My Smallest Fan

Here's a sweet photo of what might be my smallest fan. She is reading a special pre-release copy of Rodney Robbins and the Rainy-day Pond. (Actually, her father is reading it to her.) She seems enthralled by the story--or at least by Bruce Day's excellent illustrations--don't you think? Two days from now is the release day. Nothing big planned so far--just life as usual and working on the next project for Summer Shakespeare, a little freelance biography writing, and a possible kid's chapter book.

It's Finally Here!

Here it is! (See image at right.) At long last, my latest picture book, Rodney Robbins and the Rainy-day Pond has arrived. And my publisher says that I can now spill the beans. So here's the news: the illustrator is Bruce Day, a talented illustrator from Idaho. He's done work for the NFL, Campbell's Soup, and other well-known companies. His style is comic, detailed, and bright. Children will enjoy finding various elements of the story or sub-story throughout the book. For example, there's a frog that shows up repeatedly and a bandaid and . . . but you'll just have to see for yourself when the book becomes available June 2.

New Website

My staff & I (this is said slightly tongue-in-cheek) have been working hard to bring a new website to life. It will be about my endeavors as a children's author and will celebrate the launch of my new book, Rodney Robbins and the Rainy-day Pond. I have some reason to believe that the launch will take place next week since the word from the publisher was that the book was due to be out in May 2010. (And next week ends the month of May . . . or almost.) So with hope and joy and yes, a smidgeon of pride (or should I say "satisfaction"?), I look forward to the finish line.

Mumsi Program

This photo was taken by my mom at the Mumsi Meets a Lion program last week. It shows one young Mumsi and a fearsome lion. Note the flashlight and spear (as in the book). The backdrop and the abandoned termite mound are nice in this shot, too. You can't see the other children on the risers, but they are there in full costume--more lions and giraffes and birds and bats. Nice job, K5ers!

K5 Mumsi Program

Today I had the great privilege to attend a performance by a group of talented K5 students. The students did an adaptation of my book Mumsi Meets a Lion for their Spring program. The four kindergarten classes began as a large group, then performed individually. Each class had its own Mumsi or lion or villagers, etc. All of the children wore colorful costumes, and many held handmade musical instruments. Even though many parents had pre-ordered books for their students, some purchased additional ones before or after the program. It was so much fun to see the children's faces as they asked me to sign their books and told me what parts they'd played.

I also distributed buttons advertising my new Rodney book Those were delivered to the school at the eleventh hour. It was nice to have something to give away--and a nice promo.