BookLust

Baa

Of course, I don’t just think about rhinos. I think about sheep, too. ‘Cuz I’m deep like that, you know.

Wish

She made a wish, and opened her eyes...

YES and KNOW!

Hey all you lovers of science out there – there's a 40% Off Sale at YES and KNOW magazines, those great science magazines for kids. But you gotta be quick – the sale is only on until Wed Nov 23rd, 6:00 EST. Don't miss the chance to get a one-year subscription for $14.97!

You KNOW you want it, YES?

True Friends

True friends can sit together in a comfortable silence.

Random Readings 37

Arc de Triomphe, Super Bowl, Cadillac. Those are just silly sounds to kids; they have no emotional meaning. Not because kids are stupid, but because they’re new. They just got here. All they have is jealousy, anger, love, joy, fear. Writing for a kid means you can’t exploit genres and fads and fashions. The only weapon left in your arsenal is truth.

— from The Zena Sutherland Lecture, Why Books by Mo Willems. I need to tattoo this quote to my forehead.

The Love of a Good Rhino

That kinda love can go a long way, lemme tell ya.

Biblio Menagerie

Behold the watercolour painting I did for the Celebrities on Canvas Art Auction in support of Sarnia's Community Concerns for the Medically Fragile. The auction takes place Saturday November 12th at the Dante Club in Sarnia. Hope somebody bids for this!

Who Are the People in Chirp's 'Hood?

Well, according to this cover, Chirp hangs with a pretty cool crowd, I would say. Yup, Chirp's November issue is out, and it's all about neighbourhoods! You know, I've got a pretty cool neighbourhood, too. I live across from a school, so from my windows I can see lots of fun stuff going on – everything from water parties for the daycare kids to a family of loud honking geese who spend a good deal of time hanging around on the school roof. Of course I must mention the adorable Korean couple who run the local convenience store – the silent solid husband who sits on a crate out front, smoking smelly cigarettes & often peeling large bunches of garlic, nodding & smiling, looking like a somewhat dishevelled Buddha. His tiny hard-working wife is a ball of energy, always happy to see me & my husband (I'm sure she has a crush on Guy). We have a very congenial relationship, in spite of our language limitations. Although I take issue with her dying her tiny white dog pink (pink is her favourite colour – she wears it all the time), I know she loves that poor dog dearly, even it I think that love is a tad misplaced.

I truly love my neighbourhood – some might think this working-class area is not appealing, but I know that it is rich with life, diversity, nature, children, sadness and fear – you just have to look closely to see all the colour and texture.