on my desk monday

Hope you had a great holiday! Ours was quite enjoyed, as evidenced by what is on my desk today:

Even though the house is now in shambles, it was built with a great deal of care. This year, instead of just being a critic, Rain Dragon was quite an active participant.   She helped with the construction:

(one marshmallow for the house, one marshmallow for my mouth)

to the decorating:

(it needs more jellybeans, more, more, more)

and, of course,  the finishing touch:

yes, now it is finished!

fortune cookie friday

"The snow goose need not bathe to make itself white. Neither need you do anything but be yourself."
- Lao Tzu

topping off christmas

Every year, I have this idea that we will create the most picturesque, Pinterest-worthy Christmas. So far, it's never quite happened. This year is no exception.

However, this year, we were determined to have a Christmas tree topper. The tops of all my trees of Christmas past have been bald because I've never gotten it together to make something to my liking. But a million years ago, when Rain Dragon was still a secret, I met the incredible artist Salley Mavor and got her book, Pocketful of Posies as well as her crafting book Felt Wee Folk.

So using that as an inspiration, the Sasquatch and I began making our little family. Here we are bald and as wizards:

Salley uses acorns for hats, but it's not acorn season! 

But in the end, we opted for hair and being Muggles:

Of course, we had to do this at night while Rain Dragon was sleeping and only finished this morning, so she got a Christmas Eve Morning surprise:

But the tree is fully decorated for Christmas!

Happy Holidays, all!! Wishing you a merry and joyous season!!!

tree!

Oh my, it's Christmas Eve tomorrow!

I'm deep in my novel, which, unfortunately, makes me extremely absent-minded. So the days to the holidays have just slipped by and I haven't done half of what I wanted to do. Sigh!

But we did get a tree! We cut our own again, like last year! This time, Rain Dragon was quite excited:

And wanted to us to take all of them:

But we finally decided on one and let the Sasquatch do his manly duty:

And let Rain Dragon do her perceived one:

all the ornaments on the bottom of the tree, toddler-height!

I was tempted just to leave the tree decorated this way!

on my desk monday

I've sent out Christmas cards! Of course, I just sent them out on Saturday, so people it's a toss-up on whether people will actually get them before Christmas. Still, aren't you impressed?

Though, I guess I really shouldn't be that proud. The only reason I was able to get this together was because Rain Dragon's pre-school had what I think was the smartest fundraiser ever--they had a professional photo shoot/holiday card package that parents could sign up for. It made things so convenient that even the most disorganized and absent-minded of parents (yours truly!) were able to get their cards done. But, pretend to be impressed anyway, okay? Think of it as my Christmas present!

fortune cookie friday

"Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace."
- Buddha

return to rituals

The art for the fourth Ling and Ting book is finished (have you read the third one? hope you liked it)!

the board in now empty, as compared to before!

Before Rain Dragon made her appearance, I used to make a special art folder every time I began a book. I love pretty paper and it was an excuse to buy and use it; but it also became kind of a ritual--a way to focus before starting work. 

I haven't made an art folder for a couple of years now because I just didn't have the time. But with the art for this Ling and Ting book finished, my plate is finally cleared to plunge into the novel completely without any other work distractions. And I am a little nervous!

So, to procrastinate to clear my mind, I decided to make an art folder:

the outside is rainbow colors!

the inside is rainbow balloons! 

I think it turned out well! Hope it's a good sign for my next project....

on my desk monday

Christmas shopping! You never go wrong giving books!

fortune cookie friday

"Good advice is like bitter medicine."
- Chinese Proverb

on my desk monday

Signing bookplates! I have to sign a huge stack of these for an upcoming school visit. Should be fun (the visit, not the signing)!

If YOU want books signed by yours truly, Broadside Books  can make it happen--just make sure you say you want it autographed in the comments section! If you want the books for the holidays, order soon!

fortune cookie friday

"To chop a tree quickly, spend twice the time sharpening your axe."
- Chinese Proverb

memory pearl

Rain Dragon loves jumping in puddles outside when it rains, so when she is inside and there is no rain she jumps in "sun puddles."

she even has to run to put her boots on before she jumps

It makes me smile every time.

on my desk monday

Prints for my etsy shop! I'm all set for holiday shoppers! Hello cyberMonday!

Of course, the prints from my etsy shop are on the small size and are not archival. If you are looking for a large size museum quality archival print for a super special gift, I am happy to announce that updated-and-improved Child at Heart Gallery has some available. While you are there, check out the other amazing artists' work!  I completely covet this Trina Schart Hyman print...

Also, if you want books signed by yours truly, Broadside Books  can make it happen--just make sure you say you want it autographed in the comments section!

Happy Holiday Shopping!

fortune cookie friday

"Everyone eats and drinks, but few appreciate taste."
- Confucius.

Indies First Saturday

As part of Indies First Saturday, I'm returning to a my old bookselling profession--though at a different store and only for an hour. Come to Broadside Books on Saturday at 4pm and meet yours truly!

Support your local bookstore and meet some fun authors this Saturday! Hope to see you!

on my desk monday

Tea drinking season! This one seems apropos as I am trying to juggle projects while chasing deadlines and prepping for the holidays...

and my turtle flash drive seems a little ironic

fortune cookie friday

"Gratitude is an act of a good heart."
- Chinese Proverb

one book, one me!

I'm in the middle of my school visit and event schedule. I've had a string of lovely ones that I've been meaning to post about, but I wanted to make sure I wrote about this one before too much time passed...

Because I was super honored that Where the Mountain Meets the Moon was chosen for the One Book, One Rosemount program! Everyone in Rosemount, MN was encouraged to read the book and then meet yours truly:

Not only did the program distribute hundreds of free copies, the library arranged a series of programs  in coordination with the book.

I meant to get a photo of the inside of that awesome brochure that listed all the programs but I forgot!

Schools also got in on the action with brush painting:

dragon making:

 

and researching and creating their own Chinese folktale books:

these are SO awesome!!!

I was lucky to be able to visit some schools during my stay in Rosemount, where the students had some head-scratching questions for me: 

that's a stumper!

yes, and isn't that ironic?

But I distracted them by introducing Starry River of the Sky to them:

And teaching them how to draw  a tiger:

It was great fun!

Me, the moon, and the lovely director of the program Frances Veit!

Thanks so much, Rosemount!!!

Twice as Silly Book Trailer!

And here's the Ling and Ting: Twice as Silly Book Trailer! Enjoy!

on my desk monday

Some finished painting for the fourth Ling and Ting book!

(Do you know that the third book, Ling and Ting: Twice as Silly just came out last week?  Share your silly story with me!)

fortune cookie friday

"Do not hasten to rejoice at someone’s departure until you see his replacement."
- Chinese Proverb

Tell Me a Story…TWICE AS SILLY as Ling & Ting!

Ling & Ting: Twice as Silly has just released!  Once again the twins end their day by telling silly stories.  This time, though, the stories are TWICE AS SILLY!

I hope to celebrate the new book by hearing my readers tell me their silly stories.

Whether it is something you wrote using the new Ling & Ting Story Starters  or something silly that happened to you, I would love to have you record your story on video.  Why?  Because I want to see you tell it and I would like to share your story with other readers!

If you share your story, you will receive a free Ling & Ting print in the mail!  One random storyteller, will also get a Pocket Pacy!!

How does it work?

1) The offer is open to my readers from ages 5-12 and the educators and librarians that are my other valiant readers.  One entry per reader, please.  The offer will remain until supplies last.

2) You must, of course, have your parent, guardian, or teacher’s permission to make and share a video.  If you have their permission, always protect your online safety by not saying your name or your location.

3) You might start your recorded story by saying, “I have a story twice as silly as Grace Lin’s book Ling & Ting: Twice as Silly…”

4) Load the video onto YouTube, Vimeo or onto my Facebook Page.  Loading the video in either location implies that you are willing to have others see it and to have me share it with other readers.  Message me at gracelin.manager@gmail.com if you want to share your video with me privately. 

5) Tell our friends at Curious City DPW that you have uploaded a video and give them your mailing address to get a Ling & Ting print.

NOTE: Curious City DPW will only use your address to send you a print.  They will not sell or share your address.  Your address will be deleted after shipping.

EDUCATORS, LIBRARIANS, OR GROUPS.  If you have multiple videos and would like multiple prints mailed to you directly, please make arrangements with Curious City DPW by e-mailing kirsten@curiouscity.net.

on my desk monday

Seven years after the American edition was published, the Year of the Dog is now in French! Look at the cover! Fun, huh?

Even better, a French edition of the Year of the Rat is coming too!

I'm going to give one of these as my next newsletter giveaway (you can sign up for my newsletter here). C'est bien, non?

fortune cookie friday

"To lead people walk behind them."
- Lao Tzu

A Star for SILLY!

Yay! The School Library Journal gave Ling and Ting:Twice as Silly a starred review! So thrilled! This will appear in the December issue:

"Those irrepressible twins are back with more sweetly goofy antics in a third installment of the easy reader series….each episode unfolds with pitch-perfect comedic timing, ending with a chuckle-worthy (and decidedly silly) punch line….A winning addition to a delightfully fun series.”

(Remember, you can still order an autographed copy from my local bookstore and get a surprise gift from me--last day to pre-order is Tuesday!)

on my desk monday

Ling and Ting magnets!

It's one of the surprise gifts you could get from me if you  pre-order an autographed copy of Ling and Ting:Twice as Silly from my local bookstore! What else might you get? Maybe one of these:

Yes, I have five Pocket Pacys that I will give out randomly as well! Will you get one? Please order Ling and Ting: Twice as Silly and find out!