Painting With Words

"I love language. Language is phenomenal. I have always been fascinated that one word can mean many different things. I love the challenge of painting a story in as few words as possible."
—Nikki Grimes*

Heron over Strasbourg Cathedral bookplate,
courtesy Ex Libris

*Via The Little Crooked Cottage

Choosing the Right Words

"A book is a wonderful present. Though it may grow worn, it will never grow old."

-Jane Yolen*

Courtesy Bookplate Ink

*via SCBWI Tumbler

Marcie's Food Fight

In honor of World Read Aloud Day, Marcie Colleen is hosting a food fight.
Pick up your badge at her blog, The Write Routine, and spread the word.

Food Fight badge illustrated by Julie Rowan-Zoch

If you decide to participate, I'd love to know about it.  See you in the cafeteria!

A Book I Have Not Read

"My best friend is a person who will give me a book I have not read."

-Abraham Lincoln

Courtesy Stowe Vintage

Sparking An Undying Glow

"No one can possibly tell what tiny detail of a drawing or what seemingly trivial phrase in a story will be the spark that sets off a great flash in the mind of some child, a flash that will leave a glow there until the day he dies."


-Robert Lawson

Design courtesy Bloomfield & Rolfe

Life Without Books

"I cannot imagine life without books any more than I can imagine life without breathing."


-Terry Brooks

Art courtesy Sue Woollatt

Reading Good Books

"The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them."


-Mark Twain

Bookplate by Celia Levetus

A Useless Book

"What is the use of a book without pictures or conversations?"


-Lewis Carroll

Courtesy The Little Chickadee

All Things Bookish

I am adding a poll today.  I would like to know what you as the readers find interesting or valuable in this blog.  Please take a moment to cast your vote.  I will continue to publish posts on all aspects of children's books and publishing, but I would be happy to feature items which you, the readers, find interesting.  If there are any of you out there . . .?
Thanks for your time.  As always. I love hearing from you.

Writing Letters by Kecky 
AKA Kristin Kemper on Etsy

Resurrection Day

"And one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto Him, Art thou a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? . . . Concerning Jesus of Nazareth . . . how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and have crucified Him.  But we trusted that it had been He which should have redeemed Israel:  and beside all this today is the third day since these things were done. . . . and certain women also . . . said that He was alive. . . The Lord is risen indeed."

-Luke 24:18-34

Picture Book Essentials

If you are interested in writing for children, there are many good resources available.
I highly recommend you join a group, like SCBWI, whose goal is to build a network between people in the industry.
I suggest you read, read, read.  The more children's books you read, the better your intuition will be.
And I suggest you avail yourself of the experience of other writers and editors.


My favorite how-to for writing children's books is by Jean Karl.  Her book, How to Write and Sell Children's Picture Books, has done more to shape my writing than any other book on the subject.  She breaks down the categories within the field and gives pitfalls to avoid.  Her keen editorial mind zeroes in on the essence of a good picture book.  Best of all, Jean Karl is inspiring.  She make writing and publication seem plausible.  She makes the possibilities seem limitless.  I never fail to read through her text without acquiring a half dozen new ideas.



So what are you waiting for?  Grab a notebook and start writing.  Then head to your nearest library (and bring a BIG bag.)

Lloyd Alexander's Legacy

"Books can truly change our lives: The lives of those who read them, the lives of those who write them.  Readers and writers alike discover things they never knew about the world and about themselves."

—Lloyd Alexander

Courtesy ExLibris Studio

Lots of Books

"We were very, very lucky.  We were bought lots of books."
-J. K. Rowling

Courtesy The Vintage Moth
Thanks to Pastiche of Squidoo for sharing

Read Aloud Day

LitWorld
Using the power of story to cultivate literacy

How will you celebrate?

Pleasant Words

"Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones."
-Proverbs 16:24

Bookplate courtesy Ruby Victoria