

Brenner will discuss publisher age ratings and how the savvy librarian and library worker can demystify the variety of ratings that exist. She will also touch on where to shelve graphic novels in a library’s collection. Participants will receive a core list of available tween graphic novels as well as some up and coming titles.

Webinars cost $39 for individual YALSA members, $29 for students and $49 for all other individuals. Register here: http://www.ala.org/yalsa/onlinelearning/webinar

See the Newbery/ Caldecott Award Announcements Live!

2011-12-08T09:00:00.000-05:00

Catch the Youth Media Awards

Live from the ALA Midwinter Meeting in Dallas, Texas, it's the 2012 Youth Media Awards! On Monday, January 23 at 7:45 AM CT, the American Library Association gathers together to give out the most prestigeous awards in youth media including the coveted Newbery and Caldecott Medals. You have a front-row seat waiting! ALA will stream the awards live online.

Explore the 2012 Youth Media Awards webcast.

Also, you can follow all of the news and events at Midwinter ALA via the ALSC Blog. The Association of Librarians who Serve Children staff will be live-blogging the conference between January 20 - 24, 2012.

You can visit the ALSC Blog right now by just clicking on that link.

Students Respond to Picture Book Biographies

2011-12-07T09:18:00.001-05:00

At the blog, Words Not Taken, Author and elementary school teacher, Bruce Frost, is using Picture Book Biographies in his 4th grade classroom.So far they have only examined one: Wilma Unlimited, by Kathleen Krull and illustrated by David Diaz, but do check back to see what they think of others.

(Dare I hope that he'll use my Wright Brothers' book? Other classes have.)

The last Packet of Writing (for this year)

2011-12-06T18:03:00.000-05:00

Packet 5 is SENT!
My second semester at Vermont College of Fine Arts Writing for Children and Young Adults is done.
Done, done, done.
(except for the end of semester reports, but that's no problem.)

This has been a wonderful, eye-opening experience, this learning to write fiction. It's so very different from writing nonfiction. Writing wonderfully descriptive passages? No problem. Nonfiction writers are good at that.

On the other hand, creating a personality who is pursuing a goal and staying inside that person's head, feeling/ showing his reactions to events, etc. That's hard. (I tend to pull out into omnipotent view too often.)
Being too nice to your hero -- easy.
Putting your hero up a tree and throwing apples at him -- hard.

I could go on, but it's been an exhausting two semesters and I'm going to take a small break, now.

What did you learn you could or couldn't do when you began writing fiction?
-wo

Katherine Paterson to Speak Today

2011-12-01T14:09:00.001-05:00

I have no idea how these phone in things work -- but you could try it:

Authors Guild announces two-week preview of its Booktalk Nation initiative to support traditional booksellers

Children’s book author Katherine Paterson, selected by the Library of Congress as the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, will answer questions from writer Tanya Lee Stone at 7 p.m. tonight in a live, national, phone-in event hosted by the Flying Pig Bookstore in Shelburne, Vermont. Readers can sign up for the call at booktalknation.com.

A two-time winner of the prestigious Newbery Medal and the National Book Award, Paterson is the author of more than 30 books, which include contemporary and historical fiction, in settings that range from realistic to fantastical. She is best known for Bridge to Terabithia.

Paterson’s latest title, The Flint Heart, is a retelling of the 1910 fairy tale of the same name by Eden Phillpotts. Paterson’s husband, John, first tried to get publishers to bring the original back into print. But Phillpotts’s style was deemed too long-winded for modern audience, so husband and wife collaborated on a new version, picking up the pace but preserving Phillpotts’s plot, characters and tone.

“It still has that sort of old-fashioned voice,” said Paterson “It’s a charming voice; it’s a storyteller’s voice.”

In the book, a Stone Age man demands a talisman that will harden his heart so he can rule his tribe. The tribe’s magic man creates the Flint Heart, which leads to the destruction of the tribe. Thousands of years later, the Flint Heart reemerges, threatening to cause trouble all over again.

Readers from across the country can order personally-inscribed books including Paterson’s The Flint Heart, Bridge to Terabithia, Brother Sun, Sister Moon, and The Great Gilly Hopkins through booktalknation.com. The Flying Pig Bookstore will fulfill the orders after Paterson inscribes the books next week.

Booktalk Nation is a new series of phone-in author interviews sponsored by the Authors Guild, which seeks to support traditional, physical booksellers and highlight the key role they play in promoting a vibrant literary culture. Each talk in the series will be hosted by a local bookstore with ties to the featured author. The Guild is previewing the service over the next two weeks and will formally launch it in January. A few additional events for the two-week preview will be announced on Monday, along with more details on the program.

“I just hope everybody will support their independent bookstores,” said Paterson, who lives in Vermont. She said she was eager to participate because she’s seen first-hand how knowledgeable, committed booksellers help readers find just the right book.

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Feel free to forward, post, or tweet. Here is a short URL for linking: http://tiny.cc/j8ng1

November's Carnival of Children's Literature

2011-11-28T09:27:00.001-05:00

Every month one of the Children's Lit bloggers hosts a roundup of the best blog offerings for the month and calls it the Carnival of Children's Literature.

Today the Carnival of Children's Literature is at Wrapped in Foil.
Click on over and enjoy.

Handling Social Media when you have Too Much To Do

2011-11-24T11:38:00.001-05:00

Here's an interesting article about writers using Social Media for the best effect,
It's a post by Darcy Pattison called, "Emily Dickinson Would Have Tweeted!"

Networking and keeping up with friends takes time. People, especially writers, have done this for ages -- only the media we use has changed. Many 18th Century writers scheduled time to write letters, a half a day or more. It just takes time. You have to find the balance between the need for marketing and networking and the passion for creating.

One way to keep up is to use places that gather links, like TheDailyBrainstorm.com or Alltop.com which lists blogs.

Thanks to Darcy Pattison for all these ideas. And check out the writing resources she has collected by clicking on the links to the right of her Emily Dickinson article.

Now
Back to preparing that turkey and trimmings.
Happy Thanksgiving.

RIP Anne McCaffrey

2011-11-22T22:38:00.001-05:00

Here's a note about one of my favorite authors, from her son, Todd:

Todd McCaffrey

At about 5 p.m. Monday November 21st, 2011, Anne McCaffrey passed away.

Mum was getting ready to go back to the hospital because she was feeling "puny" and collapsed while she was moving into her wheelchair. Her daughter, Georgeanne Kennedy, and son-in-law, Geoffrey Kennedy were with her. She was in no pain and it was over in an instant.

She first had a heart attack in late 2000 and a stroke in 2001, so we were well-prepared and knew that we were on "golden time" with Mum these past ten years and more. She leaves behind an incredible legacy of marvelous books and a huge legion of fans. She won practically every major award in available to authors of science fiction and fantasy, including both Hugo and Nebula Awards, the American Library Association's Margaret A. Edwards award for Lifetime Literary achievement in Young Adult fiction, was an inductee into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame, and was a SFWA Nebula Grandmaster.

She was also a great cook, magnificent mother, doting grandmother, ardent quilter, knitter, bridge player, horsewoman, fencer, actress, singer, and all-around nice person.

We are blessed to have known her, just as we are blessed with the knowledge that she has touched so many lives and made such huge changes in them. Mum always said, "Don't just pay back a favor -- pass it on!"

In light of that spirit, we ask that, instead of condolences or flowers, that commemorators make a donation to their favorite charity.

We know that we haven't lost Mum -- that she has truly passed on her legacy of love and honor to all those who were touched by her -- and that we have only to open one of her books to find her again. Rest well, Mum, you've earned it!

Fun Ways to give Books for the Holidays

2011-11-22T05:42:00.001-05:00

Pam Coughlan, over at Mother Reader, has collected not 100, but 150 ways to give a book as a gift this holiday season. Click on over and check out all her great ideas. She has combined MotherReader- approved titles with toys, trinkets, ideas, and various little extras to make gift-giving fun.

Also more suggestions by Susan Stephenson can be found at the Book Chook.
Enjoy. -wo

Nonfiction Monday

2011-11-21T05:57:00.000-05:00

Nonfiction Monday can be found at Books Together blog today.

Nonfiction Monday

2011-11-14T22:15:00.001-05:00

Nonfiction Monday is at Playing by the Book blog today.
Click on over and enjoy while I figure out what I want to write in the essay for Packet 5.

Counting the days until the National Book Awards

2011-11-11T05:18:00.001-05:00

I'm getting more and more excited about the happenings next week.

Hey everybody. set your browser for the homepage of the National Book Award on Wednesday evening to listen to/ watch the webcast of the event!

It's at 8 pm Eastern Standard Time, but I'd suggest that you get online at least 15 minutes before that.

Actor/ author/ musician John Lithgow will host the event.

(I LOVE John Lithgow. I've used his picture books and CDs in storytime. What fun!)

And several writer friends of mine are finalists for the Young People's Literature Award:

Franny Billingsley ("Chime")
Debby Dahl Edwardson ("My Name Is Not Easy"),
Thanhha Lai ("Inside Out and Back Again"),
Albert Marrin ("Flesh and Blood So Cheap: The Triangle Fire and Its Legacy"),
Gary D. Schmidt ("Okay for Now")

Ummm, one of them looks like a nonfiction book. Great! Is this the first time a nonfiction book has been up for this award?

Have you read any of these books, yet?

Most of them are also probably being discussed for the Newbery Award. (to be announced in January)

-wo

What kind of Hershey's Chocolate are you?

2011-11-05T09:59:00.000-04:00

I'm a cross between a Mr. Goodbar and Hershey's Special Dark.

Check out the Hershey's Miniature's Personality Indicator to see what kind of chocolate YOU are.
(thanks to David Elzey at Fomagrams for the link.)

Why Picture Books are Important

2011-11-03T08:46:00.001-04:00

Why Picture Books Are Important,

And Why They Are for Everyone

(A guest post by picture book author and all around great guy, Rick Walton )

Picture books are often seen as literary baby food, the stuff we feed children until they have the teeth to eat real food.

I would argue, however, that picture books are not baby food. They are not just for young children.

In fact, I would argue that picture books are perhaps the most important literary format that we have.

Here are 10 reasons why I believe this:

1. They are the first books that children fall in love with, that turn children into lifetime readers. Lifetime readers become lifetime learners. Lifetime learners become lifetime contributors.

2. Picture book language is often more sophisticated than the first chapter books that children read, and therefore an excellent way for children to learn language. It is here that children, and others, can learn vocabulary, imagery, rhythm, shape, structure, conciseness, emotional power.

3. The picture book is the most flexible of all literary formats. You can do almost anything in a picture book. This flexibility encourages creativity, in both writer and reader. It broadens the mind, and the imagination. And given today's challenges, we desperately need more creativity, broadened minds. Imagination.

4. The picture book, with its interaction between text and illustration , with its appeal that the reader analyze that interaction, helps develop visual intelligence. It helps us look for meaning in the visual. And since most of us are surrounded by, and inundated by visual images our whole lives, visual intelligence is an important skill.

5. Some of the best art being created today is found in picture books. Picture books are a great resource for art education.

6. The picture book appeals to more learning styles than any other format. It is read out loud for audible learners. It is written and illustrated for visual learners. It often asks you to interact with it physically for kinesthetic learners.

7. In fact, the picture book, of all formats, is probably the best format for teaching an idea, getting across a point. Because picture books are short, all messages, knowledge, ideas expressed in a picture book must be boiled down to their essence. They must be presented in a way that is impossible to misunderstand. If you want to learn a difficult subject, start with a picture book. If you want to express a powerful message, a picture book is one of the most powerful media for doing so. Many middle, upper grade, and even college instructors have recognized the value of using picture books in their teaching.

8. The picture book does more than any other literary format for bonding people one with another. As a child sits on a lap and is read to, as a parent, a grand parent, a teacher, a librarian reads to a child, extremely important connections are made, bonds are formed, generations are brought together.

9. The picture book also has the broadest possible age range of audience. Few four-year-olds will appreciate a novel. But many grandparents enjoy a good picture book. I have read picture books for upwards of an hour to groups including toddlers, teens, parents and grandparents, where all were engaged.

10. The picture book is short, and can fit easily into the nooks and crannies of our lives. Five minutes here, 10 minutes there, plenty of time for a complete literary experience.

Picture books are poetry, adventure, imagination, language, interaction, precision, and so much more.

Picture books are not books that children should be encouraged to "graduate" from.

For picture books have something important to say, to give, to all ages, all generations.

Picture books are not just books for young children.

They are books for everybody.

November is National Picture Book Month

2011-11-02T07:08:00.001-04:00

Here's a press release I just received, and as a picture book writer, I highly endorse:

*Authors and Illustrators Team to Create Picture Book Month*

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

"I have always believed that literature begins in the cradle -- the poems we say to the babies, the stories we tell them -- prepare them to become part of the great human storytelling community. We humans are the only creatures in the known universe who make and remake our world with story."
--Jane Yolen from her Picture Book Month essay

The New York Times declared, "Picture Books No Longer A Staple for Children" in an article published in October 2010. The controversial article incited a barrage of responses from the children‚s book industry, many in defense of the venerable picture book. In addition, the digital age has ushered in an unprecedented amount of ebooks and, with devices like the
iPad, the color Nook, and the Kindle Fire, picture books are being converted to the digital format.

Thus, Picture Book Month was born. Founder Dianne de Las Casas decided it was time to celebrate picture books in their printed format so she created an initiative to designate November as "Picture Book Month."

Katie Davis, Elizabeth Dulemba, Tara Lazar, and Wendy Martin came on board to champion the cause and spread the word. A logo was designed by Joyce Wan. A website was created to feature essays from "Picture Book Champions," thought leaders in the children's literature
community. Each day in November, a new essay will be posted from such notable contributors as Suzanne Bloom, Peter Brown, Jarrett Krosoczka, Leslie Helakoski, Eric A. Kimmel, Tammi Sauer, Dan Yaccarino, and Jane Yolen.

Better World Books and organizations like Scholastic Book Fairs Philippines are lending their support. The website will also feature links to picture book resources, authors, illustrators, and kidlit book bloggers. In addition, parents, educators, and librarians can download the theme calendar to help them plan their picture book celebrations and access
picture book activities.

Join the celebration! Visit www.picturebookmonth.com.
The website officially opens on November 1, 2011.

"Picture books are important because they are with us for life. They are the most important books we'll ever read because they're our first. No matter how many books we've read since, they will always have a place in our hearts."
--Dan Yaccarino from his Picture Book Month Essay.

*Read ***** Share *** **Celebrate!*

November is Picture Book Month!
Join the picture book party. Read * Share * Celebrate!

numbers !

2011-11-01T23:20:00.004-04:00

Today is

11 / 1/ 11

National Book Awards Teen Press Conference Live!

2011-11-01T16:12:00.000-04:00

If you'd like to see the National Book Awards Teen Press Conference Live!
on Tuesday, November 15th at 12:30 pm, streaming live from Scholastic in New York City, click on the link for more information and to register.
All five of the Young People's Award finalists will be reading from their books and fielding questions.

(This is 9:30 am Pacific time and 8:30 am Alaska time)

Why do I mention the time in Alaska? Because it was Debby Dahl Edwardson, the author of My Name is not Easy (one of the finalist books) who sent me this tidbit and she lives in Alaska.
(Oh, that last link it to the book trailer for her book.)
enjoy!

-wo

Someone likes Halloween

2011-10-27T13:41:00.000-04:00

I'm always excited when Google sends me a notice about my books. Today areadinglife.com, the blog for the Everett Public Library, in Washington State, reviewed their favorite Halloween books -- and mine is right up there, jokes and all! Hurrah! Go read their blog to see the other wonderful Halloween books they chose to feature. -wo

Writer's Block?

2011-10-26T09:17:00.003-04:00

What if you sat down to write and discovered you had nothing to say? Big-Time Writer's Block.

Tim Wynne-Jones contemplates Writer's Block at the Vermont College of Fine Arts Writing for Children and Young Adults's blog, Write At Your Own Risk.
Click on over and enjoy, while I go back to working on my own work-in-progress.
-wo

Five years

2011-10-23T21:42:00.003-04:00

Five years ago today, my husband smoked his last cigarette.
(we celebrate the small victories.)
-wo

The end of the world?

2011-10-21T10:25:00.000-04:00

Today is supposed to be the end of the world?
I don't think so.
Sorry,
I don't have time for that.

Pumpkin Patch

2011-10-18T21:04:00.001-04:00

There's nothing cuter than a kid in a pumpkin patch, especially if it's your grandson.

Interview with a National Book Award finalist

2011-10-15T18:13:00.000-04:00

Great interview with one of the National Book Award finalists in the Young People's Category. (I refuse to call it the Children's Book category because they so seldom nominate any books for children of elementary school age for this award. -- They mainly nominate Young Adult and Middle School books.)

Debby Dahl Edwardson's new book nominated for the prize is My Name is Not Easy.
She was interviewed by Uma Krishnaswami on her blog, Writing with a Broken Tusk.

DEBBY DAHL EDWARDSON lives in Barrow, Alaska. Her first book, Blessing’s Bead, was a Booklist Top 10 First Novel for Youth, and a YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults selection. For more information please visit Debby’s website.

Here is a list of all the finalists.
The winner of the award will be announced on November 16th at a huge Gala event with all the finalists invited.

Franny Billingsley ("Chime")
Debby Dahl Edwardson ("My Name Is Not Easy"),
Thanhha Lai ("Inside Out and Back Again"),
Albert Marrin ("Flesh and Blood So Cheap: The Triangle Fire and Its Legacy"),
Lauren Myracle ("Shine")
Gary D. Schmidt ("Okay for Now")

Guess who came to dinner?

2011-10-11T23:22:00.000-04:00

Guess what showed up in our dining room, yesterday?

An Eastern Hognose Snake!
It's now living down the hill in the rock pile. Me? I would have taken it several miles away to Gunpowder State park, but my hubby says he likes wildlife around.

Nonfiction Monday -- The Halloween Book of Facts and Fun

2011-10-10T08:36:00.000-04:00

Despite the weather not feeling like autumn yet, (we're in the midst of Indian Summer and will reach the 80s here in Maryland today), thousands of people took advantage of the great weekend to get to their local pumpkin place (Weber's Farm) to walk the hay or corn maze, make scarecrows and buy pumpkins, apple cider, and fall decorations.

Hundreds of thousands attended Renaissance Festivals, watched shows, rode the elephant, cheered for England or Scotland at the Joust, ate food on a stick, paid to have experts put henna designs on their hands and arms (the 11-year-old wanted a dragon, again), and bought beautiful Halloween costumes. (People were still lined up for miles to get in as we left the place at 3:30 pm on Saturday.)

Although some were there just for the food and the fun, many were planning ahead to October 31 -- Halloween.

If you've been to your local library or bookstore, you'll notice displays of Halloween books set out for you to pick up. One of those books is The Halloween Book of Facts and Fun by Wendie Old (me), illustrated by Paige Billin=Frye. Park Ridge: Illinois: Albert Whitman & Company, 2007. (available in paperback as well as hardback, and soon to be an e-book!)

Here you'll find a history of the holiday, fun facts, some halloween stories, and plans for a children's Halloween party. I LOVE the cat on the cover, don't you? Especially the way his tail curves around the moon. (later I might tell you the story behind this wonderful cover.) And the illustrations inside are not scary at all -- not even the one where Frankenstein and Dracula are sitting side by side near a cozy fire, reading each other's book. (Fun Fact -- did you know that there actually is a Count Dracula? And that he runs the Red Cross blood bank in his country?)

Have fun this month. Go to your local pumpkin patch, take a hay ride. Attend the Renaissance Festival closest to you. Enjoy these lovely autumn days.

The Nonfiction Monday list of links is located at Practically Paradise today. -wo

TGIF

2011-10-07T09:23:00.000-04:00

Friday, already?
I've been too busy writing this week to even notice that the rain has stopped and the sun has been shining for the past two days. But Packet 3 has now been sent to my advisor and I have a day or two to lift up my head, look around and notice the house cleaning and fall clothing shopping that needs to be done. (For the 11-year-old who has outgrown a lot of last year's clothes, not for me.)

I've never done Free writing before, so this semester has been full of new experiences for me. I've heard that interesting things about your character will come out in Free writing and you know what? It's true. While I'm waiting for my Advisor's response to Packet 3, I think I might indulge in some more free writing about one or two of the minor characters. I'd like to add more humor to this book and maybe this other character can do this. He certainly puts stress on the main character and maybe these stress points could also be funny. We. Shall. See. -wo

Nonfiction can be Funny

2011-10-03T19:00:00.000-04:00

Today is Nonfiction Monday and lucky for you, Laurie Thompson has collected a nice list of humorous nonfiction books for your enjoyment on her blog:

* Just the Right Size, Extreme Animals (and others) by Nicola Davies
* How to Get Organized Without Losing It by Janet S. Fox
* How To Do Homework Without Throwing Up by Trevor Romain
* Manners Mash-Up: A Goofy Guide to Good Behavior by Tedd Arnold and others
* What To Do About Alice by Barbara Kerley
* The Basher books (Physics, Periodic Table, Math, etc.) by Simon Basher
* Kathleen Krull's Lives of the... series
* You Wouldn't Have Wanted To Be A... series
* Magic School Bus (faction)
* Fingers, FOrks, & Chopsticks by Patricia Lauber
* Poop Happened by Sarah Albee
* Americapedia by Jodi Lynn Anderson, Daniel Ehrenhaft, Andisheh Nouraee
* How They Croaked by Georgia Bragg
* Bugs and Bugsicles: Insects in the Winter by Amy Hansen
* What to Expect When You're Expecting... series by Bridget Heos
* It's Spit-acular: The Secrets of Saliva by Melissa Stewart
* The Truth About Poop by Susan E. Goodman
* Gee Whiz by Susan E. Goodman
* See How They Run by Susan E. Goodman
* Fartiste by Kathleen Krull
* Do Pigs Have Stripes? by Melanie Walsh
* What's So Funny? Making Sense of Humor by Donna M. Jackson

Have fun reading! :)
- Laurie

Laurie Thompson, Children's Book Author
Co-Regional Advisor, SCBWI Western WA
Her blog is here

And the Nonfiction Monday gathering of links is at 100 Scope Notes.

Books Boys Love to Read

2011-09-30T07:56:00.001-04:00

If you are looking for some Middle Grade (upper Elementary and lower Middle School) books for boys, Michelle Skamene suggests you simply click on over to the Reading Rewards Blog part 1 and Reading Rewards Blog part 2.
For even more suggestions, there's a whole blog dedicated to boys reading over at Guys Read.

Added later:
The blog for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg library system called Boys Rule Boys Read focuses on boys. As does another blog -- Boys Rock Boys Read. That blog has a column of Most Popular Posts and the first one is Books Every Guy Should Read.
Have fun. -wo

Carnival of Children's Literature

2011-09-29T20:55:00.001-04:00

Once a month a selection of the best blog posts in the Kidlithosphere (people who blog about Children's Books -- either writing or reviewing them) is collected in one person's blog. This month's Carnival of Children's Literature is located at the blog, Texas Librarian.
Click on over and enjoy. -wo

Nonfiction Monday

2011-09-26T08:06:00.001-04:00

I'm busy right now working on a new form of Critical Essay for my writing class, so there won't be a new Nonfiction Monday review here today. However there are lots of interesting ones out there in the blogosphere. Check out the links at True Tales & a Cherry on Top.

Blog -- Smack Dab in the Middle

2011-09-23T19:58:00.000-04:00

Ha!
Found a new blog by some Middle Grade children's book writers called, Smack Dab in the Middle. Contributors to this blog include:

Interesting, I think when I copied their names, the link to their websites came up. I see several of the 11-year-old's favorite authors here. Check them out.

(added later)
Here's how they describe their blog and website:

ABOUT SMACK DAB

The publishing world has seen its share of changes recently (the closing of Borders, etc.), and in September, we'll be blogging about those changes, about where we think the industry is headed, and about how those recent changes are / aren't altering any of our writing or publicity strategies...Unless, of course, inspiration strikes, and we head off on a separate tangent...Which, let's face it, could very well happen. We're writers, after all...You can find a sampling of our work under "Smack Dab Books." For a full line-up of each author's books, check out our websites (below).

We also blog about publishing news, offer guest posts and interviews, and invite you to ask us questions about the writing process.

-wo

Reading, Researching, Writing

2011-09-21T23:31:00.000-04:00

Such is the life I lead now:

Reading, reading, reading.
Found the book I need for a critical essay.
Began essay.
Checked reviews of the book only to discover it's the sequel of another book. Darn. Can't use it because I need a stand-alone book.
Back to the library. Checked out four more.
Reading, reading, reading.

Nonfiction Monday -- My Plate and You

2011-09-19T20:28:00.000-04:00

I haven't had any boxes of books from publishers in so long, but today what should appear on my back porch -- but books from Capstone Press! An abundance of riches! Which should I read first? The pattern book from the math series? Volcano Explorers from their Landform Adventures series? Or the new nutrition book.

That's the one. (I can't turn down things about food.)
Take a look at My Plate and You by Gillia M. Olson, part of the Health and Your Body series. (illustrated by photographs) Available now.

Unless are living under a rock, OR you don't have children, you probably have heard that the food pyramid ( a representation of what you should eat and how much) has been replaced by MY PLATE. What the heck is MY PLATE? Well, right there on the first double page spread is a child on a computer looking at the website ChooseMyPlate.gov. If kids and adults go to that website, all will become clear.

The plate is divided into separate portions of fruits, grains, vegetables, and protein, with a separate circle indicating dairy right where you would place your glass or cup. No sign of fats on this plate. Vegetables and grains are about the same size and both are larger than fruits or protein. (they don't call it meat, anymore)

With two or three easy reading sentences on each page, on separate double-page spreads, the book then looks further into each portion, talking about why a person should eat this stuff.

Ah, then the book has a spread about fats and sugars -- showing no fat, but a boy drinking a sugared drink sorta like Kool-Aid, or Bug Juice as we called it at summer camp. Shouldn't they exercise? Didn't the previous food pyramid have exercize as part of a daily routine? Yes, and this book folds that into the discussion, too.

Fun Facts! Do you know that popcorn is considered a grain? (well, we do but I bet lots of kids don't.) The average person drinks about 23 gallons of milk each year. (not me. I can't drink milk.)

Glossary, Read More (three books listed, one of them from Capstone), Internet sites directed by the ever present Capstone Fact Hound, plus an index.

More Nonfiction Monday posts can be found at Tales from the Rushmore Kid. Have fun looking at these blog links and please leave comments. Sometimes comments are the only way a blogger knows that anyone is reading their blog. -wo

Will e-books replace print books?

2011-09-17T04:13:00.000-04:00

If you have been on one side or the other of the PRINT IS DEAD argument, you'll find this article by Seanan McGuire to be food for thought. Click on over to Across the Digital Divide and look at the discussion from the viewpoint of about 20% of Americans -- and a heck of a lot more people in other countries.

Can Celebrities write Good Children's Books?

2011-09-14T06:02:00.004-04:00

Here's a great discussion in Atlantic Magazine by excellent children's book writers about celebrities who try to write for children.
Some celebrities work hard at their writing skills and succeed.
Some fail.

Walking to school

2011-09-13T11:59:00.002-04:00

My husband likes to tease the grandchildren by bragging he had to walk miles to school, uphill both ways, but these children are actually doing it!

On the other hand, something to cheer you up

2011-09-11T15:16:00.003-04:00

I hated church today. I hate crying in public and every mention of 9-11 does that. So, it was a relief to see Cake Wreck's offering for today -- cakes to help you to Be of Good Cheer.
Enjoy. And if you actually have seen one of these cakes in person, I'm jealous.

Memories of 9-11

2011-09-10T20:50:00.000-04:00

Lisa Yee asked on Facebook, "Where were you on 9-11?"
(people don't even have to mention the year -- but just in case you've been living in a cave, it was 9-11-01)
(and if you like numbers -- today is 9 - 10 - 11. I Love it.)

This was my reply:
I was at home getting ready for work.
Since I wasn't due in for a couple of hours, I watched the TODAY show. A few minutes before they were to sign off for the east coast watchers, Mat Lauer double tapped his earpiece, as if he thought something was wrong with it. Then he announced that something was happening.
An accident.

Flash to the first tower just after it was hit. They held the show over the 9:00 hour, just talking about it wondering how such a thing could happen -- and they actually filmed the second plane hitting the second tower.
OMG!

(this is now available on YouTube) In fact, several similar videos are available there.

I immediately called my workplace and told them they needed to pull out the TV, put it in the public area and Watch, as this event was played over and over.
Then we heard about the plane crashing into the Pentagon, then the news of a plane down in PA.

For the rest of the day, for the rest of the week, for the rest of the year, we waited for the other shoe to drop.
What would happen next?
I don' know about you, but I became a news-addict.
Where were you?

Packet 2 -- Sent

2011-09-09T14:10:00.000-04:00

Busy, busy, busy the last few weeks writing and revising things for Packet 2.
I just sent it to my advisor.
I plan to take the weekend off. Relax. ...
Who am I kidding?

I have 2 meetings tomorrow and now have time to raise my head from my computer long enough to do a little housecleaning, family activities, and shopping. Oh yes, shopping. Fall doth approach and the 11-year-old won't stop growing. She probably needs all new fall and winter clothing, because her shape has also gotten more "shapely" if you know what I mean.
-wo

Gingerbread Cowboy news

2011-09-07T08:47:00.002-04:00

Other Book News:

The Gingerbread Cowboy Anniversary Blog Blow Out begins today with the debut of the new Gingerbread Cowboy Book Trailer created by the incomparable Tina Nichols Coury and debuted at Tales of the Rushmore Kid .

She says:

To celebrate The Gingerbread Cowboy's Fifth Anniversary, I have something special for readers:

I will select one name at random from people who comment on any blog tour post to receive a $50 dollar gift certificate to OutWest Marketing, an online store for shoppers who are wild about the west. The Gift certificate will be good for 60 days and include a 10% discount and free shipping so be sure to leave your email contact information at the blog, Tales of the Rushmore Kid.

Invasion of art in Scotland

2011-09-06T08:29:00.001-04:00

You gotta see this -- especially if you love books and libraries!

Strange happenings in libraries in Scotland.

cakes for crafters

2011-09-05T21:50:00.001-04:00

For all you crafty people out there -- enjoy.

News of the day. No, it's not more hurricane news

2011-08-30T10:58:00.004-04:00

My husband came roaring upstairs, "Check your email Check your email!"

At first, I thought it was news that the schools had been cancelled for another day. The 11-year-old didn't begin Middle School on Monday -- closed because of hurricane damage. (to other schools, not to hers) All schools closed today (Tuesday) as well. Was it a notice that schools were closed Wednesday, too?

It's our wonderful grandchild.

He has taken off!

He ... is ... now ... crawling!

Yea!

I do hope my daughter and her husband buys those gates to block the stairs in their house very soon.

Nonfiction Monday

2011-08-29T20:14:00.002-04:00

Nonfiction Monday is at Capstone Connect today.

Click on over to see the goodies collected there.

Hurricane Irene -- Early Sunday Morning Report

2011-08-28T07:07:00.007-04:00

We went to sleep Friday night with roaring winds and sheets of rain pounding on the north side of the house. We very rarely get north winds in the summertime, but because of the counter-clockwise flow of a hurricane, and it's location to our East, all of Hurricane Irene hit the north side of the house. We have only two trees directly north of the house and they were whipping around. Since they are young trees, we don't expect them to fall. This morning the last bands of rain are west of us, we are under light rain, however the winds are still blowing and will blow all day until Irene gets over land, in New England.

Trees usually fall after hurricanes, because the huge dump of rain makes the ground too soft to hold them anymore, so we'll be watching for a day or so to see what happens, My husband just came in and reported we have tons of branches down. Hmm, I know what we'll be doing this afternoon -- dragging tree limbs to the branch pile.

So far we still have electricity. Disappointing, considering all the preparations I had made for existing without electricity for a couple of days. (I'm kidding. I'm kidding.) However, since more trees could still fall on electric lines because of the wind today, I"m not thinking we're scott free, yet. A couple of million of people are out of electricity so far on the East Coast, mostly south of us.

There was no storm surge up the Chesapeake Bay, thank goodness. No flooding from that, but stream banks are flooding over as they try to handle the runoff. I hear that Long Island is expecting a storm surge later today, however.

Preparing for hurricane Irene

2011-08-26T20:14:00.005-04:00

We spent the day preparing for Hurricane Irene to hit Maryland's Eastern Shore.

(We live on the Western shore of the Chesapeake Bay and are predicted to only get 'Tropical winds' and rain.)

My husband repaired our leaking sunporch roof today. We are crossing fingers and toes that the repair holds under the Tropical force winds and rainstorm. I spent the day getting prepared for electrical outages -- bought more batteries, cold food, etc.

We also cleared the debris away from the storm drains in the street so that they can handle the predicted 4 to 8 inches of rain.

Children around here are hoping Irene will delay school opening on Monday, but that's not likely.

Now we wait for Irene to hit town.

Blog -- Pencil Tips Writing Workshop

2011-08-25T20:26:00.002-04:00

Here's a blog for writers, written by writers. People who have been there, done that, and feel your pain. People who might have come up with answers for some of your writing problems.

Check out the Pencil Tips Writing Workshop's posts.

Nonfiction Monday

2011-08-22T23:30:00.007-04:00

Today's Nonfiction Monday is being hosted by Ana María Rodríguez at Ana's Nonfiction Blog.

Hey, great name!

Click away and enjoy.

Meanwhile, I'm also going to include some other Nonfiction -- namely, our beautiful grandson. One picture of the grandson with me and another of him with my husband and the ever wonderful Lancelot. (their dog)

-wo

We're back -- from California

2011-08-21T07:45:00.004-04:00

We spent the last week at San Diego, California visiting my two daughters. We stayed with my oldest daughter, her husband and new baby son. He's our first grandson. Since I'm from a family of mostly girls and have raised three girls, I'm not sure about boy babies. All I can say is that he's physically more active than I remember my girls being.

While we were there, he managed to get up on his knees. He still travels pushing himself backwards and is frustrated because he was aiming for something ahead of him, but by the end of the week he learned to throw himself forward -- or to roll somewhat toward where he wanted to go. He’s going to be crawling soon and his parents will be in Trooooble.

We also enjoyed using their condominium pool (and hot tub).

On Sunday, we sailed on The Stars and Stripes, a large sailboat that competed in the America's Cup races. My daughter's husband is the captain. Tacking home back up the bay was a wee bit scary with one side or the other of the boat leaning over, not quite capsizing. (They kept saying it was impossible for boats like these to turn over.) My daughter had brought the six-month baby. On one tack, her diaper bag swept my feet out from under me and I was hanging on by one hand. I kept thinking, when they change their tack, I’ll be all right. About halfway through the tack, one of the crew noticed and got me upright again. Later the 11-year-old said she saw me, but just laughed because it was so funny. Hmmmm.

Monday, we had dinner with my younger daughter and her new husband in their new house – which is an old, 1930s hunting lodge built with lots of redwood. Although the 11-year old had brought her swimsuit, it was too chilly that evening to swim in their pool. The evening ended with the 11-year-old and her mother playing ping-pong, coached by her husband who is a professional ping-pong player. Lots of laughter and wild balls.

Tuesday -- to the Wild Animal park/ Safari Park, which is part of the San Diego Zoo, but further out into the back country. That evening, we all (including the baby) went out to a Mexican restaurant, where my daughter's husband did a lot of the ordering in Spanish.

Wednesday, my husband began a huge technical updating of all of their computer equipment, helping them convert from PCs to MACs and install Apple TV etc. It took him until Friday to complete the job. Wednesday evening -- grilled steaks and a little bit of pool time.

Thursday, my daughter's husband took off to San Francisco (a place I would have flown to, but he drove to with other crew members and the boat owner) for the boat’s yearly examination by the Coast Guard. That evening was HARRY POTTER night! I finally have seen the last installment -- not in 3-D, thank heavens. The 11-year-old insisted that we needed a large tub of popcorn, which all of us shared and weren’t able to finish. Cold Stone Creamery (ice cream) afterwards. Yum!

Friday, we went to Del Mar beach and waded in the Pacific Ocean. Although I had gathered my long skirt into a knot above my knees, several waves caught us unawares (were stronger and came higher onto the beach than expected) soaking the hem of my skirt. I now have a salt-encrusted skirt. Found a beach store with a sale, so the 11-year-old got several shirts and a long sleeved lightweight sweatshirt. Which she immediately wore to dinner at a popular hamburger place.

Saturday, we flew home and found our home a little bit stuffy because of all the closed windows, the sunporch buckets full of water from the multiple storms that had rolled through, but otherwise everything was fine.

Blog -- On Beyond Words & Pictures

2011-08-17T11:42:00.004-04:00

The students and graduates at the Vermont College of Fine Arts, Writing for Children and Young Adults are writing articles about writing and the writing life. Each week or so, the group moves to a different blog to post their articles. For this week's writing advice, you should check out On Beyond Words & Pictures.

Wednesday's post, by the wonderful Tim Martin, talks about Pushing the Boundaries, how do we reach and grow as writers? Do click on through, and keep coming back to this blog to see all the wonderful articles.

Best picture books of 2011 -- so far

2011-08-16T10:14:00.002-04:00

Well, it looks as if bloggers are beginning to pick which books they've seen this year are the best of the best.

Over at Seven Impossible Things, Julie Danielson has a list of picture book goodies you might enjoy. Click on over and check them out.

And, if you are a storyteller/ performer, you might want to take a look at this collection of books at Julia Donaldson's blog. She's British, the Children's Laureate there, so some of these books might not be available here in the states. But try the others. I'm sure they'll be fun to do.

-wo

NF Monday

2011-08-15T10:05:00.002-04:00

I've been busy completing my assignments for Packet 1 -- for my writing course at Vermont College -- and haven't been online very much this week. I hit SEND yesterday, whisked those files out to my advisor, and raised my head to see what was happening to the rest of the world.

Ah, Nonfiction Monday is here. You can find all the links to great books to start off the school year at Amy O'Quinn's blog, a writer who specializes in Children's Nonfiction.

Blog -- Lisa Yee's Blog

2011-08-10T16:01:00.003-04:00

If you love to read about a bubbly Children's book author's adventures (complete with lots of pictures), I'd recommend Lisa Yee's Blog, which is called, strangely enough, "Lisa Yee's Blog."

Click on over and enjoy.

Meanwhile, I'll just go hide myself with my laptop in the comfy wing chair and rewrite this month's critical essay -- again.

-wo

The big SCBWI Conference is going on now -- and you can attend Virtually

2011-08-06T21:15:00.008-04:00

If you want to find out what's happening at the National/ International SCBWI in Los Angeles this weekend, simply click here on the link to the Official SCBWI Conference Blog. They have a team of bloggers frantically typing away during each speech, panel, and workshop, bringing those words to you.

Granted, some reporters seemed more fixated on the speakers clothes than the talk itself last year, but I have hopes to be able to learn more about the program this year.

Bruce Coville was the Keynote speaker.

Judy Blume, Henry Winkler, Harold Underdown, and more, much more.

On the other hand, I think I'm going to go blind from being forced to look at the wild background stripes of that blog while I read it. I wonder if they can tone it down.

-wo

Writing Progress

2011-08-04T19:33:00.002-04:00

The past few days have been dedicated to creative work. This time I'm taking a picture book -- which a Vermont College advisor and I agreed looked more like an outline of a longer story than a picture book -- and I'm expanding it.

What Fun!

Instead of sitting at my computer, waiting for inspiration, I already have a workable outline, complete with beginning, three attempts, and success. The writing of it has just been whizzing along and I'm already at my required 20 pages for the month.

I don't want to stop this story to work on something else. I want to keep going with this one. But I"m also required to turn in 20 pages of revised work, so I will have to put this novel aside (complete with all sorts of notes as to what I want to do next) and pull up something already written which needs to be revised.

But today, I'm done.

Time for excercise. I have been going to the pool to swim laps after dinner for several weeks. But a cold, rainy front has come through and the pool will be cold. So my excercise the past days has been walking in a closed mall.

Very dangerous.

To the pocketbook (SALE at Talbots and Macys and...)

To my waistline -- because I pass three Ice Cream places and two Annie's Pretzels. Have you tried the Almond pretzels? Yummy!

-wo

Write at your Own Risk

2011-08-02T23:26:00.003-04:00

The faculty of Vermont College of Fine Arts, Writing for Children and Young Adults just created a new blog. I can only assume that it will be full of great writing advice or perhaps glimpses into their writing lives. (They are multi-published authors)

The blog is called Write at Your Own Risk. I actually was on campus last January when the sign on the skating rink, Skate at your own risk, was changed in the middle of one night to Write at your own risk. How appropriate for something at a college of writing. And what an appropriate title for a blog of writing teachers.

Click on over to Write at Your Own Risk, and add them to your feed, or make a note to visit them at least once a week.

-wo

Nonfiction Monday

2011-08-01T07:46:00.000-04:00

For your weekly links to reviews of great Nonfiction books, click on over to Lori Calabrese Writes!

Writing news

2011-07-30T17:22:00.007-04:00

This week has been dedicated to researching and writing critical essays for my second semester at the Vermont College of Fine Arts. Next week I get to have fun with my new creative work.

What am I working on? Last semester I worked on a dog story. I tried to tell it from the dog's viewpoint, but very few writers can manage this, and I don't seem to be one of them. With the help of my Vermont College advisor, I changed the point of view to the man/boy and condensed it to picture book size. What an interesting writing adventure that was.

This semester my creative work will be about -- cats. So far the cats don't speak. I hope I can keep it that way, because it's more of a story about a girl and her cat, not the cat's story.

-wo

Must an author participate in social media?

2011-07-25T10:16:00.007-04:00

Interesting discussions about the value of various social media (for authors) are going on.

Twitter

Facebook

Google +

blogs

websites

etc.

Must an author be visible on all of these, or can s/he pick and choose? After all, we are writers and we have the same 24 hours a day available to everyone else. But we also have to squeeze in Time To Write.

For a look at the experience of one writer who declared a 100-day Social Media blackout, only continuing with her website and blog, click on over to this article by Monica Valentinelli. posted on the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America website.

Oh, and for you Nonfiction Monday fans -- the links to Nonfiction Monday posts on other blogs are being collected at Check It Out. -wo

Attention teachers out there

2011-07-21T20:45:00.004-04:00

If you are a teacher or you know any teachers, or even school librarians or principals, they might be interested in this message from author, Laurel Snyder.

Feel free to pass it along.

What

Deal!

She is offering a Skype Tour to 100 classrooms in 100 days this fall!

The first 30 teachers/ media specialists/ librarians/ (probably includes principals and veeps) to sign up for this tour will get a free copy of her new book, Bigger than a Bread Box.

She will also be providing reading guides and other tools to anyone who wants that, too.

Just click on over to her blog BewilderBLOG and sign up.

The sooner she gets 100 classes confirmed, the sooner she can set the schedule.

Did I forget to mention that it's free?

Sounds like fun. -w

NonFiction Monday And Vermont

2011-07-18T15:36:00.005-04:00

Nonfiction Monday is being held at Chapter Book of the Day today. Click on over and follow the links to good books.

Sunday we had the morning off, so I drove around the Montpiellier area and discovered the Ben and Jerry's factory -- free samples, yum. As we exited, I bought some Ice cream themed PJs for the 11 year old and a scoop of (strange new flavor) ice cream for me. Hmmm, it's NOT on the way back to the airport. I wonder if I'll have time to bop back there for more before I head to the airport. But it'll be right after breakfast.... maybe not.

I'm enjoying having a car up here which means that I can occasionally get off campus.

After the graduation ceremony on Wednesday, our class will go out to eat together. This time at an Italian place. And this time I don't have to beg a ride from anyone. I can be the driver, instead. The college is on top of a steep hill and, although I can walk down it, walking back up takes twice as long, for me.

I'm trying to build my stamana by walking up the stairs to one of the lecture halls, instead of taking the elevator.

During readings in the evenings, I knit.

I've completed one scarf and are almost done with another. (I'm not attempting anything complicated -- just straight knitting.)

-wo

Vermont College -- Notes

2011-07-13T11:28:00.001-04:00

Ah, I've discovered that other Vermont College students are posting about the lectures at the Through the Tollbooth blog. Good job folks. (and, it has pictures!)
-wo

Vermont College -- Notes

2011-07-12T06:35:00.003-04:00

I'm going to be posting tidbits about my adventure at Vermont College of Fine Arts during the 10 day Residency. (If I can get the internet to cooperate.)

Yesterday, Classes at Vermont College didn't start today until 3 pm, so I took the car and drove up the mountain behind Montpelier.

and up.

Found a Maple sugar place and bought sugar. YUM.

Then took a different way home, drove off the map, found myself coming down a different side of the mountain on a dirt road. Eventually landed on Route 2 and wended my want back to the college. Just barely in time for the 3:00 gathering of all students.

The first lecture was in the evening was by the resident poet, Julie Larios. Her theme was "Who am I. The Lonely Riddle Reveals." The carry-away tidbit from her talk was, "How minds use language to organize the world affects the way we write. Riddles interrupt this and make us think.... and rethink."

-wo

Nonfiction Monday

2011-07-11T08:58:00.004-04:00

I'm at Vermont College of Fine Arts this week and next, but you can find Nonfiction Monday over at proseandkahn today.

Go, click, and enjoy.

Mount Vernon

2011-07-07T22:10:00.004-04:00

Today we drove down to Mount Vernon, just south of Washington, D.C. for a little bit of history plus a little bit of Hollywood.

Hollywood?

Yes, part of the movie, National Treasure 2, was filmed in and around Mount Vernon. And we got to see the basement area of Mount Vernon where it took place, plus saw photographs of the fancy party that Nicholas Cage crashed to talk to the President of the USA, and saw the place Nicholas Cage came out of the Potomac River, removed his wet suit, and appeared in formal evening clothing -- perfectly dry. (it's impossibile for clothing to be dry under a WET suit, but often used in movies)

The two grandkids were surprised to discover that all parts of the visit were interesting, even the history parts. The boat ride on the Potomac and the ice cream at the end helped.

They each took home a souvenier -- a key on a necklace to match the key to the Bastille that Lafayette gave George Washington. (a little bit of French history there, as well)

Fireworks

2011-07-05T23:18:00.007-04:00

Monday (July 4th) we went to see the fireworks with the two grandkids. We left early because I wanted to try a new place to view them. Recently we've been watching the display that shoots off in the playing fields south of Calvert Hall school for boys. Unfortunately that meant we had to park in a shopping center parking lot, complete with the blazing lights of the shopping center.

I was brought up seeing fireworks being displayed over fields or being shot over a lake. The parking lot lights really annoyed me.

We had heard that we could enjoy the same fireworks by sitting in the playing fields of a nearby elementary school. So off we went this year to see if we could park anywhere close by. About a block or two away, we found a good spot to park, unloaded our folding canvas chairs, gathered our snacks, and explored the playing fields.

When we settled in the middle field, near the baseball diamond, the girls ran off to play on the school playground. When they returned, they discovered more people had set up in the field and some were lighting Roman Candles and other fireworks in the center of the dirt baseball diamond. Even more people came, some wearing glowing necklaces and crowns. This inspired the younger grandkid to get out her light-up Koosh and wave it around.

Once the first firework exploded -- behind the largest tree on the edge of the playing field -- we realized we needed to move our chairs. To the Left. To the Left. To the left, left, left, until we could clearly see the display.

This was more like it.

Colored designs in a darkening sky and a community of friendly people watching and enjoying them on a dark, grassy ground. Just like I remembered from my childhood.

Soooo, how was YOUR Fourth?

-wo

Nonfiction Monday

2011-07-04T08:54:00.001-04:00

Nonfiction Monday is at Bookmuse today. Enjoy:

Medieval sims arrive in our house

2011-07-03T16:15:00.007-04:00

My husband wanted to give the 11-year old a graduation present.

Her desire?

The medieval package for her Sims program.

So they (husband, 'tween, and 'tween's best friend) drove the new Ranger Truck to the Towson Town Center shopping center. Both girls wanted to squeeze into the back of the cab, on the fold down, side-facing seats. They insisted they were comfortable, but it certainly looked like a tight fit back there. Amazingly enough, he had no trouble with the parking -- it's so much smaller than the old Dodge Ram Truck we used to own.

But the Apple Store was so crowded it was hard to move around. He found what he needed pretty quickly on the shelves, while the two girls looked for Sims 3 Medieval. They no longer have a big display of non-Apple software, so no Sims on display. The next thing he knew, our "shy" (just ask her and she'll tell you she's so shy) granddaughter had literally tackled a salesperson, who grabbed another salesperson, and the two of them went to look in the storage room. They came out a few minutes later with what they said was the LAST copy of Sims 3 Medieval in the store.

Thanks to "shy" Ariana they were in and out of the store in about 10 minutes. Given the Sunday mob in the store, it would have taken much long if they had waited in the queue. The girls are currently building Medieval Empires -- one on her desktop and the other sitting beside her, using the iPad.

-wo

Still some room at the July MD/DE/WV conference

2011-07-02T18:31:00.002-04:00

I just got this message from one of the MD/DE/WV SCBWI conference organizers:

If you're still contemplating the summer conference to be held the weekend of July 16 and 17, register now!

YA is closed, MG and PB are nearly full. Good opportunity to learn about NF or illustration. Deadline for all is Wednesday, July 6.

No walk ins!

See the previous posts for links to the conference.

-wo

Favorite blogs -- As the Eraser Burns

2011-07-01T09:06:00.003-04:00

Okay, I know it's a strange name, but it has been the name of our local SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) newsletter for years and years -- and now is the name of the local SCBWI regional blog, which replaced the newsletter. Which Region do I belong to? The Maryland/ Delaware/ West Virginia Region.

Currently it's featuring the speakers who will be at our July conference, Staying On Track, which will be held the weekend of July 16 and 17. Editors! Agents! Authors! all set to help writers improve and sell their writing.

This year there will be four tracks -- YA, Middle Grade, Picture Book, and Nonfiction. Two of the tracks are still open for registration.

So click onto this link for the blog, As the Eraser Burns, and enjoy.

And continue reading it after the conference to pick up tidbits from the sessions, because I won't be there and can't pass them along to you, myself, sorry.

I'll be busy at Vermont College attending the lectures that kick off the second semester of work.

-wo

Nonfiction Monday is Here Today

2011-06-27T07:51:00.015-04:00

I'm collecting links today of the Nonfiction Monday reviews of great nonfiction books for kids and other nonfiction posts of interest. Since I will be adding more and more links during the day, do check back this evening to see them all.

If you are interested in writing nonfiction, these links might interest you:

Rosi Holinbeck wrote about the Highlights Foundation Non-Fiction Workshop with Peter Jacobi on her blog, The Write Stuff. I know several people who have attended this workshop and can't recommend it highly enough. If you can possibly manage to attend one of these, your writing surely will improve.

Another author, Melissa Higgins, is writing a series of posts about a nonfiction Work for Hire project she's working on. If you are interested in seeing the process, click on this blog link and then come back in the next weeks as well to explore her thoughts about this project at MG Higgins.

Of course, my favorite nonfiction writer's blog is I.N.K. Interesting Nonfiction for Kids.

Here are the book reviews:

Sue, at Archimedes Notebook has posted a review of Up, Up and Away, a story of a spiderlings journey written by Ginger Wadsworth. (Oh Ginger, you KNOW my reaction to spiders!)

Jeff Barger at NC Teacher Stuff has a post about Medieval Life.

Jennifer at Jean Little Library has a review of The Secret Lives of Backyard Bugs.

Amy at Hope is the Word liked the new Chris Van Allsburg book, Queen of the Falls, today.

Amanda at A Patchwork of Books reviewed Friends: True Stories of Extraordinary Animal Friends.

Over at the blog, Apples with Many Seeds, Tammy has posted about two sports books from the series, RecordBooks. ONe is a biography of Jordin Tootoo, the first Inuit to play in the National Hockey League. The second book is more historical, Tough Guys, which looks at hockey in the early 1900s and the impact of WWI and the Spanish Flu on the teams and league.

Rebecca at The Joy of Literacy reviewed a fun book -- POP! The Invention of Bubble Gum.

There's a review of Come See the Earth Turn at Bookmuse today.

Jeanne Walker Harvey wrote about All Aboard! a picture book biography that features Elijah McCoy, the son of slaves who dreamed of becoming (and did become) a mechanical engineer and inventor of improvements for the railroads over at True Tales & a Cherry On Top.

Roberta at Wrapped in Foil enjoyed the hands-on science book The Klutz Guide to the Galaxy.

At Geo Librarian, Heidi reviewed Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart.

Mermaid Queen: the Spectacular true story of Annette Kellerman, who swam her way to fame, fortune, & swimsuit history! is the featured book on All About Books with Janet Squires.

And that's Nonfiction Monday for this week.

-wendieOld

ALA is NOW -- ALSC Blog

2011-06-25T17:30:00.006-04:00

Were you not able to attend ALA (the American Library Association) convention this year -- like me? Well, don't mope about it. Get thee to the ALSC blog to see what's going on in New York City this weekend in the children's book world.

What is ALSC?

The Association for Library Service to Children.

Chocolate

Authors!

Awards are given out

Why series are popular

Storytimes for all ages

Nonfiction Book Blast

Poetry Blast

and more

( did I mention -- chocolate? )

-wo

Amanda Old is now Amanda Brunke

2011-06-23T10:53:00.006-04:00

I've been across the country the past few days -- to Washington State -- for my youngest daughter's wedding. (blog entries during those days were written earlier and then scheduled to appear during that time.) Since her new husband is part Native American, it was a Native American ceremony in a circle in the woods on his family's property near Olympia, Washington.

Picture 1 is Kevin waiting in the ritual circle (cedar chips/ lovely smell) for Amanda to walk down the path, flower girl in front strewing

buttercups. You can see his brother and four nephews, two of which were ring bearers. In front of him is the blanket with the ritual herbs and Owl feathers for the ceremony.

On the tree stump is Kevin's clock which became part of the ceremony.

Picture 2 is the ring ceremony.

Picture 3 is the blanket ceremony. The two oldest females, I referred to as "The Moms," wrapped a blanket around the couple and then smoke from the burning herbs were blown at the couple

and then around the circle at each person

to seal the ceremony.

Who were the Moms? Well, I was one of them. Kevins's aunt was the other.

Although we were near the volcano, Mount Rainier, we couldn't prove that because the silly mountain never showed its face. We finally saw it from the plane as we were leaving.

Second Writing Exercise

2011-06-21T08:45:00.000-04:00

Another writing exercise my advisor gave me was to write a paragraph of 150 words in sentences of 7 words or less. The shorter the better. Here's that one:

We had lost Donny. He was only three years old. He could be anywhere. Dad looked under the table. I ran over to the pool. There he was! Donny had jumped into the water. I could see him wiggling. I jumped in after him. Luckily, the water was three feet deep. Donny tried to get away from me. He was still underwater. I reached in and grabbed him. I lifted him high. The silly boy giggled. He tried to swim in the air. Dad took him from my arms. Donny laughed and laughed. He struggled to get into the water. Dad wouldn’t let him. Dad gave him to me. I led Donny to the swings. We spent time swinging. After that adventure, we gave Donny waterwings.

(Update. Don now swims like a fish – two feet under water all the way. He can’t seem to float.)

Nonfiction Monday and writing exercise

2011-06-20T08:37:00.000-04:00

Nonfiction Monday is located at Geo Librarian today.

I just wanted to share a true story that I wrote as one of my Packet 5 assignments for Vermont College. The assignment was -- Write a one sentence paragraph of at at least 150 words. And here's what I wrote:

So there we are at the dinning room table with the family all gathered around to meet my new boyfriend, the guy who asked me to marry him believe it or not, and as usual Sandy and Don are sitting on the other side from me carrying on, which they do all the time, with Don grabbing Sandy’s arm, placing it around his neck and screaming that she’s choking him while all the time Sandy is trying to remove her arm from his neck but he has too strong a grip on it and keeps shoving it towards his throat and they keep on yelling and all of this rumpus across the table from me (and my boyfriend, soon to be husband) ends in the usual way with ‘someone,’ I won’t say just who, knocking over their milk and the milk streaming across the table into my lap and me reacting in the usual way with TOTAL embarrassment.

(Marion if you are reading this, you know WHO spilt the milk.)

School's out !

2011-06-17T15:15:00.004-04:00

School's Out For Summer! (can you hear the rock 'n roll tune?)

The 11-year old just graduated from 5th grade today -- with a Presidential commendation!

Last week and this week have been just packed with various 5th grader events, including a huge gathering for the 5th grade yearbook signing.

Last evening one of her friends took her to get her nails done in celebration. (black nail polish -- but it's acceptable because she had so much glitter and "diamonds" put on it that the nails actually look more silver than black.)

Today, while the rest of the school held last-day, half-day classes, the 5th graders were in the Cafetorium holding their 5th grade farewell ceremony, culminating with a powerpoint of slides of them at various ages.

Now she's at a Graduation Pool Party -- the last gathering of all the 5th graders who attended the after-school care with her. The day care is called A Family Affair.

Tomorrow she attends another Graduation Pool Party.

She'll have her own graduation pool party in a week or two, when things settle down.

School's Out for Summer!

-wo

Blog -- Cockeyed Caravan

2011-06-15T22:52:00.003-04:00

Over at the Cockeyed Caravan, Betsy Byrd's husband is taking apart and putting back together the Harry Potter books. He thinks the first three are just about perfect, but then shines his light on the flaws of the last four. He's up to book 5. Stay tuned for the rest of the books. I know I will.

(You remember that Betsy Byrd also writes a delightful blog about books, mostly new books, at her blog, A Fuse #8 Production. And now she has a baby bookworm to try the new picture books out on.)

-wo

Wendie's Wanderings

Please ask your State Legislators to Support Libraries

Rest in Peace, Carolyn Reeder

Learn as if you were to live forever

Watching the ALA Media Awards on Monday

Nonfiction Monday -- a Craft of Nonfiction Storytelling Workshop

Semester 3 Reveals their name

Interviews with Picture Book Editors

Nonfiction Monday -- Emperor Penguin

Agents talk

New Ambassador for Young People's Literature

Guess what this is?

Cybils Finalists Announced

Hoppy New Year! 2012

December Carnival of Children's Literature

Research or Plagiarism?

100 Magnificent Books

Books, books, books, and Festivus, too

Happy what?

Fun with Science

Thought for the Day -- Definition of a Human Being

Christmas tree is up!

Activate your Story!

Interested in Graphic Novels? This Webinar might be of Interest

See the Newbery/ Caldecott Award Announcements Live!

Catch the Youth Media Awards

Students Respond to Picture Book Biographies

The last Packet of Writing (for this year)

Katherine Paterson to Speak Today

November's Carnival of Children's Literature

Handling Social Media when you have Too Much To Do

RIP Anne McCaffrey

Fun Ways to give Books for the Holidays

Nonfiction Monday

Nonfiction Monday

Counting the days until the National Book Awards

What kind of Hershey's Chocolate are you?

Why Picture Books are Important

November is National Picture Book Month

numbers !

National Book Awards Teen Press Conference Live!

Someone likes Halloween

Writer's Block?

Five years

The end of the world?

Pumpkin Patch

Interview with a National Book Award finalist

Guess who came to dinner?

Nonfiction Monday -- The Halloween Book of Facts and Fun

TGIF

Nonfiction can be Funny

Books Boys Love to Read

Carnival of Children's Literature

Nonfiction Monday

Blog -- Smack Dab in the Middle

ABOUT SMACK DAB

Reading, Researching, Writing

Nonfiction Monday -- My Plate and You

Will e-books replace print books?

Can Celebrities write Good Children's Books?

Walking to school

On the other hand, something to cheer you up

Memories of 9-11

Packet 2 -- Sent

Gingerbread Cowboy news

Invasion of art in Scotland

cakes for crafters

News of the day. No, it's not more hurricane news

Nonfiction Monday

Hurricane Irene -- Early Sunday Morning Report

Preparing for hurricane Irene

Blog -- Pencil Tips Writing Workshop

Nonfiction Monday

We're back -- from California

Blog -- On Beyond Words & Pictures

Best picture books of 2011 -- so far

NF Monday

Blog -- Lisa Yee's Blog

The big SCBWI Conference is going on now -- and you can attend Virtually

More posts about writing