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. Below are two links for you to view.

Click here for my summer reading list for kids.

Click here to read my recent quarterly newsletter. 

Coronado, CA - Pt. Loma in the distance

Have a spectacular summer!

Whimsical Word of the Week

Ludic - (adj.)
full of fun and high spirits.
Example: The ludic librarian instilled a sense of wonder in children as they wandered amongst the bookshelves.

Bibliophile's Corner

The Path Made Clear
Discovering Your Life's Direction and Purpose

by Oprah Winfrey

Flap Copy Description:
Everyone has a purpose. And, according to Oprah Winfrey, "Your real job in life is to figure out as soon as possible what that is, who you are meant to be, and begin to honor your calling in the best way possible."

That journey starts right here.

In her latest book, The Path Made Clear, Oprah shares what she sees as a guide for activating your deepest vision of yourself, offering the framework for creating not just a life of success, but one of significance. The book's ten chapters are organized to help you recognize the important milestones along the road to self-discovery, laying out what you really need in order to achieve personal contentment, and what life's detours are there to teach us.

Oprah opens each chapter by sharing her own key lessons and the personal stories that helped set the course for her best life. She then brings together wisdom and insights from luminaries in a wide array of fields, inspiring readers to consider what they're meant to do in the world and how to pursue it with passion and focus. These renowned figures share the greatest lessons from their own journeys toward a life filled with purpose.

Paired with over 100 awe-inspiring photographs to help illuminate the wisdom of these messages, The Path Made Clear provides readers with a beautiful resource for achieving a life lived in service of your calling - whatever it may be. 

My Thoughts:
For the last two weeks I've featured book reviews that are primarily for adults, before I take my summer break from blogging. Oprah Winfrey's The Path Made Clear is the perfect summer read for all adults. The beautiful book is insightful and inspirational. There are bits of wisdom sprinkled throughout it that will speak to all adult readers - no matter where they're at along their personal path. This book is a must read!

Click here to read fourteen inspirational quotes from Oprah Winfrey.

Storyteller's Journey

My Annual Summer Reading List!

Once again it's time to feature my favorite books for children (aged 8 and up) that I've read since last autumn. Merely select a title, click on it, and read my review. Enjoy!

The following fantastic books are listed in random order:

The Girl Who Drew Butterflies - by Joyce Sidman

Caterpillar Summer - by Gillian McDunn 

Front Desk - by Kelly Yang

Counting Birds - by Heidi Stemple

Finding Langston - by Lesa Cline-Ransome

Island War - by Patricia Reilly Giff

Louisiana's Way Home - by Kate DiCamillo

Little Man Little Man - by James Baldwin

The Only Road - by Alexandra Diaz 

The King of the Golden River - by John Ruskin

There's something for everyone on the list. Enjoy reading this summer!

Whimsical Word of the Week

Kelig - (n.)
butterflies in one's stomach.
Example: The teacher was feeling a sense of kelig as she prepared for her first day teaching summer school.

Bibliophile's Corner

Helen Oxenbury
a life in illustration
by Leonard S. Marcus

Flap Copy Description:
A fascinating, beautiful, and definitive account of the life of esteemed artist Helen Oxenbury.Filled with insights that span Helen Oxenbury's life -- from her early childhood through a career in children's books that started in the 1960s and is still going strong today -- here is an exquisitely designed and thoroughly entertaining celebration of one of the finest illustrators of our time. Written by acclaimed author Leonard S. Marcus, Helen Oxenbury: A Life in Illustration is a keepsake that is sure to engage and delight everyone from scholars to art aficionados, as well as the many fans who have grown up with Helen Oxenbury's enchanting books.

My Thoughts:
This book came across my path as I was perusing literary articles on Twitter. The whimsical cover art grabbed me right away. Little did I know that Helen Oxenbury - a life in illustration would introduce me to the talented illustrator of so many well-known children's books! Learning about the journey of an artist or writer is something I always enjoy. Ms. Oxenbury's creative path is especially inspirational and entertaining. I highly recommend Helen Oxenbury - a life in illustration to any adult who loves art and children's books!

Click here to learn about the author, Leonard S. Marcus.

Storyteller's Journey

Rafflecopter Giveaway Winners!

After nearly 2000 thousand entries (1998) it's finally time to announce the winners of my Spring Rafflecopter Giveaway! Thanks to everyone that participated. Here are the winners:


Grand Prize Winner of a signed copy of each of my three books, plus matching bookmarks - Cassandra Darens

Winners of one signed copy of The Tale of Willaby Creek, & matching bookmark - Steve Weber, Rachel Griesmer, and Sarah Meyer

Winner of one $50.00 Amazon Gift Card - Carol Riggs

Winners of a $25.00 Amazon Gift Card - 

Nicole Martin and Anna Furyk

I've contacted each of the winners; if your name is listed here, and you did not receive an email, please contact me via Twitter or Messenger. 

Again, thanks so much to everyone that participated. Congratulations, to all the winners!

Wishing everyone a wonderful summer! Happy reading. 😃

Whimsical Word of the Week

Neologize - (v.)
to make or use new words, or create new meanings for existing words.
Example: The college professor loved to neologize in the midst of his classes, causing confusion for his students.

Bibliophile's Corner

The Orphans of Normandy
by Nancy Amis

Flap Copy Description:
Allons, enfants, vite, vite! When the Allies invaded Normandy on June 6, 1944, one hundred orphaned girls were forced to flee their orphanage in Caen, France, the only home many of them had ever known. They began a trek on foot to a safer location, to Beaufort-en-Vallée, a town one hundred and fifty miles away. As the war raged on all sides of them, the girls, led by their teachers, bravely marched south, keeping one step ahead of the fighting and waving little white flags for protection. Told through their own drawings and words, this moving and timely book details their experiences on their journey to safety.

My Thoughts:
This book came across my path as I was researching the children of France during World War II; The Orphans of Normandy is a fantastic debut for Nancy Amis! Reproductions of the original words and drawings by the orphaned girls tell the harrowing true story of their escape from Caen, France, to safety. I highly recommend this picture book to all young readers; it's a great way to introduce children to the importance of the Allies' invasion on D Day, as well as the cost of war.

For children, click here for facts on D Day the Invasion of Normandy.