Meet Mittens. Promoted from paper weight to list keeper. In January 2011, I pulled out a crisp new spiral notebook and penned the words “Donna’s Reading Log” on the front. My plan was to list every book I read in 2011. I’ve posted previously about the fluid picture book log I keep, complete with word… Read more »
2011 has been a great year to follow our favorite publishing professionals through their individual blogs. Today, I direct your attention to the blogs I’ve followed throughout the year. Trust me, you’ll want to follow them, too. Drum roll, please. (look to the left) BLOG ROLL 2011
The only photo I took was of Kadir Nelson. Another Texas Book Festival has come and gone. Sigh! Thousands of people crowded the streets surrounding the state capitol, where a tent city housed book sellers, music, children’s entertainment, and author readings and signings. Inside, seemingly every nook, cranny, chamber, and extension room of the capitol… Read more »
The 2011 Texas Book Festival kicks off this weekend, October 22-23. I’ll join 40,000 of my closest friends at the State Capitol complex in Austin. I’ve lined up my own personal festival schedule, prioritizing which sessions, signings, and readings I simply can’t miss. That’s important because I’ll be making multiple treks between this bookish slice… Read more »
The first impression we have of a book always begins with the cover. The visual introduction makes promises about the story before the spine is ever cracked. Even in classrooms around the country, students are encouraged to illustrate covers to their stories. It’s the final touch for the author and the first impression for the… Read more »
We’re all faced with decision on a daily basis. But, what about those choices that cause sleepless nights and endless analysis? The cliche is right. The only thing worse than making the wrong decision is making no decision at all. Indecision, the unique blend of fear, spiced with insecurity, can lead to one heck of… Read more »
Happy 60th birthday to Sparky the fire dog! Meet Sparky, the adorable Dalmation spokesdog for The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA,) the leading advocate for fire safety. Since his debut in 1951, millions of people have learned about fire safety through Sparky’s extensive educational programs. NFPA teamed up with Charlesbridge Publishing and Emmy-award winning… Read more »
Today, I just have shine a light on Cynthia Leitich Smith. She’s the most generous, supportive A-list author in the world and certainly an angel to many writers on their way to publication. Including me. The graphic novel version of Cyn’s ever popular young adult novel, TANTALIZE, has just been released by Candlewick Press. To… Read more »
In honor of Summer, I’ve dipped into far corners of my personal archive. Many moons ago, this won a double-digit fiction contest. Should it have won? I dunno, but every time I get near a pool, it comes to mind. THE WORD (99 words) Mark stepped gingerly into the cold, sending ripples of water… Read more »
Last week, I spent several days at The Texas Library Association conference in Austin, Texas. I sat in on sessions about science in kids’ books, picture books, and the like. I schmoozed with authors, illustrators, and some of the nicest librarians in the state. Then I opened more book covers than you can imagine. Among… Read more »
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