Young Writers' Conference -Alta Vista

I enjoyed a wonderful school visit this past Friday at Alta Vista Elementary School with the Young Writers' conference. http://www.youngwritersconference.org/index.html The conference (they do many throughout the year at southland schools) is exceptional because it is run in the same format as an adult writer’s conference. The kids pick break out sessions with professional writers who specialize in everything from screenplays, novels, blogging, technical, music, children’s and more. I did presentations to third graders, talking about imagery, symbolism, and the creative process. I than gave them an illustration to inspire their writing. Their work was amazing! Some wrote in poetic, brief, almost haiku form, others wrote two pages with complex plots, (Obviously the novelists in the group) others were very serious critiques of the image. What I found most fascinating is how willing all of the kids were to stand up in front of the group and share their work. They were all so proud. It was a such pleasure!

Kiki by Janie Bynum

Janie Bynum has a trailer for her new book KIKI up on YouTube...check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsgQFr4_fxo

Tickle Monster Mitts rock!

I'm a huge fan (and for full disclosure, friend) of Kevan Atteberry. His latest book, Tickle Monster written by Josie Bisset, is delightful. Even more so when coupled with the companion tickle mitts. If anyone is looking for a baby gift, I've found the both to be a huge hit and recommend them highly.

Grandmother Have the Angels Come? In stores.

Grandmother Have the Angles Come? by Denise Vega, is out Feb. 1st

"The affection that pours from the pages is strong and believable" -Publishers Weekly

Little Brown has made coloring sheets available for free download at http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/kids_fun_index.aspx Print and Enjoy!

Full Moon

Tonight is apparently going to be the largest full moon of 2009. In Japan they celebrate the full moon with moon viewing parties where friends sit in beautiful pagodas and compose haiku. So, in honor of the moon here is a famous poem by Hashimoto Takako (1899-1963),

tsuki ichirin tôko ichirin hikariau

the disk moon

the disk frozen lake

reflecting each other

Another thing to celebrate is the wonderful post by Jama Rattigan who featured Hula Lullaby on her Alphabet Soup blog. http://jamarattigan.livejournal.com/219072.html Her review notes many of the cultural references and symbolism that inspired the book, and I'm very pleased.

Small Graces: A Painting a Month for the FCB

Grace Lin, famed children's book author and illustrator will be auctioning original paintings once a month through eBay with 100% of the proceeds to benefit the Foundation of Children's Books, a small non-profit organization in Boston that is making a big difference in the lives of young readers by bringing children's book authors and illustrators into under-served schools in Boston for visits and residencies.

This is everyone's chance to own original work by one of this generations most beloved artists.

To find out more see Grace's Blog: http://www.smallgracesart.blogspot.com/

Happy Holidays 2008!