It’s amazing how working in one area spawns an idea in another area. I’ve been researching Maine artist Dahlov Ipcar, whose children’s books(Hardscrabble Harvest, The Calico Jungle, My Wonderful Christmas Tree and others) are being reprinted by Islandport Press and who is still painting at age 93. It’s wonderful immersing myself in her gorgeous art, full of geometric patterns and lively colors. Her passion for jungle animals sparked an idea in my mind for a Christmas book.

I wrote a Christmas story during my first semester at Vermont College. Eric Kimmel was my mentor. Eric read my manuscript, critiqued it and said, “Now go write me a Christmas story worthy of the subject.” Hard to swallow, but he was right. Now I think my new idea might be worthy. The trick is to write it!

The Book Swap Café photo is from last weekend’s interview for a segment of a book discussion show on our local community TV channel. Who knew an interview could be so much fun? The show’s hosts, Anita and Mickey, were delightful and asked wonderful leading questions. The America’s Notable Women series got great publicity, I think. You can see Women of the Golden State standing on the table, cover pointing at the camera!

It was easy to share highlights of Judy Baca, Janice Mirikitani and Alice Eastward, my Golden State women. The hosts thought the women were fascinating. Mickey had even seen the Great Wall, the world’s longest mural that Judy Baca coordinated in LA, but didn’t know the story behind it.

Anita and Mickey wanted to know about Women of Granite, so we talked about some New Hampshire Women. The cameraman loved the story of Charlie Parkhurst, a NH orphan who ran away, disguised herself as a boy and had a long career as a stagecoach driver.

I’m eagerly waiting for the release of Women of the Empire State, which will be soon, then Illinois, the Prairie State. And I’ve begun research on some women form Maine, my home state!

The show airs in January locally, and I understand it's uploaded to PEGMEDIA, so community TV stations anywhere in the country have the option of showing it.

Children's Book-a-Day Almanac

Today I'm passing along author Leda Shubert's blog interview with Anita Silvey about Anita's fantastic Children's Book-a-Day Almanac. Imagine discovering the newsy bits behind old and new, all amazing, children's book each day. Veteran publisher, editor and author Anita Silvey dishes it up, and we get to savor what we didn't know about classics and newer books Anita has thoughtfully paired with each day.

This site is a must for teachers, librarians and all children's book lovers. The content will enrich book introductions and add texture to our own knowledge about everything that goes into creating a children's book. Silvey is a wellspring of knowledge about the history of children's publishing. I once heard her describe how Robert McCloskey had a bathtub full of tipsy ducks as models for Make Way for Ducklings!

Pass the word about the Children's Book-a-Day Almanac so all can enjoy.