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Hey, Big Apple!

I am coming to New York City!!

On Sunday, March 20 at 4pm, I’ll be speaking at Symphony Space.

I am VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS!!!!!! (so excited, I find myself pounding the caps lock and spitting out exclamation marks!!!!!!!!!)

It gets better.

I will be chatting with the One, the Only, Maureen Johnson, who is a great writer and quite possibly the funniest woman in the world.

This is a ticketed event, so you’ll want to buy your tickets as soon as possible. Bring your book club. Bring your mom. Dad. Bring the whole family!!!

And also….

Please bring some ibufrofen and bags of ice. And a few bananas. I wouldn’t mind a bagel, either.

WHY?

Because that morning I will be running (i.e. shuffling with great purpose) the New York City Half-Marathon. So, no, I will not be demonstrating any tap dancing routines at Symphony Space. But come anyway. We’re going to have a blast.

 

 

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Catalyst videos!

It is such an honor and so much fun to watch videos based on my books! Here are two based on Catalyst.

(Why are we thinking about Catalyst right now? It’s anxiety time for high school seniors trying to figure out their paths to college. I send all of you big hugs and virtual cups of chamomile tea.)

 

 

 

 

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Staying warm and inspired

We take the phrase “Christmas season” literally here in the Forest. The decorations are finally coming down today. In a lame attempt at our defense, we had Christmas visitors until last Sunday.

The snow is deep, the wood is dry, the dogs are cuddly. Much of life now is hunkering down for serious reading and writing.

Like oldest daughter Stef is doing here.

 

 

 

 

 

People have begun to order sweatshirts from the Mad Woman in the Forest Store. These sweatshirts keep you warm AND have magic threads of inspiration woven into them. Don’t believe me?

 

We sent a sweatshirt to aspiring author and musician Rebecca (seen above) in the UK and she credits it with helping her compose the original song she’s playing in this video. (I do love this song, don’t you?)

What am I doing to stay inspired? Reading poetry. Swimming (indoor pool, thank you). Running. Free-writing.

What are you doing to stay inspired this winter?

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Congratulations!!

Congratulations to all of the winners of the American Library Awards announced yesterday!

Moon over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool won the Newbery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Sick Day for Amos McGee, illustrated by Erin E. Stead, written by Philip C. Stead won the Caldecott

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Dreamer, written by Pam Muñoz Ryan, won the Pura Belpré Author Award. (Yay Pam!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grandma’s Gift, written and illustrated by Eric Velasquez, won the Pura Belpré Illustrator Award.

 

 

 

 

 

 

One Crazy Summer, by Rita Williams-Garcia won the Coretta Scott King Author Award. (Yay Rita!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave, illustrated by Bryan Collier and written by Laban Carrick Hill won the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award.

 

 

 

 

The Printz Award went to Ship Breaker, by Paolo Bacigalupi.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jonathan Hunt has posted a list of all of the award winners (including Honor books!) at his SLJ blog. Go forth, enjoy, and read.