windows and mirrors

This is the height of my school visit season, so I've found it hard to squeeze in creative work. But the good people of the New England Children's Bookseller's Advisory Council asked if I would design a logo for their "Windows and Mirrors" project; I knew I had to find the time. Obviously, from all my TEDx blathering, this initiative to highlight diverse books is close to my heart. So after many way-too-complicated-and-not-great ideas, I came up with this:

It's not the final version (and the title may change), but I'm hoping it works...I kind of like it. What do you think?

spring is here

Piglet is moving in to his house again! (Totoro moved out last year) 

The house has been renovated, with landscaping:

Happy Spring!

Cross your fingers for me!

I mentioned this on my Facebook page but wanted to post it here, too--especially as I am trying to revitalize this blog (as an aside, I just saw somewhere that that blogging is the "Blockbuster video" of social media! Oh well, I guess I am just committed to dying forms of communication!). I have some super cool news!!

When the Sea Turned to Silver is a finalist for the EB White Read Aloud Award! I'm very honored, not only because this sticker is maybe the most awesome-looking of any of the awards but because it is chosen and given by independent booksellers. I love independent bookstores, my local ones  kind of become my second home. I was so devoted to my old indie bookstore that I had my launch party there even though I moved two hours away--and it was so completely worth it.

Unfortunately for me (but not the world), the competition is pretty stiff so I'm not going to get my hopes too high. Like they say at the Oscars, it's just an honor to be nominated!

Happy Easter!

I've never had a good result coloring eggs--in my youth, we used those kits with the wire holders and the dye tablets and the colors were always disappointing. I finally came to the conclusion that the brightly colored eggs in magazines and photos were somehow faked.

But this year, Rain Dragon wanted to color "really bright" eggs, so I decided to follow internet directions as close to the letter as possible. Cool the eggs in ice water! 20 drops of food coloring!  Well, I am happy to report that, for once, the internet told the truth. Our eggs were the most colorful I've ever made them:

and were the "bright eggs" of Rain Dragon's dreams:

Which meant, of course, we had to have an egg hunt with them--We always have a Red Egg hunt for her birthday but she said she wanted to "practice." So, I hid our seven eggs (was aiming for lucky number eight but one broke):

And she and her bunny dashed to find them:

and had a happy Easter!

Hope you had one, too!

Another Awesome School

So, I have a big backlog of awesome school photos. These schools worked so hard to make me feel welcome, I must share...even if a bit belatedly. This is from a school in West Bloomfield, MI--where all the classes decorated their doors in my honor!

Most of the older grades chose Where the Mountain Meets the Moon as their theme. Aren't they beautiful?

Here are a couple close ups:

Most of the younger grades chose from Ling & Ting books.  Ling and Ting Share a Birthday was particularly popular; I think the last story about the underwear as birthday gift was what did it. This class illustrated every story on their door:

see the underwear?

While this class made birthday cards:

While others displayed the cutest drawings:

One class chose Dim Sum for Everyone! and I think their door looks good enough to eat!

But the icing on the cake was the huge mural in the library--where a mountain, moon and orange goldfish created from tissue paper awaited me:

As well as all the students' ideas of what the secret to happiness is:

I don't know which one is the right answer but the school sure did make this author happy! Thanks so much, West Bloomfield!

Beautiful Board!

More old school visit photos! This one was from the Winthrop School, another school that did a One Book, One School read of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. Unfortunately, the only photo I took was of their bulletin board welcoming me in, but it's such a good one I have to share:

It's the Village of Moon Rain 

but instead of raining seeds, it's raining Where the Mountain Meets the Moon!

Pretty neat, huh?

One Book, One Read, One Awesome School!

I've been remiss with this blog, I know. I've found it hard to get back into the swing of social media-- puttering and stalling, then repeat. But life has continued even though I haven't been posting and that includes my school visits. And I've had some pretty amazing ones! 

This one was so awesome, it deserved it's own post. It happened back in January in New Boston, NH where they had a One Book, One School, One Year read of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon! I can't tell you how much I hearted it. 

The school did so many incredible projects. This one was particularly touching. A teacher actually made the Minli's coat of patches (the one where all the Villagers of Moon Rain each cut a piece of their own sleeve to piece together...and the one Pinmei wears in When the Sea Turned to Silver):

and then each child in her class wore the coat and  wrote about  how they themselves would help someone who was in need:

It makes me get all watery-eyed,  thinking about it...

And there were other amazing projects, too! Much more!  Sometimes I wonder how my middle grade book will work with the younger grades...well, here, it worked beautifully!

The Kindergarten made Minli ABC's:

and observations about Dragon:

as well as illustrated and shared their favorite parts of the book:

The 1st and 2nd graders used the book as an opportunity practice their use of adjectives (as well as make some cool tissue art):

And the 3rd graders thought about their own personal fortunes:

As well as questions for me!

I'm not sure what grade this was but everyone enjoyed studying and sharing their "red thread" connections:

While the older grades mapped out Minli's journey:

and wrote their own Dragon stories:

Event the PTA participated:

Thanks so much to all!