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  • “He’s Just Like Me!” – Why I Write What I Write

    By Beth | September 17, 2018

    First of all, a word of explanation: this is the first post in a new monthly series called This Writer’s Voice. Please note that the series is not about the elusive concept known as “voice” in writing. It’s a series about writing, looking at the hows and whats and whys of writing, both my writing…

  • It’s International Dot Day! — ish

    By Beth | September 10, 2018

    Actually, International Dot Day is actually September 15th-ish, but I figured the 10th was ish-ish enough to celebrate. International Dot Day grew out of Peter H. Reynolds’ wonderful book, THE DOT, which my friend Patricia Tilton reviewed here. If you haven’t read THE DOT, please do, and also read the companion books ISH and SKY…

  • Where to find webinars — a boon for writers

    By Beth | July 2, 2018

    In the first half of this year (how can we be halfway through the year already?) I benefited from several webinars about different aspects of writing. A few were free, a few had a fee, but all were worthwhile. Among them were an Agents Day hosted by SCBWI Wisconsin, a webinar about writing first pages…

  • Picture Book Summit is coming!

    By Beth | June 11, 2018

    Well, not until Fall, but early-bird registration begins on June 14th! What is Picture Book Summit? It’s a fantastic day-long conference for picture book writers, that happens entirely online, so there are no travel or accommodation costs, and you can attend in your jammies if you want. It is hosted by author, editor and educator…

  • The Best Man by Richard Peck (MG)

    By Beth | May 30, 2018

    I need to change this category to Recent Reads, because when I am into a book like this, I don’t want to stop to write a blog post, even a brief one! You may know that author extraordinaire, Richard Peck, died recently — on May 23rd. There is a hole in the kidlit universe since…

  • Celebrating Tony Walton again!

    By Beth | May 29, 2018

    I read an all-too-brief article on Broadway World, with an equally brief — but delightful — video, and I wanted to share them with you (in an equally brief blog post!) Those of you who’ve been following my blog for some time may recall my previous posts about illustrator, costume designer, set designer, director Tony…

  • Time For Something a Little Different

    By Beth | April 30, 2018

    Thank you for sticking with me through this year’s version of alphabetical posts! While it did give me a bit of a focus for each week, rest assured that next blogging year, I will find some other way to focus my posts. I will leave the alphabet to experts like Kermit and Joey. (I just…

  • Fox Magic by Beverley Brenna — Book Recommendation

    By Beth | April 23, 2018

    I have been waiting impatiently to finish my alphabetical blog posts so I could share this book with you. Finally, I’m able to do so! It’s an important new book from my cousin, Beverley Brenna. I hope it will be widely read and taken to heart. Title: Fox Magic Author: Beverley Brenna Publisher: Markham, Ontario,…

  • The Zookeeper’s Wife by Diane Ackerman — Book Recommendation

    By Beth | April 16, 2018

    Title: THE ZOOKEEPER’S WIFE: A WAR STORY Author: Diane Ackerman Publisher: New York, Norton, 2007 Genre: Adult non-fiction Audience Age: Adult Themes/topics: World War II, Poland, Hiding Jews during World War II Opening Sentences: Summer, 1935. At dawn in an outlying district of Warsaw, sunlight swarmed around the trunks of blooming linden trees and crept…

  • The Youngest Marcher by Cynthia Levinson — Book Recommendation

    By Beth | April 9, 2018

    Title: The Youngest Marcher: The Story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, a Young Civil Rights Activist Author: Cynthia Levinson Illustrator: Vanessa Brantley Newton Publisher: New York: Simon & Schuster/Atheneum, 2017 Genre: Picture book, nonfiction/biography Audience Age: 5 to 10 years Themes/topics: Audrey Faye Hendricks, civil rights movement, protest marches, The Children’s March Opening Sentences: Whenever Mike flew…

  • XO, OX by Adam Rex — Book Recommendation

    By Beth | April 2, 2018

    Title: XO OX: A Love Story Author: Adam Rex Illustrator: Scott Campbell Publisher: New York: Roaring Brook Press, 2017 Genre: Picture book, fiction Audience Age: 3 to 8 years Themes/topics: Love, letters, misunderstandings, changes of heart Opening Sentences: Dear Gazelle, For some time now I have wanted to write a letter to say how much I…

  • Whistling in the Dark by Shirley Hughes — Book Recommendation

    By Beth | March 26, 2018

    Title: Whistling in the Dark Author: Shirley Hughes Publisher: Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2015 Genre: Middle Grade fiction Audience Age: 9 to 12 years Themes/topics: World War II in Britain, the Blitz, friendship, earning or losing trust, changing relationships Synopsis: This is the story of Joan, a thirteen-year-old girl growing up in a suburb of…