Today, in 1840 — 175 years ago! — the first ever postage stamp was born in Great Britain. Before then it was awful because the person getting the letter had to pay–upon delivery. Rates were high and never the same and very confusing–so, not surprisingly people often refused to pay. But a teacher saved the… Read more »
Happy birthday, Ludwig Bemelmans!
Happy (117th!) birthday to Madeline author and illustrator Ludwig Bemelmans!
Sticky Tape — Simon’s Cat video
It’s Cat Monday! Once again! Oh Hooray! (Last year, I found this fantastic series of small cat videos that are funny and they will make you laugh. Even on a Monday.) And so, because I’m nice like that, I’ve been posting every single one I can get my hands on. And there are LOADS hooray!… Read more »
Springtime — Simon’s Cat video
It’s Cat Monday! Once again! Oh Hooray! (Back in June last year, I found this fantastic series of small cat videos that are funny and they will make you laugh. Even on a Monday.) And so, because I’m nice like that, I’ve been posting every single one I can get my hands on. And there… Read more »
Vonnegut’s Creative Writing 101
Don’t know about you but I’m always on the look out for the perfect special notebook, pencil, or pen that will help my writing. Here are 8 helpful tips from Kurt Vonnegut on writing that are probably all you need to know: 1/ Use the time of a total stranger in such a way that… Read more »
Billy Collins on poetry, obscurity and not being difficult enough
“I have spoken a lot about wilful obscurity in poetry – where the poet is hiding behind language, using it as camouflage – and I don’t have much tolerance for that kind of poetry,” Billy Collins It’s why I love Billy Collins. In writing picture books you can be generous or self-indulgent. If you’re showing… Read more »
Happy St David’s Day!
It’s St David’s Day. So you all know what that means! No? You don’t? He’s the Patron Saint of Wales (the land of my Fathers) and his feast day is today. This means you must wear daffodils (or leeks) (I’d go with daffodils but that’s just me) on your lapel, fly the flag (yellow cross… Read more »
Following Clues with Jane Dyer
With many picture book projects, the author and illustrator never meet — or even communicate with each other. And that was how it was with THE HOUSE THAT’S YOUR HOME. I didn’t share any notes with Jane about what I’d had in mind as I wrote. Jane was sent the text and then it was… Read more »
The front door of a book
I learned early on, as a picture book writer, that the illustration is like the front door of the book. If the illustration isn’t right, then no one will even pick up the book (let alone read your text). Without the illustration, my text would not stand a chance. So you can imagine how grateful… Read more »
Smitten — Simon’s Cat (Valentine) video
It’s Cat Saturday! (Well it used to be Cat Monday but today is Saturday so it’s Cat Saturday.) (Back in June, I found this fantastic series of small cat videos and so, because I’m nice like that, I posted almost every single one I could get my hands on. And there were LOADS hooray! this… Read more »