What a delightful Saturday afternoon I spent on September 15 at the Kirkwood Public Library. Alexis O’Neill, author of THE RECESS QUEEN, LOUD EMILY, and ESTELA’S SWAP, was there to share some “kitz and kajammer” fun with everyone–young and old. By the end of the presentation, kids in the audience had jumped and danced and yelled. What kid (of eager viewer like me) wouldn’t love being part of such a lively author visit.

Do yourself a favor and open up at least one of Alexis O’Neill’s endearing picture books.

http://www.amazon.com/Recess-Queen-Alexis-Oneill/dp/0439206375/ref=sr_1_7/104-4835446-3307955?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1190211044&sr=1-7

http://www.amazon.com/Loud-Emily-Alexis-ONeill/dp/068984669X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-4835446-3307955?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1190211044&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Estelas-Swap-Alexis-ONeill/dp/1600602533/ref=sr_1_2/104-4835446-3307955?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1190211044&sr=1-2

Here’s a chance for you to win prizes by voting for a winning story written by my writer friend, Mayra Calvani. Please take this opportunity to read her touching tale and vote for MAYRA. You very well may walk away a winner, too!

Vote for THE DOLL VIOLINIST and Win Prizes!

Mayra Calvani’s story, THE DOLL VIOLINIST, is a finalist at the ABC’s Children’s Picture Book Competition!

What makes this competition different is that while the finalists are chosen by judges, the winner is chosen by online public vote. In other words, YOU the reader, get to choose the winner—that lucky author who will walk away with a publishing contract!

The Doll Violinist is a heart-warming Christmas tale set in Victorian Europe and features illustrations by talented artist Amy Moreno.

To view the finalists in the competition and vote for Mayra’s story, please visit the competition website at http://www.ABCbookcompetition.org . The two week voting period starts September 16, 2007 and will continue through midnight September 30, 2007. The winning author / illustrator team will be announced October 8, 2007.

People who vote for The Doll Violinist will be automatically entered in a drawing and prizes will be as follows:

1st Prize: An enchanting antique doll in Brussels lace
2nd Prize: $50 Amazon gift certificate
3rd Prize: Beautiful zirconium & sterling silver ring (size 8)
4th Prize: A print copy of Mayra’s latest paranormal thriller, DARK LULLABY
5th Prize: A print copy of ANGEL IN A BUBBLE (children’s picture book)

All you need to do is vote for THE DOLL VIOLINIST, then send a message to mayra.calvani@gmail.com and write ‘You got my vote’ on the subject line. You must send a message in order to enter the drawing, so please don’t forget! The winners will be announced on Mayra’s Secret Bookcase (http://mayrassecretbookcase.blogspot.com) on October 1st, 2007.

Support Mayra Calvani and help her walk away with that publishing contract!
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Time for another list of things I’m thankful for:

• fun times at the Cardinals’ game with my son Matt and his friends (the Cards even won!)
• fun times at the Rams’ opening game with my son Dan, daughter-in-law Megan and her parents (even if the Rams lost)
• cooler weather hinting that fall is nearly here
• finishing the first draft of a new middle grade novel
• blooms on my lilac bush in September!
• visiting with old friends and meeting new ones at Cornerstone
• my husband Rob who makes me laugh
• my mom who celebrated her birthday yesterday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!)

Star Light, Star Bright
Which star will I see first tonight?
Wish I may. Wish I might
Have the wish I wish tonight.

If you are a star gazer or a star wisher, you will love PBS’ new website called SEEING IN THE DARK highlighting a film by Timothy Ferris. The documentary airs at various times this month on PBS. Check the website for the broadcast schedule in your area.

http://www.pbs.org/seeinginthedark/index.html

But as interesting as the film sounds, the website itself is vastly entertaining. Truly out-of-this-world with astrological information and digital star charts. You can see exactly what the stars will look like tonight in your backyard. Or you can even discover which star began sending its light to earth the same year you were born. Plus, the site contains resources for teachers and families and star shots which will transport you to galaxies far, far away.

I have a poem to be published by HIGHLIGHTS magazine called, “Reaching for the Stars.” Truly, this new website seems to bring them easily within reach.

Writing can be lonely. It’s just the forlorn writer and the paper (ok, so probably computer, but I’m trying to sound poetic here.)

Anyway… everyday the solitary writer faces the page all alone. Battling writer’s block. Overcoming obstinate characters. Tackling yet another revision.

How do I cope with such overwhelming problems all by myself?

I don’t. I have a support staff!
Two long-time staff cats, Herman & Henry, and an apprentice dog, Holly

Herman, as you can see from the photo, takes notes at our latest office meeting where we discuss a new middle grade novel already in the works. He’s done his research and thinks we need to add at least one cat to the story and probably catnip as well for extra spice.

Holly and Henry brainstorm ideas for beefing up the tension in the plot. Holly suggests adding a territorial German Shepherd and a lost Siberian Husky who stir up old rivalries.
Henry wants a family of mice on a quest for cheese which leads them deep inside a renegade kitty lair.

I consult my story outline and see that we have wandered rather drastically from the original plot. I propose we adjourn for a break. Henry suggests snack time. Holly seconds and Herman is already leading them to the pantry.
So as you can see, with help like this, my job is never lonely.

So said a tongue-in-cheek Richard Michelson as he began his reflective presentation on writing across racial lines. Several of his books (including his upcoming AS GOOD AS ANYBODY) present black characters and viewpoints. The links below are examples of two of his essays which deal with this issue.

STOMPING AT THE SAVOY
Writing Across Racial Lines
http://www.nextbook.org/cultural/feature.html?id=299
Nextbook/4.26.06

FROM COLD FEET TO HAPPY FEET
http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6393026.html?display=current&industry=Soapbox&verticalid=792
Pulbishers Weekly/11.20.06

Mr. Michelson also treated us to excerpts from his picture books HAPPY FEET, ACROSS THE ALLEY, and TOO YOUNG FOR YIDDISH. He answered numerous questions about editors, illustrators, and book research as well as shared some of his life story with us. I felt very lucky to have been a part of this wonderful evening presentation by such a reknowned author and poet.

If you ever have the chance to attend an event featuring Mr. Michelson, I suggest you go. On my own sole-ful speaker scale, I give him a 10–all ten toes-tapping and both feet can’t keep still. (And that’s excellent–because I can dance, sort of.)

Anastasia Suen’s Picture Book of the Day blog [http://picturebookoftheday.blogspot.com/]is a great place to study the variety of children’s picture books in print. Each day a different book is featured as an example of 6 writing traits, organization, voice, conventions, word choice, ideas, sentence fluency. Here’s a link explaining these 6 writing traits in more detail: http://www.kent.k12.wa.us/staff/LindaJancola/6Trait/what.htm

What picture book am I reading today? GRANDPA’S GAMBLE by Richard Michelson/ illustrated by Barry Moser. In it a Jewish grandfather reveals the touching story of his past to his grandchildren. This book has an interesting voice, told through the eyes of the grandson–who at first belittles his grandfather until he comes to understand what has made his grandfather the prayerful man he is.

ACROSS THE ALLEY and HAPPY FEET: THE SAVOY BALLROOM LINDY HOPPERS AND ME are two other picture books by Richard Michelson that I enjoyed. He has others as well. Hope you are able to read some of them.

And tomorrow I hope to attend a reading by Richard Michelson. Tune back in for an update.

Fresh off the Presses!

Special Website Updates just in time for the start of a new school year.

KIDS, look for Super Smoothies — a cool recipe for snacking https://www.cynthiareeg.com/kids/smoothy.html

Recycling Reading — a list that will lead you to the Green https://www.cynthiareeg.com/kids/recycle_read.html

Paper Bag Book Cover — a fun way to recycle and care for books
https://www.cynthiareeg.com/kids/paperbag.html

PARENTS & TEACHERS, look for Green Schools — learn how to have Zero waste in schools
https://www.cynthiareeg.com/teachers/green.html

Plus, new ordering information for both KITTY KERPLUNKING AND GIFTS FROM GOD https://www.cynthiareeg.com/writings/books.html

Stop in for a visit!