Reflections

  • New Landscapes
    August 27, 2010

    I just heard a wonderful report on NPR the other day about the benefits of vacations. They spoke about how important it is to interrupt your daily routines and let your mind rest. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111887591

    Even though we both love our careers and the people we meet through our work, Ted and I will soon be doing just that. We'll hike. We'll ride. We'll see new landscapes, make new friends. We'll sit and read and think. We'll eat different foods, listen to different music. We will relax and rest. And when we return, we will see our familiar world with new eyes.

    08/27/2010
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  • Oh Happy Day!
    August 24, 2010

    Yet another book debuts. This is #4 in the MITTENS series with I Can Read (HPC). HAPPY HALLOWEEN, MITTENS arrives just in time for pumpkins and fall fun. In fact, our Calvin and Hobbes were so excited to learn that another kitten book was here, Hobbes had to jump for joy. Take a look!

    08/25/2010
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  • Frankie Stein is Back!
    August 23, 2010

    The second Frankie Stein book - Frankie Stein Starts School - has arrived! Kevan Atteberry outdid himself again with wonderful art that pops on the page. In this book, as the title announces, Frankie goes to school for the first time. He likes Miss Wart's Academy for Ghouls and Goblins, and his teacher is great. The other kids . . . well, they're not so friendly, but Frankie wins them over with hard work and his gift for scariness.

    08/23/2010
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  • Transition
    August 13, 2010

    It's that time of year when my efforts are split between writing and working in schools. It's always a bumpy few weeks while I bring manuscripts together and plan new presentations for teachers. It's exciting, though. I'm combining both of my loves. Seems like our garden is in a similar state right now. Many plants are still blooming, but not with the lush flowers of a few weeks ago. The greens are bolting, but new plantings are breaking ground. Some plants have browning leaves, yet the peppers grow larger and brighter each day.

    Here is a photo of one of the twelve crepe myrtle bushes we planted two years ago. Just as other plants are dropping blossoms, their color is just starting. The change from one season to another is a mix of goodbye and hello.

    08/13/2010
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  • It's Here!
    August 8, 2010

    My author copies of JUST ONE BITE arrived. It's gorgeous! It's fun! It's huge! It is a work of art. Thank you Geoff Waring for breathtaking illustrations!
    Thank you Chronicle Books for investing in the gatefolds to show the actual size of these animals, their mouths, jaws, teeth and bites. I'm anxious to share it with children and see their reactions. A special thank you to my editor Melissa Manlove whose perseverance and attention to detail took this book from good to great.

    The photo - which doesn't do the spread justice - shows the Queen Alexandra birdwing butterfly sipping nectar. This butterfly is the largest in the world.

    08/08/2010
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