Now that June has arrived, I begin to think back on my days of teaching when the end of the school year filled me with mixed emotions. I was happy that summer vacation would begin in a few weeks and I would have two months of freedom. I was also touched with feelings of sadness at having to say goodbye to a room full of students who had become part of my family…students who had become my kids.
I think only other teachers may understand how truly attached an educator can become to her students over the course of a school year. You watch them learn and grow. You laugh with them…and share their sorrows. You read and discuss wonderful children’s books with them. You are amazed at some of their youthful insights. You look back at their portfolios at the end of the year and the writing they did early in the fall and are often surprised at how much progress they have made under your tutelage. You feel proud to have helped them along the way.
I know, as a parent, I felt some of the same emotions about my own daughter. I loved watching her grown and change. My pride in her was always touched with a tinge of sadness for the days that had passed…for happy times I knew could never be revisited. With all this in mind, I chose the following poem by Sharon Olds.
THE MONTH OF JUNE: 13 1/2
by Sharon Olds
As our daughter approaches graduation and
puberty at the same time, at her
own, calm, deliberate, serious rate,
she begins to kick up her heels, jazz out her
hands, thrust out her hipbones, chant
I’m great! I’m great! She feels 8th grade coming
open around her, a chrysalis cracking and
letting her out, it falls behind her and
joins the other husks on the ground,
7th grade, 6th grade, the
magenta rind of 5th grade, the
hard jacket of 4th when she had so much pain,
3rd grade, 2nd, the dim cocoon of
1st grade back there somewhere on the path, and
kindergarten like a strip of thumb-suck blanket
taken from the actual blanket they wrapped her in at birth.
You can read the rest of the poem here.
My daughter is now twenty-seven years old. I wish I could travel back in time and relive her childhood days with her all over again. She seemed to have grown into a woman in a few blinks of my eyes.
This poem is for you, Sara, with love.
Visit Wild Rose Reader today for my Interview with Douglas Florian, Part 2.
Friday, June 01, 2007
Thursday, May 31, 2007
randmom stuff
Oops, my time to post again. I have such a crappy cough and it won't go away! It's very distracting.
Anyway, first thing-- the "directions" part on my Strong Man party page is now up.
www.meghan-mccarthy.com/strongman_party.html
Second--please throw out some favorite finger foods that you would like to eat at the party to be. I only like to eat chips and donuts so I'm not too good at picking stuff out.
Third--on to book talk. I THINK my book, which was once called The Astronaut Handbook, will now be called Astronaut Handbook. Why? Well, it's a funny thing. Sometimes there's just no room for the "the." This is what happened with my handbook. The designer, try as she may, couldn't find room for it on the cover. Believe me, I'm good at voicing my opinion, so if I thought there was a solution I would have stated it. But there really isn't room. In my own version that I gave her I left out the "the" unintentionally... I guess because there wasn't room. I mean, there IS room but it doesn’t' look all nice and design like. I'm sure this may be a bit confusing and I wish I had the cover to show you but I don't. Perhaps I'll see if I can obtain it.
I have one other thing to talk about... and this is disorganization and the quest to reverse it. I've had plenty of time lately to flip through those lovely designer magazines while at work and I've seen a lot of cool stuff--laptop bags, keychain holders, office neatening tricks... and so I thought it would be fun to have a little segment on products here on the BRG. I don't have time just yet to start this off but perhaps I shall find a moment later tonight to show you some of my favorite finds.
Stay tuned!
meghan
Anyway, first thing-- the "directions" part on my Strong Man party page is now up.
www.meghan-mccarthy.com/strongman_party.html
Second--please throw out some favorite finger foods that you would like to eat at the party to be. I only like to eat chips and donuts so I'm not too good at picking stuff out.
Third--on to book talk. I THINK my book, which was once called The Astronaut Handbook, will now be called Astronaut Handbook. Why? Well, it's a funny thing. Sometimes there's just no room for the "the." This is what happened with my handbook. The designer, try as she may, couldn't find room for it on the cover. Believe me, I'm good at voicing my opinion, so if I thought there was a solution I would have stated it. But there really isn't room. In my own version that I gave her I left out the "the" unintentionally... I guess because there wasn't room. I mean, there IS room but it doesn’t' look all nice and design like. I'm sure this may be a bit confusing and I wish I had the cover to show you but I don't. Perhaps I'll see if I can obtain it.
I have one other thing to talk about... and this is disorganization and the quest to reverse it. I've had plenty of time lately to flip through those lovely designer magazines while at work and I've seen a lot of cool stuff--laptop bags, keychain holders, office neatening tricks... and so I thought it would be fun to have a little segment on products here on the BRG. I don't have time just yet to start this off but perhaps I shall find a moment later tonight to show you some of my favorite finds.
Stay tuned!
meghan
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
selling out
Recently, I have been depleting my finances at an alarming rate and in consequence have been spending my time trying to think of crazy get-rich-quick schemes. Legal ones, mind you. In the end, I always come to the conclusion that if I could somehow get one (or two or three) of my books some kind of fame, fortune would follow.
I think this conclusion comes to me after watching mind-numbing tv day in and day out. Suddenly even the dumbest tv shows seem like smart marketing. A while ago, Chris Barton wrote on his blog about the artistic choice of NOT selling out--something which I applaud in theory yet find myself unable to embrace in practice.
But would it be so bad? Would your opinion of me and my work be diminished if say, my books were on the Kikkoman labels or Chinese take-out boxes? What do you think?
I think this conclusion comes to me after watching mind-numbing tv day in and day out. Suddenly even the dumbest tv shows seem like smart marketing. A while ago, Chris Barton wrote on his blog about the artistic choice of NOT selling out--something which I applaud in theory yet find myself unable to embrace in practice.
But would it be so bad? Would your opinion of me and my work be diminished if say, my books were on the Kikkoman labels or Chinese take-out boxes? What do you think?
Monday, May 28, 2007
Alvina and Olvina
I always seem to forget it's my turn to post when a holiday weekend comes along. I haven't really thought about what to write about today, but as it seems that people are most excited about my mention in my IRA wrap-up that Jerry Spinelli named a character after me in Love, Stargirl, I'd might as well tell a little more about how that happened.
I've been a slacker about writing about the books I've edited that are out now, but I do mean to post about Eggs by Jerry Spinelli soon. Last year while we were working on that book together, Jerry emailed me and said he had an odd request, that he'd been struggling with the name of a character in the Stargirl sequel, that she had already gone through three names and he'd finally settled on one that fit--"Alvina." He said she was nothing like me, that she was actually a bit of a curmudgeon, and if I felt uncomfortable with that he'd find another name, but of course I was thrilled--what an honor! And now I've read the ARCs, and indeed, Alvina is quite an unpleasant character--in fact, another character says, "I hate Alvina" several times at the beginning of the book. But I love it. I love that I'm hot-tempered and scrappy and mean. And I know it's not "me"--it's a different person that shares my name, but as I don't get characters with the same name as me very often, I can't help but identify with her. My coworkers joked that this might spur a whole new generation of kids named "Alvina."
Speaking of characters named after me, there are two other books I should mention.
Some of you might remember Grace's picture book Olvina Flies that came out in 2003. It's a book about a chicken named Olvina who is invited to a bird convention and doesn't want to go at first because she's embarrassed about having to take an airplane there while all the other birds fly. Grace posted about the backstory behind the name on her website here--basically, I told her that a foreign publisher had sent me a fax at work addressed to "Olvina," and her first reaction was the laugh and say, "Olvina, that's funny. That's the perfect name for a chicken!" (Isn't it weird how creative people think?) And now, the sequel is out, Olvina Swims.
I had known that the sequel was coming out soon, and a few months ago I asked Grace when exactly, and she said, "Oh, at the same time as Lissy's Friends." And I said, "WHAT?!? And you're having a whole big book launch party for Lissy's Friends and not for Olvina Flies?!" The other BRGs joked that Ki-Ki and I should hold up signs of protest at the book party, Ki-Ki because the doll/book are about the other sister, Lissy, and me because Olvina is being neglected. But we're bigger people than that. :)
But don't forget about Olvina Flies and Olvina Swims! I love how Grace draws animals. These books are reminscent of Richard Scarry books. Although I will say that, just as in the case with Alvina in Love, Stargirl, Olvina is nothing like me, either. I'm not a chicken, I'm not afraid to fly. But I will have to start training in my swimming soon if I'm really going to do a triathlon this year...I should take inspiration from Olvina.
And I'd also like to point out the last of the BRG interviews over at 7-Imp. Check out Libby's interview here!
Thanks to Jules and Eisha for doing the BRG series. It's been great! If you missed any of the interviews, they have a nice wrap-up with links at the bottom of Libby's interview.
Happy Memorial Day, everyone. I'm off to Coney Island today to ride the Cyclone!
I've been a slacker about writing about the books I've edited that are out now, but I do mean to post about Eggs by Jerry Spinelli soon. Last year while we were working on that book together, Jerry emailed me and said he had an odd request, that he'd been struggling with the name of a character in the Stargirl sequel, that she had already gone through three names and he'd finally settled on one that fit--"Alvina." He said she was nothing like me, that she was actually a bit of a curmudgeon, and if I felt uncomfortable with that he'd find another name, but of course I was thrilled--what an honor! And now I've read the ARCs, and indeed, Alvina is quite an unpleasant character--in fact, another character says, "I hate Alvina" several times at the beginning of the book. But I love it. I love that I'm hot-tempered and scrappy and mean. And I know it's not "me"--it's a different person that shares my name, but as I don't get characters with the same name as me very often, I can't help but identify with her. My coworkers joked that this might spur a whole new generation of kids named "Alvina."
Speaking of characters named after me, there are two other books I should mention.
Some of you might remember Grace's picture book Olvina Flies that came out in 2003. It's a book about a chicken named Olvina who is invited to a bird convention and doesn't want to go at first because she's embarrassed about having to take an airplane there while all the other birds fly. Grace posted about the backstory behind the name on her website here--basically, I told her that a foreign publisher had sent me a fax at work addressed to "Olvina," and her first reaction was the laugh and say, "Olvina, that's funny. That's the perfect name for a chicken!" (Isn't it weird how creative people think?) And now, the sequel is out, Olvina Swims.
I had known that the sequel was coming out soon, and a few months ago I asked Grace when exactly, and she said, "Oh, at the same time as Lissy's Friends." And I said, "WHAT?!? And you're having a whole big book launch party for Lissy's Friends and not for Olvina Flies?!" The other BRGs joked that Ki-Ki and I should hold up signs of protest at the book party, Ki-Ki because the doll/book are about the other sister, Lissy, and me because Olvina is being neglected. But we're bigger people than that. :)But don't forget about Olvina Flies and Olvina Swims! I love how Grace draws animals. These books are reminscent of Richard Scarry books. Although I will say that, just as in the case with Alvina in Love, Stargirl, Olvina is nothing like me, either. I'm not a chicken, I'm not afraid to fly. But I will have to start training in my swimming soon if I'm really going to do a triathlon this year...I should take inspiration from Olvina.
And I'd also like to point out the last of the BRG interviews over at 7-Imp. Check out Libby's interview here!
Thanks to Jules and Eisha for doing the BRG series. It's been great! If you missed any of the interviews, they have a nice wrap-up with links at the bottom of Libby's interview.
Happy Memorial Day, everyone. I'm off to Coney Island today to ride the Cyclone!
Sunday, May 27, 2007
party information
Hello all,
I've put up the address for the party and will soon add directions.
http://www.meghan-mccarthy.com/strongman_party.html
I might even get a bartender for an hour to make some fun free drinks!
meghan
I've put up the address for the party and will soon add directions.
http://www.meghan-mccarthy.com/strongman_party.html
I might even get a bartender for an hour to make some fun free drinks!
meghan
Saturday, May 26, 2007
WRITING AND EDITING
Awhile ago Alvina and I started to talk about what people want in editors, but never finished the conversation (I was driving – poor Alvina, who is often the one being driven! Some* of us BRGs are pretty bad at that)…but that got me thinking, as BRG conversations tend to do.
What I look for in an editor is someone who understands what I’m trying to say and gives comments that help me say it better. Or say it, period! Alvina is brilliant at this; she doesn’t tell me WHAT to say, but she is encouraging while pointing out – what shall we call them? Areas needing improvement? These are not always things that need to be taken out or rewritten – sometimes they are additions.
But the result is a better book. It’s like having long floppy messy hair and then having someone shape it into a short (well, maybe not necessarily short: depends on the project, sometimes things get longer) cute flattering haircut. By the way I take the art of haircutting VERY seriously and this is not meant to belittle editing.
I edit other people’s work for a living; but I’m not good at editing my own. When I write, I’m very self-absorbed, seeing everything how I imagine it, I don’t really have a lot of control – things just pop out. And I don't know how they will strike other people.
When I edit, I’m reacting to what’s on the page and responding to the author -- as a reader, not as a writer: it’s his or her book, NOT MINE. If I don’t understand something, I don’t leap in with my own imagination – I ask, we talk about it, until the author (sometimes prodded by me) figures out how to solve the problem: and usually it’s not figuring out – it’s just ideas popping into his or her mind. That is really fun to see.
They’re really, really different processes: when I’m the editor, I’m the midwife, when I’m the writer, I’m the mother giving birth; I can’t do both at the same time! I think maybe picture book authors CAN (you write spare to start with because you have the pictures?) but maybe this is just one more instance of the proverbial grass being greener. Thoughts? What do YOU look for in an editor?
____
* PS Might as well name names: I don't think it will offend Grace if I say that she and I are the bad drivers -- and CONSTANTLY getting lost.
What I look for in an editor is someone who understands what I’m trying to say and gives comments that help me say it better. Or say it, period! Alvina is brilliant at this; she doesn’t tell me WHAT to say, but she is encouraging while pointing out – what shall we call them? Areas needing improvement? These are not always things that need to be taken out or rewritten – sometimes they are additions.
But the result is a better book. It’s like having long floppy messy hair and then having someone shape it into a short (well, maybe not necessarily short: depends on the project, sometimes things get longer) cute flattering haircut. By the way I take the art of haircutting VERY seriously and this is not meant to belittle editing.
I edit other people’s work for a living; but I’m not good at editing my own. When I write, I’m very self-absorbed, seeing everything how I imagine it, I don’t really have a lot of control – things just pop out. And I don't know how they will strike other people.
When I edit, I’m reacting to what’s on the page and responding to the author -- as a reader, not as a writer: it’s his or her book, NOT MINE. If I don’t understand something, I don’t leap in with my own imagination – I ask, we talk about it, until the author (sometimes prodded by me) figures out how to solve the problem: and usually it’s not figuring out – it’s just ideas popping into his or her mind. That is really fun to see.
They’re really, really different processes: when I’m the editor, I’m the midwife, when I’m the writer, I’m the mother giving birth; I can’t do both at the same time! I think maybe picture book authors CAN (you write spare to start with because you have the pictures?) but maybe this is just one more instance of the proverbial grass being greener. Thoughts? What do YOU look for in an editor?
____
* PS Might as well name names: I don't think it will offend Grace if I say that she and I are the bad drivers -- and CONSTANTLY getting lost.
Friday, May 25, 2007
ALMOST finished stuff... and... the secrets behind strong man?
None of these are quite finshed... but the were good enough to drop off at my publisher... for now.
And here we have the typical case. The frantic painting me always gets paint on everything. I've ruined lots of clothes!
Lastly, someone asked about Strong Man juicy stuff. I have some. But I can't talk about it here. Strong Man was long in the making and LOTS happened before it found a happy home. If you want to here the gossip, come to my party and I'll tell you! Thankfully, my wonderful publisher snatched up my book after it had been badly beaten and happily published it. And it payed off! It got its first starred review out of the gate. No one can complain about that.
meghan
ps I might post the address and put a map on my website along with other strong man party info. If I do I'll let you all know! I just don't want anything showing up on google. If I put the address on my website and take it off in a few days google shouldn't find it.
And here we have the typical case. The frantic painting me always gets paint on everything. I've ruined lots of clothes!
Lastly, someone asked about Strong Man juicy stuff. I have some. But I can't talk about it here. Strong Man was long in the making and LOTS happened before it found a happy home. If you want to here the gossip, come to my party and I'll tell you! Thankfully, my wonderful publisher snatched up my book after it had been badly beaten and happily published it. And it payed off! It got its first starred review out of the gate. No one can complain about that.
meghan
ps I might post the address and put a map on my website along with other strong man party info. If I do I'll let you all know! I just don't want anything showing up on google. If I put the address on my website and take it off in a few days google shouldn't find it.
POETRY FRIDAY: A Poem for Memorial Day
In 2001, I was one of fifty participants in the first annual Summer Poetry Institute for Teachers. The institute was a collaboration between Robert Pinsky’s Favorite Poem Project and the Boston University School of Education. During our five days at Boston University, we teachers discussed poems with Robert Pinsky and other well-known adult poets, including Mark Doty, Rosanna Warren, David Ferry, and Louise Gluck; viewed some of the videos produced by the Favorite Poem Project; and worked together in smaller groups to develop poetry activities and lesson plans for teachers to use in school and the community.
One of the poetry videos that touched at my heart was of Michael Lythgoe, a veteran of the Vietnam War, reciting Yusef Komunyakaa’s Facing It, a poem about a visit to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D. C.
I lost a good and kind friend in that war. Several years ago, my husband and I took our daughter down to visit the memorial. It was a truly emotional experience for me when I found my friend’s name carved into the face of that black granite wall. It was as if three decades of my life had never happened and I was back in the late 1960s—a time when many young men lived in fear of being drafted and sent to fight in an unpopular war in a country many of us knew little about.
FACING IT
by Yusef Komunyakaa
My black face fades,
THE WALL
Written by Eve Bunting
Illustrated by Ronald Himler
Clarion, 1990
One of the poetry videos that touched at my heart was of Michael Lythgoe, a veteran of the Vietnam War, reciting Yusef Komunyakaa’s Facing It, a poem about a visit to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D. C.
I lost a good and kind friend in that war. Several years ago, my husband and I took our daughter down to visit the memorial. It was a truly emotional experience for me when I found my friend’s name carved into the face of that black granite wall. It was as if three decades of my life had never happened and I was back in the late 1960s—a time when many young men lived in fear of being drafted and sent to fight in an unpopular war in a country many of us knew little about.
FACING IT
by Yusef Komunyakaa
My black face fades,
hiding inside the black granite.
I said I wouldn't,
dammit: No tears.
I'm stone. I'm flesh.
My clouded reflection eyes me
like a bird of prey, the profile of night
slanted against morning. I turn
this way—the stone lets me go.
I turn that way—I'm inside
the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
again, depending on the light
to make a difference.
You can read the rest of the poem here.
You can view the video here.
Click here to read a brief biography of Yusef Komunyakaa and for links to some of his other poems at the website of the Poetry Foundation.
Click here to read a more extensive biography of Komunyakaa at the website of the Academy of American Poets.
For a tasteful and touching picture book to read to elementary age students about a father and son visiting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, I suggest the following book:
Click here to read a brief biography of Yusef Komunyakaa and for links to some of his other poems at the website of the Poetry Foundation.
Click here to read a more extensive biography of Komunyakaa at the website of the Academy of American Poets.
For a tasteful and touching picture book to read to elementary age students about a father and son visiting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, I suggest the following book:
THE WALL
Written by Eve Bunting
Illustrated by Ronald Himler
Clarion, 1990
May we all remember the true meaning of Memorial Day.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
BUSY
Howdy folks,
It's my day to post but I've got a full schedule! I'm trying to finish up two paintings to bring to my publisher... I've got physical therapy... and a doctor's appointment... and then I must run 3 miles. Ugh.
So, tonight I will post. I will also show a picture from my astronaut book. I'm pretty please with it.
Also--
Party.
I don't want to post the address of it online (because it's not at my place) so if you would like to go, please send me an email and I'll give you all the details!
meghanmccarthy007@yahoo.com
please send away! I want you all there!
thanks
meghan
It's my day to post but I've got a full schedule! I'm trying to finish up two paintings to bring to my publisher... I've got physical therapy... and a doctor's appointment... and then I must run 3 miles. Ugh.
So, tonight I will post. I will also show a picture from my astronaut book. I'm pretty please with it.
Also--
Party.
I don't want to post the address of it online (because it's not at my place) so if you would like to go, please send me an email and I'll give you all the details!
meghanmccarthy007@yahoo.com
please send away! I want you all there!
thanks
meghan
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Book release party!
Yup, the Strong Man party is a go. It also got its first starred review from Kirkus!
The party will be Saturday June 9th (if this date changes I will announce it here ASAP) in the evening, starting around 8 or 9. The location and other info will be listed soon.
Things it will have:
A giant strong man cutout... the kind you put your face in... to get your pictures taken
an amazing strongman cake! (yup, I'm putting lots of pressure on my pal Julia)
the best music ever
videos to watch, which will be projected (if you have any great ideas for crazy videos, let me know!)
A BBQ - hamburgers, hot dogs, etc
lots of beer and wine and soda for the anti-alcohol types
some other things that I haven't come up with yet (ideas?)
Mark your calendars! Someone suggested the tagline for my books should be "not your grandmother's non fiction" or something like that... well, this party isn't for grandma either.
meghan
The party will be Saturday June 9th (if this date changes I will announce it here ASAP) in the evening, starting around 8 or 9. The location and other info will be listed soon.
Things it will have:
A giant strong man cutout... the kind you put your face in... to get your pictures taken
an amazing strongman cake! (yup, I'm putting lots of pressure on my pal Julia)
the best music ever
videos to watch, which will be projected (if you have any great ideas for crazy videos, let me know!)
A BBQ - hamburgers, hot dogs, etc
lots of beer and wine and soda for the anti-alcohol types
some other things that I haven't come up with yet (ideas?)
Mark your calendars! Someone suggested the tagline for my books should be "not your grandmother's non fiction" or something like that... well, this party isn't for grandma either.
meghan
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
gratitude
Yes, the party is over (or as they spell it in Boston o-v-a). It was only afterwards, while I was on a plane to San Antonio that I realized that I never publicly thanked all the girls for their behind the scenes help! So here it is:
Thank you, Alvina, for coming over straight after IRA, helping to make 144 cupcakes, paper flowers and being a book party bridesmaid.
Thank you, Anna, for helping to frost 144 cupcakes, chauffeuring me, the cupcakes and about a hundred million other things (including books and Robert) to and fro.
Thank you, Elaine, for being the other chauffeur and supplying the wine and the sandwiches. Very smart woman, Elaine is. I was going to have everyone make do with cupcakes and fruit but she said people would want something a bit more substantial…they did!
Thank you Linda and Libby for driving from Connecticut and manning the book and raffle table, selling oodles of goods with you magnetic smiles and personality.
Thank you, Meghan, for NOT coming and therefore keeping your job!
And thanks to the rest of you for celebrating my birthday and Lissy’s Friends book release in person or in spirit, as well as your kind thoughts about Robert. And for your patience with this oscar-speech-like post (I’m starting to hear the music...).
Party and tonight
For those of you that missed Grace's book launch/birthday/boston blogger party on Saturday, don't miss the next one!! The afternoon was delightful. It was fun to see old friends in our little Boston book community, and also to put faces to names in this blog-o-sphere and meet new folks.
We got an exciting first glimpse at Grace's new books (complete with original artwork on display), there was an exciting art auction, and I got to buy my very own Lissy doll (above sitting on my desk), which is just the coolest thing ever! It looks exactly like Grace's illustrations, amazing. Oh and did I mention that I totally stuffed my face with cupcakes? I was high on sugar for like an hour after the party.
Anyways, a good time was had by all, so a big thank you to Grace and everyone who came and made it such a lovely afternoon.
So on to other events... tonight the Foundation for Children's Books is hosting the last lecture in their spring series, which has been fantastic. This week features Jacqueline Davies, Mitali Perkins and Jamie Harper. Details below. See you there!
PS. Allison Morris over at the Wellesley Booksmith wrote a great blog post about Jacqueline Davies at her Publisher's Weekly blog here. Totally inspired me to go to the lecture tonight.
New England Voices, the last event in our Conversations with...series is different from the rest: it features area authors reading from new works. This year's authors will be Jacqueline Davies, reading from The Lemonade War, and Mitali Perkins reading from Rickshaw Girl. In addition, Jamie Harper will read from Miss Mingo and the First Day of School. The event also includes the Foundation for Children's Books Annual Meeting, with a look at our author visits to under-served schools, as well as a book signing and reception featuring Jacqueline Davies' lemonade stand--a great night that you won't want to miss!
Book signing and reception
FREE and open to the public--bring a friend!
Where & When:
Vanderslice Hall, Boston College
Tuesday, May 22, 7:30 p.m.
Book sale and signing with books from the Children's Book Shop
For directions and more information, go to:
The Foundation for Children's Books
Sunday, May 20, 2007
IRA and Toronto wrap-up, Podcast, and Party Pics
I'm back in NYC after being gone to Toronto and Boston for a week. It's been a busy, productive, and fun week. First off, I wanted to highlight an interview that I did with Peter Brown about the author/editor relationship during IRA over at Just One More Book. Hear it here.
And then I wrote a way-too-long wrap-up of Toronto and IRA on my personal blog here.
And finally, Grace's party was a huge success and a whole lot of fun. I'm sure Grace and the other BRGs will be posting wrap-ups, but for now I'll just post some pics. Check them out! We had bloggers, teachers, librarians, children's book authors and illustrators, friends, six of the seven BRGs (we missed you, Meghan!), and lots and lots of cupcakes. Thanks everyone for coming.
Decorating the 144 cupcakes the night before the party:
Preparing the gift bags:
The Blue Rose Girls (minus Meghan)!
And then I wrote a way-too-long wrap-up of Toronto and IRA on my personal blog here.
And finally, Grace's party was a huge success and a whole lot of fun. I'm sure Grace and the other BRGs will be posting wrap-ups, but for now I'll just post some pics. Check them out! We had bloggers, teachers, librarians, children's book authors and illustrators, friends, six of the seven BRGs (we missed you, Meghan!), and lots and lots of cupcakes. Thanks everyone for coming.
Decorating the 144 cupcakes the night before the party:
Preparing the gift bags:
Elaine and Eisha of 7 Imp:
Kitty of the Horn Book with Lolly podcasting in the background:
The Blue Rose Girls (minus Meghan)!
If you took pictures at the party, please email them to us at Bluerosegirls at gmail dot com. Happy Birthday, Grace! We're thinking good thoughts for you and Robert out in San Antonio.
Friday, May 18, 2007
POETRY FRIDAY: A Tribute to Teachers
Yesterday, I attended a retirement party for three outstanding teachers with whom I had the pleasure of working for many years. Each one of these educators is the epitome of what an elementary classroom teacher should be: professional, intelligent, knowledgeable, well-read, caring, kind, patient, and always happy to share her time, expertise, and educational materials with younger colleagues who needed guidance, advice, support, and encouragement.
I had the great fortune to teach in a school where my co-workers were consummate professionals. I know this not only as a teacher who worked in the same building with these remarkable educators—but also as a parent whose only child attended the school. My daughter was well taught and her world enriched and expanded by her educational experience at this institution where I spent my teaching career.
The classroom teachers, the gym, music, and art teachers, the school librarian, the resource room teachers, the school secretary and nurse, and all the paraprofessionals and support staff—everyone at my school was topnotch. I loved working with all these people and have missed every one of them since my retirement in June of 2004. (I do stop by every now and then to do poetry-writing exercises in some classrooms.)
About a decade ago, I wrote a poem entitled Here Is Her Room for Bonnie, one of our first grade teachers who was retiring. I thought I would post the poem here today in honor of my three other colleagues who were feted yesterday during a gala party at which we celebrated their educational contributions to the Bell School and to its young students.
My poem today is for Leslie, Phyllis, and Kathy—and for all public school educators who are dedicated to their profession and to the children they teach.
Here Is Her Room
by Elaine Magliaro
Here is her room—
dark and dusty,
bare of bright pictures,
plastic bins empty
of thick primary pencils
and silver-scaled scissors,
its cardboard alphabet
hidden in a dim cupboard.
The painted whales
have swum away for summer.
Here is her room—
hollow and lonely,
its door shut tight
on uncounted memories.
Turn the brass knob
and enter softly.
Listen to the echoes
of downy chicks
cheeping in a corner,
merry young Pilgrims
celebrating the first Thanksgiving,
children singing songs
and reciting well-loved poems,
the snip of busy scissors
cutting colored paper
for a winter collage.
Here is her room—
four walls holding a happy history,
a world of words and wonder
she opened to boys and girls
before she gave them
wings.
HAPPY RETIREMENT, LADIES!!!
Stop by Wild Rose Reader today for The Poetry of Mary Ann Hoberman.
I had the great fortune to teach in a school where my co-workers were consummate professionals. I know this not only as a teacher who worked in the same building with these remarkable educators—but also as a parent whose only child attended the school. My daughter was well taught and her world enriched and expanded by her educational experience at this institution where I spent my teaching career.
The classroom teachers, the gym, music, and art teachers, the school librarian, the resource room teachers, the school secretary and nurse, and all the paraprofessionals and support staff—everyone at my school was topnotch. I loved working with all these people and have missed every one of them since my retirement in June of 2004. (I do stop by every now and then to do poetry-writing exercises in some classrooms.)
About a decade ago, I wrote a poem entitled Here Is Her Room for Bonnie, one of our first grade teachers who was retiring. I thought I would post the poem here today in honor of my three other colleagues who were feted yesterday during a gala party at which we celebrated their educational contributions to the Bell School and to its young students.
My poem today is for Leslie, Phyllis, and Kathy—and for all public school educators who are dedicated to their profession and to the children they teach.
Here Is Her Room
by Elaine Magliaro
Here is her room—
dark and dusty,
bare of bright pictures,
plastic bins empty
of thick primary pencils
and silver-scaled scissors,
its cardboard alphabet
hidden in a dim cupboard.
The painted whales
have swum away for summer.
Here is her room—
hollow and lonely,
its door shut tight
on uncounted memories.
Turn the brass knob
and enter softly.
Listen to the echoes
of downy chicks
cheeping in a corner,
merry young Pilgrims
celebrating the first Thanksgiving,
children singing songs
and reciting well-loved poems,
the snip of busy scissors
cutting colored paper
for a winter collage.
Here is her room—
four walls holding a happy history,
a world of words and wonder
she opened to boys and girls
before she gave them
wings.
HAPPY RETIREMENT, LADIES!!!
Stop by Wild Rose Reader today for The Poetry of Mary Ann Hoberman.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Surprise best sellers
This is really about adult books, not children's books -- but I still found it fascinating.
Greatest Mystery: Making a Best Seller
And anyone whose book has earned out its advance should find it encouraging!
Greatest Mystery: Making a Best Seller
And anyone whose book has earned out its advance should find it encouraging!
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
a quick poll
Hello all,
I'm thinking about revamping some parts of my website. Is there anything you'd like to see on there that isn't present? Are there any navigational tools that would be helpful? Is there a better way that I could organize it... split up fun vs. work stuff?
www.meghan-mccarthy.com
I KNOW I'm going to regret asking because I'll most likely get a bunch of varying opinions... but... I'm hoping they will also be helpful.
meghan
p.s - I'm having a book party next month for Strong Man. I'll save the details for later. Grace's party will most definitely be better. For one thing, she's better at making food and she's better at organizing things. Wah. I want to go too!
I'm thinking about revamping some parts of my website. Is there anything you'd like to see on there that isn't present? Are there any navigational tools that would be helpful? Is there a better way that I could organize it... split up fun vs. work stuff?
www.meghan-mccarthy.com
I KNOW I'm going to regret asking because I'll most likely get a bunch of varying opinions... but... I'm hoping they will also be helpful.
meghan
p.s - I'm having a book party next month for Strong Man. I'll save the details for later. Grace's party will most definitely be better. For one thing, she's better at making food and she's better at organizing things. Wah. I want to go too!
celebrate with me!
I've been having a lot of personal drama in mia casa which has finally come to a happy and hopeful conclusion (or beginning). So, more than ever I have lots to celebrate at my party this Saturday! It's now a Birthday, Book, Boston Blogger, & Bon Voyage Party! How's that for alliteration?
It's going to be great--the Horn Book is going to try to podcast parts of it(I have a secret desire to spike the punch and have them record scandalous drunken gossip), the books and dolls probably will be there (though that has not been confirmed, I guess I scheduled a bit too close to the release date--things aren't really released on the release date, did you know that?), and I am making chocolate rats (in honor of The Year of the Rat, the ARC I'm putting in the bags) and blue chocolate roses (in honor of my girls here) for the goodie bags (though I may give up after a while and just start filling with M&M's).
So, you're coming right? You must be, because I have 98 who RSVPed yes! I better start making cupcakes.
P.S.: Some people have asked me if they could bring anything; but for my birthday, in lieu of gifts,I'd love a donation to Robert's Snow/Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. There will be a donation tin at my party for your convenience, as well as the raffle for the original painting (I'll pick the winner at around 3:00 pm). If you are only coming in spirit, I'd be extremely thankful for this present.
It's going to be great--the Horn Book is going to try to podcast parts of it(I have a secret desire to spike the punch and have them record scandalous drunken gossip), the books and dolls probably will be there (though that has not been confirmed, I guess I scheduled a bit too close to the release date--things aren't really released on the release date, did you know that?), and I am making chocolate rats (in honor of The Year of the Rat, the ARC I'm putting in the bags) and blue chocolate roses (in honor of my girls here) for the goodie bags (though I may give up after a while and just start filling with M&M's).
So, you're coming right? You must be, because I have 98 who RSVPed yes! I better start making cupcakes.
P.S.: Some people have asked me if they could bring anything; but for my birthday, in lieu of gifts,I'd love a donation to Robert's Snow/Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. There will be a donation tin at my party for your convenience, as well as the raffle for the original painting (I'll pick the winner at around 3:00 pm). If you are only coming in spirit, I'd be extremely thankful for this present.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
PS
By the way, as a follow up to last week's post, it was the can of Wholefoods refried pinto beans that was the easiest to make a lantern out of, you win Linda! I was surprised about that actually. I thought it was going to be the SpaghettiO's.
Work in progress
Today I thought I'd post a few sketches from a book dummy I've been working on. The book is about friendship and stage fright and spelling (though you can't tell from these pics)... I drew these yesterday to illustrate the part of the story that introduces the characters as friends.
Remember the kerchief painting I posted about here? Well now she has a different one on every page, problem solved!
Remember the kerchief painting I posted about here? Well now she has a different one on every page, problem solved!
Monday, May 14, 2007
I'm in Toronto now...
I apologize for this abbreviated post. I realize I've been horrible about blogging, although mainly on my personal blog. I've been busy with the office move, traveling, and playing catch-up at work. Right now I'm in Toronto (my first time here!) for the International Reading Association conference. I arrived last night in time to have dinner at a nice French Bistro with two colleagues. This morning I'm meeting poet J. Patrick Lewis for breakfast before heading over to man the booth at the convention center for the morning. I hope to have more to report later this week or by next Monday.
Toronto is beautiful. If you're here at the convention, drop by the booth and say hi! Tony Abbott arrives today, Peter Brown tomorrow. Alice Hoffman and Marc Brown are also here today. Come to their signings!
Toronto is beautiful. If you're here at the convention, drop by the booth and say hi! Tony Abbott arrives today, Peter Brown tomorrow. Alice Hoffman and Marc Brown are also here today. Come to their signings!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)