Home invasion and abduction

I'm working on a new book right now. Rainbow Stew (to be published by Lee & Low Books) won't be out until next year, but the artwork must be done by June. Many of the scenes take place in a kitchen, and I was having trouble configuring three kids and their Grandpa into various views of the interior. A smarter person would have used her very own kitchen in the first place, but since I didn't, it became increasingly more difficult to visualize everything in the correct location. So....I built a model: a doll kitchen, if you will, with cut-up cracker and cereal boxes. Worked like a charm. That is, until the invasion...

After trashing the doll kitchen, Freida and Suzie (captured in the act, above) continued their diabolical plan. They are holding the youngest child hostage until I pay off with Fancy Feast.

Ah, the trials and tribulations of a children's book maker....

Willie, Tillie and Dillie

My grandmother and her two sisters, identical triplets, were born 115 years ago today in the Ozarks in St. Clair, Missouri. There's more about them in a post I wrote three years ago here.

My grandmother didn't have an easy life, but she was strong, kind, funny and kept an open mind about the changing world. Happy Birthday, Grandma.

Band Wagon

I don't usually run with the crowd, so to speak, but some of these are just so clever. This one really tells my story, so I decided to post it.

A shout out to Karma Wilson whose writer version I altered. There's even a site where you can make your own, here.

Happy Valentine's Day

I had a very long list of things to do today: laundry, cleaning, washing floors.... but then I found some red and pink paper, a pair of scissors, and some glue. MUCH more fun than chores!

These will go to some sweet little friends of mine tomorrow. Happy Valentine's Day.

Snippets

Happy New Year!

A friend of mine said I need to post more often. I told him nobody reads this anyway. If you're willing, please respond---it can just be an "X"!---so I can see if I'm right! Thank you.

Holiday Greetings

May the new year bring you unexpected joy!

Fan Mail

I just LOVE getting letters and pictures from young readers! This splendid drawing arrived in my mailbox today from a child named Maddie in Massachusetts. Her grandparents sent her Gobble, Gobble. In her note, Maddie, who is 7, said she thinks it's a "100% Awesome Book!"

Thanks, Maddie!