Whimsical Word of the Week

Coddiwomple (v.)

to travel in a purposeful manner toward a vague destination.

Example: The wayward duckling seemed to coddiwomple around the lake's shoreline.

 

Bibliophile's Corner

Let's Celebrate!

Special Days Around the World

by Kate DePalma and illustrated by Martina Peluso

Back Cover Description:

Let's bake some treats! Let's light the lights! We just can't wait for fun days and bright nights. Celebrate special days in 13 countries.

My Thoughts:

At this time of year, there are so many special days celebrated by so many wonderful groups of people. It's important for children to learn - at an early age - about the different ways people celebrate. It's an important step in learning to respect others different than ourselves. I highly recommend Let's Celebrate for children aged three to seven.

Click here to learn about the author, Kate DePalma.

Storyteller's Journey

Grateful, Thankful, Blessed!

Each year I use the Thanksgiving season to review all that I have to be thankful for - this year I find I'm more thankful than ever. From the safety our family found during a frightening forest fire, to the American people stating their strong beliefs about democracy during the past election, this year has given me much for which to be thankful. As always, the relationships with my dear family and friends are my biggest blessings. 

Wishing you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving Weekend!🦃 

Whimsical Word of the Week

Panegyric (n.)

a public speech or published text in praise of someone or something.

Example: The mayor's panegyric for the community's outreach to the homeless at Thanksgiving was well received.

Bibliophile's Corner

Just a Special Thanksgiving

by Mercer Mayer

Back Cover Description:

Little Critter is about to have a Thanksgiving he'll never forget. From the school play to a surprise dinner for all of Critterville, celebrate along with Little Critter and his family as they give thanks this holiday!

My Thoughts:

The classic Mercer Mayer Little Critter books are so much fun, and this one about Thanksgiving is no exception! This paperback book even includes stickers for your child to place at the appropriate place in the story. I highly recommend Just a Special Thanksgiving for children aged two to six.

Storyteller's Journey

Livvi Biddle Comes to Life

Eleven years ago, I began researching, outlining, and ultimately writing a middle grade novel about a young girl I named Livvi Biddle. (The simple sketch at the left was something I created for my own use as I proceeded with my manuscript.)

Since that time, I've grown as a writer, learned a lot about the publishing world, submitted queries to over two dozen agents, and continued to research and outline additional stories in what I've always hoped would be a middle grade series. My husband and I even traveled to Europe, in large part for me to do the research needed for the stories set in different countries. We also collaborated to create and publish a small, separate series of books we call Lindstrom Wintertime Tales. To be able to publish them the way we wanted to, I formed a publishing company: Thistleberry Books. We had them printed, at our expense, by one of the same printers that major publishers use.

In all that time, Livvi Biddle has always been my main focus, if not in public, at least in my heart as a writer. One exciting thing that has happened in the last decade is the improvement of how an author might publish her own work. It used to be that independently published books could only be created as paperbacks in portrait format. (Unless you did what we did with our Lindstrom Wintertime Tales.) Now, you can finally have a children's novel printed on demand in hardback via Amazon. While, of course, Create Space takes their cut, the author's portion is comparable to what she'd make via a traditional publisher - after the agent and illustrator took their cut. Since I have my own wonderful illustrator - my fine artist husband, Michael Lindstrom - and I don't need an agent, publishing independently has suddenly not only become an acceptable choice, but it's also become my first choice.

So, today I'm announcing that Livvi Biddle - The Sibylline Scroll will be published next year! The release date will be sometime in the fall of 2023. To receive occasional updates, follow this blog, or subscribe to my quarterly newsletter via my website here on the Contact Page.

Now comes more work with my editor, book formatter, cover designer, etc. It's so exciting to know that Livvi Biddle will finally come to life.

I'm looking forward to you meeting my protagonist, Livvi Biddle!

Whimsical Word of the Week

Hygge (n.)

The cozy feeling you get when you're enjoying simple things in life with friends.

Example: The holiday season was always a time for the writer to enjoy a sense of hygge with family at home.