Whimsical Word of the Week

Revivication - (n.)
renewal of life; restoration of life.
Example: September was always the start of a new beginning for the author - a season of revivication.

 

Bibliophile's Corner

Einstein - The Fantastic Journey of a Mouse Through Space and Time
by Torben Kuhlmann

Flap Copy Description:

Award-winning illustrator Torben Kuhlmann's brilliant new book bends time and imagination! Suppose Albert Einstein's famous theories first came into being through an encounter with a little mouse... 

When an inventive mouse misses the biggest cheese festival in the world, he's determined to turn back time.

My Thoughts:

Being an avid reader who loves books about Einstein, Torben Kuhlmann's picture book was a must read - it's extraordinary! Not only is the story imaginative - and the artwork timeless - the author incudes lots of fun facts about Einstein at the end of the beautiful picture book. I highly recommend Einstein - The Fantastic Journey of a Mouse Through Space and Time to all budding scientists!

Click here to learn about the author/illustrator Torben Kuhlmann.

Storyteller's Journey

Arrival of Autumn

Each September I'm brought back to #2 pencils, school bus rides, and football games. Even as an adult those events come to mind each fall, though it's been decades since those idyllic days. 

As an adult, I enjoy the falling leaves, crisp mornings, and even the rain that is so reliable here in the Pacific Northwest. There seems to be more time to read (and write) during the less hectic autumn months, though I'm just now getting settled into our new home - Fern Hill.

Click here to read my recent quarterly newsletter.

Wishing each of you a fantastic fall season full of reading and writing!

Whimsical Word of the Week

Susurrous - (adj.)
full of whispering or rustling sounds.
Example: The autumn wind wended through the trees leaving a susurrous whisper in its wake.

Hope you enjoy a lovely autumn season reading fantastic books!

Bibliophile's Corner

The Blue Hour
by Isabelle Simler

Goodreads Description:

A lovely and tranquil celebration of nature.

The sun has set, the day has ended, but the night hasn't quite arrived yet. This magical twilight is known as the blue hour. Everything in nature sky, water, flowers, birds, foxes comes together in a symphony of blue to celebrate the merging of night and day.

My Thoughts:

Since the color of blue is a passion of mine, when I see a children's book that features that color in some way, I always take a look. The Blue Hour did not disappoint! The lovely text addresses all sorts of creatures who can be seen at twilight, and who in some way represent the color blue - and  Ms. Simler's artwork is exquisite! This award-winning book would be a great addition to the library in your home.

Click here to learn about the author/illustrator, Isabelle Simler.

Storyteller's Journey

The Summer of '21

If you follow me at all, then you know that my summer was different than most: My husband and I spent the summer working on our "new" home set amidst the rural wooded foothills of our county in Washington State. 

That being said, we did find free time to occasionally explore the "Common Area" that the residents of our small community all share. This covered bridge acts as a meeting place for monthly get-togethers during the summer months. We were so happy to learn that our neighbors are also nature lovers.

(These surroundings have already sparked new story ideas in my mind; hopefully one of them will actually become a manuscript!)

I took this photo of the young doe from the front porch of our new home. Multiple deer have become regular visitors on our property, although we are always reminding ourselves that we are the real visitors in their woodland home!

However, most of my summer was spent holding the handle of a paint brush or sander. (I ended up painting seven rooms - yes, seven!) Here is our living room; the floor has since been sanded, stained, & lacquered.

You know you're a bibliophile when you make your formal dining room a library! Here's the color I painted my little library. This floor has also been completed. (We converted our family room/kitchen to country kitchen.)

Here, in a photo from early July, I'm painting our master bedroom. The smiley face is to remind me to maintain a positive attitude, since I initially chose a green much too dark for the room. (I had to repaint most of the bedroom!) I hope to never use the words: Kilz, cut-in, or Gator Tape again. That being said, I must admit that I learned some lessons that are already resonating in my writer life - I'll post about that soon!

In the weeks ahead, I'll get back on my regular writing and reading schedule. While we only moved in three weeks ago, I must get my literary juices going again. (Submissions to agents are coming too!)

Hope you had a fantastic summer & are inspired to create this autumn!

Whimsical Word of the Week

Collywobbles (n.)

intense nervousness, especially with stomach queasiness.
Example: The first day of school always gave the young student an episode of collywobbles.

Bibliophile's Corner

Dr. Fauci
How a Boy from Brooklyn Became America's Doctor

by Kate Messner

Flap Copy Description:

Growing up in Brooklyn, New York, Anthony Fauci was always asking questions. He longed to know how the world worked, from the fish in his aquarium to the stars and galaxies. His curiosity and love of science led him to become a doctor. And his talent for working with people helped him become America's doctor - a crucial voice for science and medicine during some of the country's most challenging moments, especially the COVID-19 pandemic.

This definitive picture book biography of Dr. Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, shows readers that to become a scientist, you must have an open mind, keep learning, and never give up. Award-winning author Kate Messner personally interviewed Dr. Fauci to tell his story, and his own tips for future scientists are included in the back of the book, as well as facts about how vaccines work and much more.

My Thoughts:

This informative and entertaining picture book not only includes tips for future scientists, it opens a window into the life of an accomplished American icon. It's always inspirational to learn about the childhood of one of our heroes; Kate Messner nailed it with lovely tidbits from Dr. Fauci's early upbringing. I highly recommend Dr. Fauci - How a Boy from Brooklyn Became America's Doctor to children of all ages!

Click here to learn about the author, Kate Messner.
Click here to learn about the illustrator, Alexandra Bye.