I think every month should be gratitude month. I love what Chesterton said… “Gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” (That’s the sort of math I am really especially fond of!) We pulled together a great roundup of books to help you celebrate the month of November, including some Thanksgiving picks plus a couple of mine… Read more »
Posts Tagged: Picture books
Ten First Books for Babies
Looking for high quality first books that babies and toddlers (and parents too!) will truly love? Here are ten tried and true favorites. All board books because– well, you know what babies are capable of when it comes to paper pages. Any to add? Put them in the comments below! Ten Wonderful First Books for… Read more »
Happy Dr Seuss Day! And here are 10 great Seuss quotes
Happy Read Across America Day! I for one will be staying in my pajamas and reading all day long (I have to– I’ve already taken the pledge). And how fitting to celebrate Read Across America Day on the birthday of Theodor Seuss Geisel– the one and only Dr. Seuss! If you follow me on Twitter… Read more »
is it spring yet?
For when winter is feeling long… or a winter in your life is. For when hope is hidden… and spring is nowhere to be seen. A message for you! Below the snow Hidden in every root, Inside every bud, In every seed, A secret is stirring… The lost flowers are only hidden, not gone! And… Read more »
a sweet Father’s Day gift idea…
So I have an idea, and a story, and a coupon for you…just in time for Father’s Day. Did you know Father’s Day is coming? Did you know fathers love presents? Do you know the best gift for a dad or grand-dad of little ones? A picture book–which isn’t just a book of course, it’s… Read more »
Where stories come from
Where do stories come from? Does the writer invent them? Or discover them? I’m certain it’s the latter. As least if they are living stories, true stories. (True–whether or not they are factual.) It was that blog from a couple of weeks ago that got me thinking about the promise that God will supply all… Read more »
Coloring Poor Doreen
Have you ever seen a fish carrying an umbrella? How about a fish wearing a headscarf? Poor Doreen wasn’t even supposed to be in my book. She just arrived without me inviting her. And took over. (I got the idea for the book when I was out running.) The book I wanted to write was… Read more »
Picture Books, Theater and the Turn of the Page
A good picture book is like theater. You’re probably familiar with The Caldecott Medal (awarded annually to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children). But who is this Caldecott exactly? Beatrix Potter called him, “one of the greatest illustrators of all.” Maurice Sendak credited him with inventing the modern picture book…. Read more »
Simple isn’t simple
Ballet dancers make floating in the air look easy. They make balancing en pointe look effortless. How do they do that? Only because of the hours of training and torture they have put their bodies through. Only through sacrifice and suffering. Behind all that ease, lies hard work. Maybe tears. Certainly pain. Mastery is making… Read more »
Picture books and Pantomime
Pantomime is a participatory form of theater. (Apologies if you are British and I might just as well be explaining to you what tea is.) Pantomime requires your participation for it to work. The audience is expected to sing along with certain parts of the music and shout out phrases to the performers. (Help! Are… Read more »