Today’s Friend Friday friend, Lydia Lukidis, reminds us all of the power of persistence and of believing in one’s work. Though the road to publication for No Bears Allowed (Blue Whale Press) was neither smooth or straight, she hung in there to create a story that shows empathy in action. Read on! No Bears Allowed… Read more »
“Before there were books we read each other.” -Lisa Cron
It’s not often that I can say of a Friend Friday that I’ve known them since they were in grade school — but I can absolutely say that about Erin Lorence! Her mother, Diane Yancey, and I had met at a writing conference eons ago and, despite living many miles from one another, committed to… Read more »
“I was not rescued by a prince, I was the administrator of my own rescue.” Elizabeth Gilbert
It is a treat to host Tamara Ellis Smith today in celebration of her newest picture book, Here and There, illustrated by Evelyn Daviddi (Barefoot Books). If you visit Tamara’s beautiful website, you’ll find the words, “together we can turn empathy into action.” Her lovely book — and the ripples it’s already making in the… Read more »
“Don’t let anyone rob you of your imagination, your creativity, your curiosity. It’s your place in the world; it’s your life.” Dr. Mae Jemison
I confess to not remembering how Sarah Miller and I first met face-to-face, but I knew we would be pals after reading her Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller (Atheneum Books for Young Readers). Sarah brought out aspects of Annie Sullivan and Helen Keller that were new and fresh to me; I also figured out she… Read more »
“It took me quite a long time to develop a voice, and now that I have one, I am not going to be silent.” -Madeleine Albright
Nancy Furstinger is a very patient person. In January 2019, I invited her to be a Friend Friday guest to celebrate her then-forthcoming picture book. The catch was that I wouldn’t have an opening until November 15! Lucky for us, Nancy agreed to wait and I think you will enjoy her story behind the story… Read more »
“I will not have my life narrowed down. I will not bow down to somebody else’s whim or to someone else’s ignorance.” Bell Hooks