Every now and then I stumble on news I SHOULD have seen.
Thanks to Ishta Mercurio for sharing and writing a delightful review of Paolo Domeniconi's beautiful cover of my debut picture book --two years ago!!
And thanks to the publisher for negotiating international rights with China!
I found the stories in this book (each chapter tells a different person's story) compelling and thought-provoking. Without access to the people involved or videotapes on the ground, it's never possible to know how much of a nonfiction book is really nonfiction, but this feels authentic and is backed up with information from the editor in a note at the end of the book. I had to pause at points to regain emotional footing to continue reading.
The author, Murong Xuecun (pen name of Hao Qun) fled into exile from China after completing the book.
The chaos, struggles and frame of mind of the people in China during the pandemic is an emotional journey that everyone should read. Our governments and citizens have very different points of view--or sometimes similar points of view but extremely different outcomes. Everyone should read this.
I received an advance copy with no requirement for a review. The review contains my personal opinion.
#bookreview #bookrecommendation #authorlife
February Book Review:
I was fortunate to read an advance copy of The Portfolio Life: Future-Proof your Career and Craft a Life Worthy of You by serial entrepreneur and Harvard lecturer Christina Wallace (Grand Central Publishing, Hachette) that releases April 18, 2023.
The book encompasses common sense encouragement to shed the fear of self-promotion as well as broadening our circles of influence and looking more critically at our hobbies and talents for sources of employment. I share the author's view about what would/should be optimum work-life balance and the joy that arises from pursuing passions with time for rest and relationships. As someone who has transitioned between different careers, the author's view of modern careers as non-linear paths felt authentic. At different points, it struck me that not everyone will have the "safety nets" or networks in place to implement the author's glass-always-half-full suggestions in order to utilize elements of flexibility into their jobs and job searches. Those elements don't arise organically in difficult situations and the advice in this book could be frustrating to some who are already stretched to their max in terms of time and efforts. The author notes this in passing, but I wonder if the struggles are more prevalent than she acknowledges.
I recognized some of the suggestions about tangible, actionable goals from other books, but the reminder is always good and being a visual person I appreciated the use of Venn diagrams and examples in charts, and wish more of that had been incorporated. I found it to be an uplifting and aspirational if not always realistic read.
After twelve power outages this morning (it's only raining here??), I'm chancing a moment to post this.
Even if you don't win a prize, writing contests are a fun way to explore imaginative writing prompts!
If you've been suffering from writer's block, or just want to practice writing to a specific theme or word count--give a writing contest a try. In the #kidlit realm, there are several no-fee gems to try. The Kidlit411 blog has a good list of options.
Today's spooktacular contest is being hosted by the dynamic crew of Lydia Lukidis and Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez and Alyssa Reynoso-Morris. Using picture prompts, the challenge is to write a story, poem, mood piece--whatever strikes your fancy--as long as it's 200 words or less (including any art notes).
Those of you who know me know that if there was a picture with a dog--I was probably going to pick it! Let me know what you think in the comments below!
The picture prompt I chose: Credit: Sarah Pflug for Burst
And--drum roll please--my slightly subversive picture book styled Halloween story:
The Costume Contest Winners - 197 words
Billy wanted to win the pet store prize.
His costume was perfect. [vampire]
But no one would vote for him because his Mom worked in
special effects.
“It’s not fair.”
Billy sulked.
Everyone knew this—except Vance and Wendy. They were new to
town.
[real vampire and witch]
“Need a tissue? Your fangs are bloody,”
Vance whispered.
Billy waved his tube of goo.
“It’s fake?” Vance asked.
“Duh! That’s funny!” Billy poked Vance.
Vance growled.
“Calm down!” Wendy
grabbed Vance’s arm.
“My mom could add sparkles.” Billy tapped Wendy’s hat.
“Don’t touch!” Wendy warned. Her cauldron moaned eerily.
“What’s in there?” Billy reached for Wendy’s pot.
“Don’t reach in!”
Too late.
Poof!
“HEY!” Billy woofed.
“You were carrying a live potion?!” Vance shook his head.
“He wasn’t my first choice, but you wanted a pet.” Wendy
shrugged. “Let’s go.”
“I wanted to pick my own puppy,” Vance’s voice quavered.
“Oooh! Cute doggie!” The other kids crowded around.
Vance and his mini-me pet won best costume!
“You want two dogs, don’t you?” Wendy asked.
Vance smiled.
So Billy won the contest after all, and got a dog to play
with.
“I love Halloween,” said Vance.
Woof! Billy
agreed.
I hope you enjoyed reading! If you want to find more terrific entries, go to Lydia's blog or google #Fallwritingfrenzy!
When I was young, the library was far away and my mom worked and didn't have time to drive me. But the bookmobile came to our neighborhood and I checked out as many books as I could carry!
The books I read were knowledge, but also good friends. So this book recommendation speaks to my heart:
Title: The Library Bus
Author: Bahram Rahman
Illustrator: Gabrielle Grimard
Publisher: Pajama Press (2020)
Themes: Books, Girls, Refugees
What I liked about the book:
I have a personal connection to bookmobiles and the author's own connection deepened my appreciation for the book. The author grew up in Afghanistan--where the story is set--and wrote the story to tell children about the struggles of girls, like his sister, who were forbidden to go to school. While things improved in this region for a short period of time, now the restrictions have returned and the book is more relevant than ever. Warm illustrations depict the happiness, and leave the struggle for later discussion. The Library Bus is a love letter to literacy for all.
A Teaching Guide for The Library Bus can be downloaded from the publisher's website.
If your area has a bookmobile--go see it! How does the selection compare to the library's?
Meet the author:
Author's interview about equality, literacy and collective memory.
The author has a new book released Nov 2021 : SKY BLUE BENCH which I haven't read yet.
This review is part of Perfect Picture Book Friday where author Susanna Leonard Hill curates a selection of recommended books for kids for parents, teachers, writers, librarians and gift-givers.
In researching comparative titles for a new manuscript I wrote, I came across Lori Nichols books about Maple & Willow. The two sisters relationship rang true and it's a two thumbs up book!
(Aside from having two sisters, the story is *phew!* nothing like what I've been working on)
Title: Maple & Willow Together
Author/Illustrator: Lori Nichols
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books (PYRG)
Year: 2014
Themes: Siblings, disagreements
Sibling dynamics are unlike any other friendships. It makes it both easier and harder to love each other at times! My sisters and I certainly had our moments of both.
The Teaching Resources website and writer Joanna Marple's website have activities to accompany the book.
This series began with just Maple, and now Maple and her sibling Willow have a whole series I somehow missed. I will be at the library looking for the others later today!
This review is part of Perfect Picture Book Friday where author Susanna Leonard Hill curates a selection of recommended books for kids for parents, teachers, writers, librarians and gift-givers.
Where’s Mom?
by Wendy Greenley
(49 words)
Empty bed
Gravel crunches
Where’s Mom?
Lights on
Packed lunches
Where’s Mom?
Toothbrushes
Hand-me-down clothes
Where’s Mom?
Radiator rumbles
Toasty toes
Where’s Mom?
Library books
Tree daydreams
Next door friends
Future schemes
Where’s Mom?
Gravel crunches
Packed lunches
Hand-me-down clothes
Toasty toes
Daydreams
Future schemes
Feel Mom everywhere.
Thanks to Vivian for the inspiration and thanks everyone for reading!
