Grateful
Small joys for a writer in the big city. And some fun book news.
New York City is big, bustling, chaotic AND it’s filled with so many possibilities for joy and connection.
Here’s my gratitude list for this city of my heart:
Independent bookstores that smell like paper, ink and hope.
Cozy cafes with wi-fi and the perfect amount of ambient noise.
A public library right around the corner, filled to the brim with words.
Subway rides for traffic-free commutes and brainstorming moments.
Museums, off the beaten path, that inspire wonder…and stories!
The corner store for the much-needed late-night ice cream.
Miles of rambling trails (the parks!) and concrete sidewalks (Manhattan!) to clear out the cobwebs.
A city soundtrack that gets creative juices flowing.
Writer friends and Sunday brunches - a perfect combo.
What has you feeling grateful? Let me know!
In fun book news, Alexandra Cook and I are launching our book together at Books of Wonder. It’s my 9th book out in the world, whaaaaat?! But my first time launching with my collaborator. SO exciting!
This project began very differently from all my other books - with an illustration Alexandra created that was inspired by a photograph her mom Emily Cook, a nature photographer, took during one of her trips to the Arctic.
That first spark started a journey that led to this book with MacKidsBooks. And what a journey it’s been!
To get the full deets of how this story came to be, please join Alex and I for our launch party. RSVP here - we hope you’ll join us to celebrate.
Of course, there’ll be crafts (Northern Lights anyone?), an art demo, some yummies and a rollicking good time.
Horn Book says our book is filled with “vivid text and dreamy art…a blend of soothing and informative, a book that will work for bedtime as much as it will for sparking curiosity and further learning.”
Kirkus calls it “A tender look at the bond between parent and child—and the natural beauty of the Arctic.”
Episode 8 of In the Picture featuring Gordon C. James is now available for your listening pleasure on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Gordon is the award-winning illustrator of I Am Every Good Thing and Crown: Ode to the Fresh Cut (both by Derrick Barnes) as well as a number of other beautiful books. Gordon is proof that hard work and dedication to your craft will get you places! Take a listen and let me know if you enjoyed our conversation.
If you’re looking for gifts for the holidays (or for any other reason), the December issue of Uplift Kidlit has some lovely book/gift pairings - or check out our Insta reel for the same!
And there’s a new bookstore in town! Words on Warren was started by my former student’s mom and is already making waves in NYC. Stop by and support this woman-owned independent book store!
If you have read my books and like them, do take a minute to review them on Amazon and/or request them for your local public library or school library. Authors need all the help they can get to spread the word and that Amazon algorithm needs the reviews to make us pop up on searches!
Want me to visit your school, library, museum, or festival? Contact me.
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Are kids allowed to come to the book launch?
I'm grateful for picture books and the community of talented creatives who make them. Wishing you and yours a peaceful and loving holiday season.