Meet Chip, a dog who knows how to establish credibility immediately, or lose his audience. He claims he's smart and experienced. He knows important dog things. And he's not impressed with where cats, like Mittens, do their business. Text ©Dev Petty Illustration ©Mike Boldt Using a fine example of the distributive property, Chip shows off … Continue reading Don’t Eat Bees – Perfect Picture Book Friday
Have your tissues ready.....but, spoiler alert! The old dog doesn't die. This is not a book about grief. Instead, what we get is an ode to a tiny human breathing life into an old dog. They wander through the world, a world filled with slow delights and ample time to appreciate them. Stopping and smelling … Continue reading This Old Dog – Perfect Picture Book Friday #PPBF
And now it's time for Susanna Hill's Valentiny contest! The rules this year: write a Valentines story appropriate for children (children here defined as ages 12 and under) maximum 214 words in which someone feels guilty! My entry is 210 words. Only the Best for You, Mom! By Jilanne Hoffmann Mom, why are you giving me the stink eye? One … Continue reading Only the Best for You, Mom! – Valentiny Contest
Contest Rules: A character must be hopeful 214 words max, title not included Appropriate for ages 12 and under No illustration notes See other stories at Susanna Hill's Valentiny post. Now, for my story in exactly 213 words. The Best Valentine's Day Party Ever by Jilanne Hoffmann Sal’s a maker. Cal’s a baker. Val’s … Continue reading The Best Valentine’s Day Party Ever – Contest Entry
As part of Susanna Leonard Hill's Perfect Picture Book Friday, I'd like to present: I'm attracted to messy, silly, rhyming picture books for several reasons: They give kids a sense of the rhythm of language and help them predict the word at the end of a line. They entertain. They appeal to one's sense of … Continue reading Smelly Bill – Perfect Picture Book Friday
Time once again to add to Susanna Leonard Hill's growing list of recommended picture books. As I passed the "new" shelf in our library, the cover illustration of Shoe Dog caught my eye. Katherine Tillotson, magically transforms a handful of brown scribbles into a sniffing, chewing, boisterous puppy. And when I opened it up for … Continue reading Shoe Dog – Perfect Picture Book Friday
Peter Hoffmann, editor and publisher of the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Newsletter, a forward-thinking energy policy reporter extraordinaire, and my father-in-law, died April 18, 2014. He was 78. Peter, we will miss your humor, particularly your puns, your tender heart for animals, your curiosity, and your quick intellect. I'm thinking your afterlife involves sipping a … Continue reading Peter Hoffmann – Hydrogen Guru
Jilanne Hoffmann 