Haiku Review: Mr. Willoughby’s Christmas Tree by Robert Barry Christmas time machine, This book is just the right size. I am 5 again. Merry Everything, Everyone!
Monthly Archives: December 2007
“I’ve got a golden ticket…”
December 20, 2007 – 7:28 pm
So, I’m going to see The Golden Compass tomorrow. I’m pretty excited, and not just because Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy is amazing. Tony worked on the movie and his name’s in the credits. Hooray! If you go see the movie, keep an eye out for the wolves in Bolvangar. And stay long enough [...]
Books of the Week: Illustrators
December 17, 2007 – 10:15 am
I’m constantly delighted by the illustrations in the picture books I’ve been reading. Here are a few illustrators that have really captured my imagination. Dan Yaccarino (Every Friday, Trashy Town) Mark Teague (How do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight, The Secret Shortcut) David Shannon (No, David, Duck on a Bike) Steve Jenkins (Move, Actual Size) David Wiesner [...]
Hook, Line, and Sinker
December 12, 2007 – 11:15 am
I once caught a book contract that was THIS big… but it got away. The Westside Schmooze topic this month is all about beginnings and hooks. To be exact: “Are You Hooked Yet? How can you use your first pages, first lines, and queries to hook readers and editors? Join us as we try to [...]
Words VS Pictures
December 10, 2007 – 1:08 pm
My friend, Tonilyn, asked me the other day if I thought illustrations and text were a 50/50 partnership in picture books. Hmmm…. lets find out. Fight! Illustrations can make or break a picture book. You cannot have a great book without great pictures. Mediocre Text + Fantastic Pictures= Good Book Fantastic Text + Mediocre Pictures= [...]
Books of the Week: Did I mention…
December 7, 2007 – 12:52 pm
My Little Sister Ate One Hare written by Bill Grossman and illustrated by Kevin Hawkes Maggie and the Monster written by Elizabeth Winthrop and illustrated by Tomie dePaola The OK Book written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld Chickens to the Rescue by John Himmelman Bark, George by Jules Feiffer Click,Clack,Moo: Cows [...]
“I’m drivin’ on sunshine. Oooo-ooo.”
December 5, 2007 – 7:39 pm
Biodiesel. The great misunderstood nectar. A year and a half ago, Tony and I bought a 2003 Jetta Volkswagon so that we could run biodiesel. Luckily, in Califonia there are quite a few gas stations that sell B99. We’ve been running the car almost completely on biodiesel since, with the occasional emergency diesel fill-up. It’s [...]
Let’s put the dishes in the dishwasher!
December 3, 2007 – 8:25 pm
***** Ewwww! Slimy. Grimy. Oooey. Gooey. Sink stacked full. Think I’ll get take-out. *****
