In a wave of "tree books" that have suddenly appeared on the market, this one distinguishes itself in the way it speaks directly to the reader. And in the strong connections it makes between the reader and trees. It starts with an energetic directive— Text ©️Maria Gianferrari Illustration ©️Felicita Sala Be a tree!Stand tall.Stretch your … Continue reading Be a Tree – Perfect Picture Book Friday
First, I've got to show you where a spent a few hours this past week during spring break in Los Angeles. Yes, it's THE LAST BOOKSTORE housed in an old bank in downtown LA! And what did I find in THE LAST BOOKSTORE? Well, an unusual picture book written by Swedish author, Martin Widmark. The … Continue reading THE LAST BOOKSTORE + The House of Lost and Found – Perfect Picture Book Friday
Some kids are drawn to build, some to dance, some to sing or write or draw or do math or reach for the stars....so many paths and possibilities. And then we come to a child in Cameroon. Tantoh, a young boy in Cameroon, is drawn to the earth. He is fascinated by how plants … Continue reading I Am Farmer – Perfect Picture Book Friday
Grant Faulkner, Founder and Executive Director of National Novel Writing Month, recently spoke at a fundraiser for one of my writing groups, the Write On Mamas. Correct that. He didn't "speak" so much as inspire us to challenge our personal narratives. Faulkner drew a series of concentric circles and described the center as someone who … Continue reading Are You a Writer? – NaNoWriMo
As part of my son's school curriculum, the entire 4/5th grade classes (about 40 kids) went to farm school this past week in rural northern California, a place where you're more likely to encounter a cow, sheep, or bobcat on the road than a vehicle. Hawks and turkey vultures circled overhead while hummingbirds buzzed about … Continue reading Night Hiking & Writing – Facing Your Fears
Jilanne Hoffmann 