I haven’t posted about book purchases for a while. Below are some of the books I’ve recently added to my library’s children’s collection. These selections caught my eye, either by fabulous reviews, popular subject matter, beautiful illustrations, or all three. I wish I had time to read and review them all on the spot, but I’ll get there… Read more »
Children’s Books
Spirit Animal Blog Award
Many thanks to Jennie! I am humbled and grateful to be chosen for this honor by an exceptional blogger and I apologize for taking so long to announce the award. I often say Jennie’s students are very fortunate to have her in their court. She’s a thoughtful, passionate preschool teacher and you can check out her posts for yourself over… Read more »
Paper Dolls!
Any fellow paper doll fans out there? I’ve loved paper dolls ever since I was old enough to work with scissors. I sometimes made my own dolls and clothes with the help of the Sears catalog. One store-bought television inspired collection I remember owning years ago was Petticoat Junction. A more recent series includes a classic Shirley… Read more »
Picture Book Boot Camp
I’m back after an amazing adventure! Attending Picture Book Boot Camp this past week was a high point in my decades-long interest in creating books for children. Picture Book Boot Camp translates to spending four fun, inspiration-filled days at Phoenix Farm in western Massachusetts with a prolific group of authors, led by literary luminary Jane… Read more »
Beatrix and Peter
Something about this time of year always makes me ponder rabbits. So, who better to feature than the creator of Peter Rabbit. Beatrix Potter was born on July 28, 1866 and died on December 22, 1943. Young Beatrix spent many hours sketching her beloved animals. She and her younger brother Bertram explored the countryside in… Read more »
New Library Books
Librarians are often asked how they choose books for their collections. I’d like to share some of the beautiful new children’s books I’ve recently acquired for my library. Unlike many public libraries, our fiscal year begins in January, rather than July to June, so lots of new purchases are coming in (although fortunately for our town, the flow… Read more »
Every Four Years…
Today’s another special day in my family—Leap Year! And my son gets to celebrate his birthday on an actual calendar day again this year. I always thought it was kind of fun for him to be born on such a unique day, and of course someone as special as him (pictures below) certainly deserved an… Read more »
Vintage Sewing Comeback
Like my character Amy (tween novels: Call Me Amy and Amy’s Choice) when I was growing up, us girls took home economics while the boys took ‘shop’ (woodworking, auto mechanics, etc.). It may seem old-fashioned now to split up the boys and girls, and even did so at the time, since I would have loved… Read more »
Orchard House & Little Women
Are you one of the more than 50,000 visitors who arrive at Orchard House in Concord, Massachusetts each year? This is the very house where Louisa May Alcott penned Little Women. The Alcott family moved there in 1858. Although healthy for many reasons, it’s become almost a fad to minimize, downsize, and unclutter, but I’m sure I’m… Read more »
Lighthouse Love
For centuries, people around the world have been fascinated by lighthouses. They can be found on dangerous coastlines, islands, and harbors. Before their existence, people lit fires along the shore to guide sailors. One of the very first (and tallest) lighthouses was built in Egypt around 280 BC. The first in America was built in… Read more »
