by Samantha Thornhill and Illustrated by Shirley Ng-Benetiz
Standing up against something bigger than you in support of your family, neighborhood and friends is not easy. When builders want to take over a community garden to build a parking lot, Lily rallies to work against that decision and keep her community garden open. Lily pulls together friends to fight the builders and she and her community of friends manage to gain a year of time back for the garden. They vow to be ready to fight again next year too!
by Gary D. Schmidt and Elizabeth Stickley – Illustrated by Eugene Yelchin
I read this book before the Christmas holiday and although it is not a Christmas book, it filled me with the holiday spirit. I re-read it for this post and I love this book today as much as I did when I originally read it.
Gary D. Schmidt and Elizabeth Stickney have captured the Christmas Spirit in a very comforting, pure, and relatable story. The idyllic illustrations by Eugene Yelchin bring readers into the story. The story follows Samuel and his father, looking to secure a source of milk for their family. They embark on a series of trades beginning with a knife to be traded for assorted other valuables. Everyone seems to have a valuable item that means more to the person looking to trade it than the owner. The trading continues as the storm rages on. Until Samuel’s father finally trades for the item his mother wants most, a milk cow.
Follow this father and son as they work to accomplish a seemingly endless goal. Through snowstorms, cold weather, they work to accomplish their goal – all on a Long Road on a Short Day.
Full disclosure – I read this story a couple months ago and published this review elsewhere but never got around to posting it on this blog. After re-reading it this morning, and loving it all over again, I’m posting here as well.
I was gifted the story arc of this book for my review. I truly loved this story and the ongoing gifts inspired by a real-life event, Obi’s Mud Bath is a story of friends helping friends.
Written by Annette Schottenfeld and illustrated by Folasade Adeshida Obi’s mud Bath tells the story of Obi, a Rhinocerous in Zimbabwe, during a drought. If there is one thing a Rhino wants to do on a hot day it’s to wallow in a cool patch of mud. But instead, there is only dry, dusty, dirt for Obi and his friends Ruffalo, the ostrich, Tenda, the giraffe, and Mayo, the elephant. As Obi searches for mud he gets into trouble. With help from his friends, Obi does get out of trouble. And they all find a way to make it rain.
Inspired by a real-life event, Obi’s Mud Bath is a story of friends helping friends. Written by Annette Schottenfeld and illustrated by Folasade Adeshida Obi’s mud Bath tells the story of Obi, a Rhinoceros in Zimbabwe, during a drought. If there is one thing a Rhino wants to do on a hot day it’s to wallow in a cool patch of mud. But instead, there is only dry, dusty, dirt for Obi and his friends Ruffalo, the ostrich, Tenda, the giraffe, and Mayo, the elephant. As Obi searches for mud he gets into trouble. With help from his friends, Obi does get out of trouble. And they all find a way to make it rain. A portion of the proceeds from this book is being donated to Water.org an organization that empowers families around the world with access to safe water and sanitation.
I’ve been absent from this blog for several months but it has not been far from my mind. As we move even deeper into this election season, I’ve been trying to keep my emotions and feelings from getting away from me. It’s way too easy to get caught up in the noise. Here is one of my tips for keeping my happiness levels up. http://www.actionforhappiness.org
Give it a try. I’ll start – For October 1 – My most important goal this month is to complete a new manuscript. Your turn!
Happy Birthday to those of us who value the rights and privileges that being a citizen of the United States of America allows. Those same rights and privileges that we as a country fought for and defend when necessary. Those rights that were promised to us at the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Those rights that were offered to ones fleeing from persecution and atrocities. Those rights that we share not only with those native-born Americans but those coming here seeking the security and future of one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
I can hardly believe that I’m lucky enough to be here on the fringe of a book launch.
My book launch.
I received my proof copy and cried when I saw my name as author on an actual press printed bound hardcopy book. I first wrote this story three years ago and with the support of my wonderful critique group, multiple revisions and persistence, my manuscript was purchased by Clear Fork Publishing for their Spork imprint.
Special thanks to Jeanne Conway whose illustrations have brought my characters and story to life.
Much has transpired since I last posted. Much of that has been the reason that I have not blogged anything or written since early May. We lost my father-in-law to Alzheimer’s on Mother’s Day. It was a very long road for him and we’ll miss him a great deal, but his suffering is over and that is what we all wanted for him. He is finally at peace. I’ll just say this one thing – the Hospice care that he received was outstanding. There are tremendously generous people in the world that can provide that type of care to an individual and family and they are much appreciated. They made the transition an easy one for all involved – and they do it day after day. Amazing!
I’m going to get back on track slowly with my writing. I’m thrilled to have volunteered for SCBWI-LI. It’s wonderful to have a chapter so close to home. Participation is helping my get back to work and I am thankful for it. I have several items due to my own critique group that I’m working to have done by the July 4th holiday. Fingers crossed!
I’ve been taking some R & R time on the beach I and was able to get these photos of eggs in a nest for a pair of Killdeer Plovers.
Killdeer Plover nest
Not a rare Plover, but beautiful just the same. The nest is just feet from my back door and we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the four baby plovers.
Killdeer on beach
Their parents swoop in and out all day long checking on the nest.
Canadian Goose and goslings
It’s wonderful to see nature’s natural parental instincts on display. My words of wisdom – Stop and take part in nature’s celebration of life.
Pam Jones-Nill - Children's Author 