My Journey

A very long story short...I happened upon a book by RIF at Half Price Books. It was their 40th anniversary fundraiser book. I opened it to find illustrators' journeys, and what brought them to illustrate books for children. Being a book nerd, I bought it and love this little treasure I found. Each illustrator has a 2 page spread. On one side they've written about their childhood favorite book memories and the other side, they've reimagined an illustration from one them.

As I prepare for a new year, I decided to write a post on my journey. My favorite childhood books will be on another post. This is the big picture of my reading/writing journey.

Not Me

I am so grateful for this journey. I started long ago writing poems and things for family when I was a child. I also read a LOT.

Not Me

I went to college and became a teacher. I loved creating engaging lessons that would motivate and resonate with my class. I almost always started with a story. I always placed a collection of books on a table with the topics we were learning about for the kiddos to explore.

Not Me

Next, I stayed home with my boys, and boy, did we read books! I taught at a preschool for a few years and wrote for The Mailbox Magazine, Inc.

Not My Kids

Then when my boys got much older, I went back to school and earned my Masters of Library Science and opened a new school as the librarian. It was amazing! Talking about books and authors, technology and how to find information with kids all day!

ME

After a few magical years, my husband and I decided, in order to be able to travel with him and his job, I would leave my school position. It was with such mixed feelings that I did. But...could I really leave kids and books. NO! On my travels, I seek out book places...whether BIG

Melk Abbey Library

or small.

Book Cart in Prague

AND...I've now spent the last 2 full years learning the craft of writing for children!

My Desk

I found my place. I found my people. It IS a fabulous journey.

Not Me

My Year in Books 2018

               This Year I Read:

      Interesting average book length.

I read a LOT of picture books this year!

What a difference!

All data collected by GoodReads. If you don't use GoodReads, you really should give it a try. It's a great place to keep track of books you've read AND books you want to read!

Texas Bluebonnet Announcement

It's always so exciting when the new list comes out! I grabbed this early photo of the list! I hope you can read it. I've even already read some! I'll add more with links when it's available from TLA.

2019-2020 TX Bluebonnet List

While in London

What do you do when in London? Buy some local books of course! I always visit Waterstone Book Store when I'm there. This time I bought Peppa Goes to London, Oi Cat and You Can't Take an Elephant on the Bus. Then I found Not Enough for Queen Fluff at the gift shop by Tower Hill.

Then while in Marlow, I walked by a couple of famous authors' old homes, which you can see under the Bookish Fun tab.

Aren't these bunnies delightful? I bought them from Reva at a local art gallery. They are going in my home library/writing space. I find them inspiring. 

I've been reading The Artist's Way by Julie Cameron. If you've read it, you know that you go on Artist's Dates, and you take care of your inner child, AND you're to be kind to yourself. Well, you don't have to tell me twice. This is one of the items that came from one such journey! 

I highly recommend this book to everyone - to any creative type, and to those looking for come creativity in their lives. 

Coming soon to a bookstore near you!

The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl

by Stacy McAnulty

I'll have a blog post once the book is available. Right now - it's on pre-order! It's due out on May 1.

My Year in Books 2017

A Cooked-Up Fairy Tale by Penny Klostermann

                     

A Cooked-Up Fairy Tale

written by: Penny Parker Klostermann
illustrated by: Ben Mantle
Published by: Random House
Date: September 5, 2017

If you love fractured fairy tales, you will love this mash-up.  It is full of delicious fun!

Book Hooks:

1- Who ever thought of Fairy Tales as having the common element of FOOD?  Ms. Penny Klostermann did! The opening page spread sets the scene with William, who is lucky enough to live in a fairy tale land...but, he "...preferred pastries to princesses, kitchens to kingdoms, and recipes to the Royal Reporter."

2- A boy who loves to cook - I love that! I have three boys who are young adults now - and they ALL love to cook!

3- A mash-up story - I really enjoy mash-ups!  But...YOU will have to read the book to find out which fairy tales appear in this mash-up! Remember...think 'food'.

4- There are so many good things about this story - I have already purchased it for my nieces AND nephews. 

From Goodreads:

From the creators of There Was an Old Dragon Who Swallowed a Knight comes a fun fractured fairy tale about an aspiring chef who mistakenly turns story ingredients into delectable dishes. . . . Uh-oh! 

In the magical land of fairy tales, William doesn't quite fit in. He'd rather poach pears than pursue princesses, and he values gnocchi over knighthood. . . .

When he stumbles on a delivery of food destined for Fairy-Tale Headquarters (a pumpkin, apples, and a few measly beans), he decides to spice things up and whips the paltry ingredients into delectable dishes. But as you might have guessed, Snow White's wicked stepmother doesn't exactly want her magic apple baked and drizzled with caramel.

The team that brought you There Was an Old Dragon Who Swallowed a Knight delivers a hilariously fractured, whipped, and souffleed fairy tale that is chock-full of delicious details and jokes to satisfy every appetite!

Bon Appetit!

If you are looking for another fabulous, fun read - pick up There Was an Old Dragon Who Swallowed a Knight, one of my personal favorites.  You will  beg to read this one again!