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We Shall Overcome…
When I was growing up, I didn’t have many records to listen to, but those I had I listened to over and over again. I can honestly say they helped shape the person I am today, my likes and dislikes, and more significantly, my beliefs and the mores by which I live. One such record…
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Ballerina Dreams — Perfect Picture Book Friday
Title: Ballerina Dreams Author: Lauren Thompson Photographer: James Estrin Publisher: New York, Feiwel and Friends, 2007. Genre: Picture book, nonfiction
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The Art Room — Perfect Picture Book Friday
Title: The Art Room Author: Susan Vande Griek Illustrator: Pascal Milelli Publisher: Toronto: Douglas & McIntyre, 2002 Genre: Picture book, historical fiction
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Happy Birthday, Erik!
NOTE: If you have arrived in the middle of the adventure, you may start at the beginning by going HERE Ask the court jester. Erik raced down the palace corridors, searching for the jester. Waves of laughter led him to the Castle Courtyard. “Jester!” Erik yelled. “I need your help!” With five cartwheels,…
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Traditions Old, Traditions New, Traditions Treasured…
(Note: there is no Perfect Picture Book post today. Instead, if you go over to Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog, you will find the finalists for her holiday story contest, and you will be able to cast your vote for your favorite story.) This time of year, usually referred to under the umbrella title of “The…
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Susanna Leonard Hill’s Pretty Much World Famous 2nd Annual Holiday Writing Contest
Every now and then, much to her readers’ delight, Susanna Leonard Hill holds a writing contest on her blog. The entries are always a joy to read, and the prizes are pretty much amazing (this time it’s picture book manuscript critiques!). This is the first time I’ve entered one of these contests… and I want…
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With gratitude to a teacher and mentor
“Bonjour, mes amis!” Those were the words that greeted our Grade Seven classroom that early September day in 1968 when Monsieur Pugh strode into our first French class. Little did I know, the first time I encountered the sandy-haired recent arrival from England that he would have an impact on my life that continues to…
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Hope is an Open Heart — Perfect Picture Book Friday
This is a special Perfect Picture Book Friday. Quoting from Susanna Leonard Hill’s PPBF post last week, since “Friday, December 14 is the anniversary of the date in 1954 that the UN General Assembly recommended there should be a Universal Children’s Day, we are going to be doing our part to raise awareness of the…
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The Brain of a Small Jedi, or May the Force Be With You, Renn…
Some months ago I shared about a brave little boy as he headed into hospital for a five-day video EEG. We’ve since learned that what Renn is dealing with is Complex Partial Epilepsy. Life has been a roller-coaster of ups and downs, hoping he can adjust to medication, watching as seizure after seizure makes life…
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12 x 12 in 2012 on 12/12/12 — an End of Year Celebration!
Picture book manuscripts galore! Picture book manuscripts as far as the eye can see. When I signed up for 12×12 in 2012, hoping to write 12 picture book first drafts in 12 months, I really had no idea if I’d be able to do it. It seemed unbelievable to write that many unique drafts, while…
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Some 12s and 56s, and much gratitude…
I still remember the delight I felt on my 12th birthday — not because I was turning 12, although that sounds so much more grown up than 11. It was because I was turning 12 on the 12th day of the 12th month. That alignment of numbers seemed to make the day more special somehow…
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Happy Birthday to You! — Perfect Picture Book Friday
Title: Happy Birthday to You! Author/Illustrator: Dr. Seuss Publisher: New York: Random House, 1959, 1987. Genre: Picture book, fiction/fantasy Audience Age: 3 to 8 years