Posts by Beth
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…
Read MoreSusanna 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…
Read MoreWith 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…
Read MoreHope 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…
Read MoreThe 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…
Read More12 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…
Read MoreSome 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…
Read MoreHappy 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
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