Friend Friday

Little did I know that, when my then-sixth-grade daughter introduced me to Karen Cushman’s Catherine, Called Birdy, my path would intertwine with Karen’s in lovely ways. (Exciting news: Lena Dunham is directing a movie version of Birdy.) After falling in love with Karen’s first book, I impatiently awaited each new title (I do think Matilda Bone is still… Read more »

Taking the Plunge

Something a bit different today at Friend Friday — a message from me! Each week, I use this space to shine the spotlight on a fellow book creator’s work. Some of my guest bloggers don’t even know they’re my friends until I invite them to participate (Virginia Euwer Wolff, Make Lemonade, is a recent case in point)…. Read more »

Friend Friday

I have been blessed to have been embraced into the classrooms and hearts of so many teachers, including the amazing Katy Van Aken. Katy (who lives in Indiana) emailed me one August having just finished The Fences Between Us, writing that she couldn’t wait to share the book with her “angels.” A lively correspondence ensued,… Read more »

Friend Friday

What fun it is to host my lovely friend Jennifer K. Man today in celebration of her newest picture book, The Camping Trip, (Candlewick Press). There is something so dear in Jennifer’s kid-friendly illustrations, which are deceptively simple. These charming drawings invite us in, and they reveal something new with each reading. And even though… Read more »

Friend Friday

My friend Dana Sullivan has a huge imagination and a huge sense of humor. And he is terrific about supporting other book creators. So it gives me great pleasure to shine the spotlight on him today, in support of his brand new series, Dead Max Comix, and the first installment in the series, The Deadening… Read more »

Friend Friday

When I opened my gifts on Christmas day, I found this beautiful bracelet wrapped in a small silver box. My husband had ordered it from Etsy (trust me, I never thought I’d be writing those words!). Here is the entire inscription: “The beginning is always today.” ~ Mary Shelley. He made a special request of… Read more »

Friend Friday

There’s nothing fishy about Nadine Poper’s newest book, Randall and Randall (Blue Whale Press)! This wonderful picture book (with its starred review!) explores symbiotic relationships in the sea…with real life lessons for us landlubbers. Read on to learn more! Animals and our animal world are simply fascinating! And they can teach us so much about… Read more »

“Before there were books we read each other.” -Lisa Cron

“Before there were books we read each other.” -Lisa Cron

“I was not rescued by a prince, I was the administrator of my own rescue.” Elizabeth Gilbert