Storyteller's Journey

It's Time for Summer Vacation!

Like most of you, I'm excited to spend some time outside in the sunshine this summer. So, I'll be taking my annual summer break from blogging. I'll be back on Writ of Whimsy in September. Have a sensational summer season!

Click here to view my recent quarterly newsletter.

Whimsical Word of the Week

Fernweh - (n.)
a longing to travel, missing a place you've never been.
Example: The writer's sense of ferweh caused her to spend the summer months traveling to remote locations.

Bibliophile's Corner

Vacation
by Blexbolex

Goodreads Description:
Time moves slowly on vacation. And for someone who has spent a long time entertaining themselves and has had the garden, the kitchen, forest paths, the lake, and even Grandpa all to herself, it can be hard to invite another in on the fun. So when a young girl’s grandfather brings an elephant home to stay, she is not pleased at all. Nostalgic and often dreamlike, this wordless story is about interrupted solitude, learning to be together with another, and how the choices we make deeply affect our lives.

My Thoughts:
The art and simple messages in this extraordinarily beautiful book took me back to those carefree days of my childhood. This story needs no words to convey the joy of a young girl on her vacation. The need for a child to embrace her imagination while reading this work of art is what I love most about it. And, if your child loved Babar, then Vacation will surely resonate in her young heart since an elephant is a featured character. I highly recommend Vacation to readers of all ages!

Click here to learn more about the multi-talented artist, Blexbolex.

Storyteller's Journey

My Annual Summer Reading List!
Once again it's time to feature my favorite novels for children that I've read since last autumn. Merely click on the title to read my review. Enjoy!


These ten fantastic books are listed in random order:

Beyond the Bright Sea - by Lauren Wolk

Refugee - by Alan Gratz

The War I Finally Won - by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

The Wonderling - by Mira Bartok

The Librarian of Auschwitz - by Antonio Iturbe

The Whiz Mob - by Colin Meloy

Hello, Universe - by Erin Entrada Kelly

The Lifters - by Dave Eggers

Bronze and Sunflower - by Cao Wenxuan

Nevermoor ~ The Trials of Morrigan Crow - by Jessica Townsend

Grab one of these great novels and a glass of cold lemonade. Enjoy!

Whimsical Word of the Week

Whelve (v.)
to bury something deep; to hide.
Example: The warrior troll decided to whelve his treasure for safekeeping. 

Bibliophile's Corner

The Wonderful Things You Will Be
by Emily Winfield Martin

Flap Copy Description:

Caring, bold, and clever.
What will you grow up to be?

This book is a celebration of possibilities and the love parents feel for their children...whoever and whatever they may become.

My Thoughts:
 I loved The Wonderful Things You Will Be. This picture book brought to mind some of the books I read to my three sons (who are all now adults) when they were little boys! The rhythmic rhymes and beautiful illustrations in Emily Winfield Martin's book convey the loving message that every child is loved...and special. I highly recommend it to children aged three to seven! (It would also make a great baby shower gift!)

Click here to learn about the author/illustrator Emily Winfield Martin.

Storyteller's Journey

Cover art by Michael Lindstrom

The Book Giveaway Winners!

Last March I posted a Book Giveaway Contest featuring my book The Tale of Willaby Creek. Here's the list of the lucky winners:

* Marcie Mallory
* Za Vue
* Tim Young

I'll be sending a signed copy of my middle grade novel with a matching bookmark to each of these winners.
Congratulations! Thanks to everyone who participated!

Be sure to check out my blog next Friday, June 8th; my annual Summer Reading List will be posted here on Writ of Whimsy!