New Book Signing

I'll be doing another book signing on a Saturday in December at The Open Book in Greenville, SC. The exact date is still to be decided but look for future posts with more information. 

Do You Amazon?

Well, my book, Mumsi Meets a Lion, has made it onto Amazon.com. It's sorta anti-climactic though because there is no image available (huh?) and it's still in the pre-order phase (whah?). Hopefully, that will get changed soon, and the throngs of lion-loving, Kenya-curious folks out there who've been just waiting for a book with the Swahili word "mapopo" in it will begin ordering by the gross. In the meantime, I'm sending the book to reviewers, lining up book signings, and attending book fairs. This is fun, but I'm still not very adept at the whole self-promotion thing.

Lions and Lions and . . . Well, Lions

Here's our official Mumsi lion. He can be packaged with a copy of the book. He is extra soft and has a large roar followed by a "rumbling deep in the throat"--just like in the book! Hope you get to see one in person soon.

November Picnic

We had a neighborhood luncheon today--outdoors in the crisp Autumn sunshine.

Stick-tinder

and shreds from the recycling bin

glow hot orange and blue.

Choking grey fumes

calm to

a gentle glow.

Bent, burnt hangars,

Singed bangs and smokey jeans. 

A hot dog gives its life to the flame.

Also a Reese's cup

and four marshmellows.

First Book Signing

I will be signing copies of my new book, Mumsi Meets a Lion, at the Blue Tree Jewelry Christmas Show tonite, November 21, 5:30-8:30 PM. The location is 133 Corrine Drive, Greenville, SC. I'll have the book and adorable little plush lions to make a perfect gift for a young child. I will hopefully have other signings lined up soon, so stay tuned!

New Mercy

I woke up this morning thinking about God's mercies to me. Praise Him for sunshine and cloud. For warmth and cold. For faux-down comforters and pillows. For LL Bean slippers and Lady Grey tea. For children who set their own alarms and my husband's CPAP. For water heaters and clogged sinks. For toasted bagels and GPSs. For friends who ask you about your new book and buy one even though they don't have children the appropriate ages. For cellos and fingers to play them. For achilles tendons that ache and those that don't. Great is Your faithfulness. Lord, help me to think on You and thank You for today. Amen.

I Have an ISBN!

Dear Friends:

 Many thanks to those of you who have supported my efforts or put up with my stories about publishing my first children's book. It's based on a true story told to me by our Kenyan friend Sawaya, and it's finally here!  See more details and a look inside the book at the gorgeous illustrations by New Jersey artist Kimberly Batti at http://www.bjupress.com/product/258012?path=2164.

 Kim

Mumsi Meets a Lion by Kim Stegall Item #: 258012 ISBN: 978-1-59166-871-8 Mumsi, a Samburu boy, has heard stories about lions. He knows that if he ever meets a lion he must not move or breathe--and above all, he must not run.  But when Mumsi comes face to face with a simba on the dark forest path, it takes all his strength and courage to do the right thing. Colorful illustrations and simple Swahili words add cultural flavor to this heartwarming story.