Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Sheep in a Shop, Part II

The sheep who went to a country store in Sheep in a Shop are going to have a new adventure, though this time they will do it without benefit of illustrations. It's part of an essay in an upcoming anthology. My Bookstore features over 75 writers telling about where they shop, and why. Among the authors are Ann Patchett, Ian Frazier, Abraham Verghese, and Henry Louis Gates.

The book will debut on November 13, and I've just proofed my pages. The sheep will have some misadventures with a smartphone before stumbling upon Nicola's Books in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where they get personal service. For more about the book, see http://www.facebook.com/mybookstorecommunity.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Hop on board to Quetzaltenango!


Several years ago we traveled to the highlands of western Guatemala, the setting of my new picture book Elena's Story. The book, illustrated by Kristina Rodanas, is from Sleeping Bear Press. When we visited, our guide was our daughter Allison. 
In the book, Elena, who speaks the Mayan language Mam at home, struggles to practice reading and Spanish for school, while helping with the family chores. When she shares a picture book with her little brother, her mother gives Elena the job of being the reader.
I hope you will check out my new story!
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