Just Want to Say
Beth’s Faves — Top Picture Books I’ve Read This Year
At the beginning of 2018, I had the intention of reading one picture book every morning throughout the year. I did well for the first half of the year, then not so well the second half – but I’ve still read a LOT more picture books than I would have otherwise, and many of them…
Read MoreThe Value of Courses, Challenges, and Community for Writers
Most of us cannot get where we want to be on our own. We need to learn from others, to be challenged by others, and to be supported and encouraged by others. The same is true for writing. At first, I was too nervous to share my writing (except my hymn texts) with anyone but…
Read MoreWhere to find webinars — a boon for writers
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…
Read MoreCelebrating Tony Walton again!
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…
Read MoreTime For Something a Little Different
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…
Read MoreWhistling in the Dark by Shirley Hughes — Book Recommendation
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…
Read MoreOkay For Now by Gary Schmidt — Reprise Book Recommendation
This was first posted on June 4, 2015. I hope you enjoy revisiting this book! If you haven’t already read it, I urge you to do so. Title: Okay for Now Author: Gary D. Schmidt Publisher: New York: Sandpiper, 2011, 2013. Genre: Late Middle Grade, early YA Audience Age: 11 to 14 years old Themes/topics:…
Read MoreHappy ManyDays to you all!
The alphabetical posts will resume in the new year. Today, I wanted to simply wish you all happy holidays, whatever you happen to celebrate (or not celebrate). My penguin suggests that stars are a good thing to celebrate! There are so many celebrations at this time of year: Hanukkah, Solstice, Christmas, and Kwanzaa, just to…
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