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6 of My Favorite Kid’s Book Author-Illustrators | Children’s Book Authors and Illustrators Week!
Happy Children’s Book Authors and Illustrators Week! This week is a great excuse to sit back and think about, or re-read, your favorite books from when you were little. If you look some up, you might be surprised (like I was) at how many were written and illustrated by the same person! There’s truly something fantastic about a well-written and illustrated kid’s book, whether textured by an author and a complimentary artist, or if both parts grew out of the same mind. I have a lot of respect for artists who dance in that middle ground, and there are so many with such rich talents! They have my undying admiration,…
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13 Books that have Stayed With Me
It began with a Facebook survey that my mother-in-law tagged me in: In your status, list 10 books that have stayed with you in some way. Don’t take more than a few minutes and do not think too hard. They do not have to be the “right” books or great works of literature, just ones that have affected you in some way. And then the clever Sarah Shotts said she wanted to re-post her own answers on her blog, and I knew I had to do the same! Favorite books are such a special part of any writer’s life (everyone’s life!), I just wanted to share my list of enduring, memorable picks…
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You should be embarrassed if you’re embarrassed to read YA (or Children’s books)
I express my frustration over the controversial article by Ruth Graham called “Against YA,” and share some quotes from other articles that feel the same way. Click the blog header to read more.
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Thanksgiving (in a series of soundbytes)
Well, it’s that wonderful time of year again where we look back and reflect on all the things we’re thankful for! I’m definitely thankful that I have this blog, and that technology has evolved to the point where this was possible </nerd> Of course I’m thankful for the world’s rich history of storytelling in all its forms, but more importantly (and more corporeally) I’m thankful for friends, family and a loyal readership like you (thaaank yoooou!) who encourage me so much in my writing endeavors! Today I wanted to tell you about my favorite Thanksgiving book, Squanto and The First Thanksgiving. This has been a family favorite in my house…
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Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes
Happy Veteran’s Day, and the lesser-known Origami Day! The origami is ready to salute! Among the many random things I do to pass the time or divert myself, I’ve always loved crafts, and paper art is no exception! The tradition of paper art is found in many different cultures around the world, but the best known is probably Japanese origami, the art of paper folding. Anything that old with mysterious origins has legends surrounding it, and with origami the most famous legend centers on the paper crane. They say that if someone folds 1000 paper cranes they will be granted one wish. I’ve tried it, but never succeeded. You need a dedicated…
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Book Byte: Painless Learning!
Happy school year, guys! It’s the weekend and I’m posting an entry about SCHOOL! YAAAY! It’s just that the past few weeks I’ve been getting nostalgic flashbacks of buying school supplies and books, and the morning bustle of my dad, me and my sister getting ready for work and school as my mom rushed around helping all of us out get out the door on time. I remember on very rainy days the house seemed so cozy, and everything about our morning ritual just seemed…strangely perfect. There was a homey bustle to the start of school that I loved then and now. *happy sigh* Okay, so I haven’t been in…
Artist, Author, Geek