An unexpected package arrived the other day from Penguin Random House, the publisher of my upcoming picture book THE PAPER KINGDOM (release date: February 18, 2020). If you’re a subscriber to my website, you already know the contents of the package because I just sent out my first newsletter exclusive to subscribers! (If you’ve subscribed… Read more »
My latest article for the SCBWI is up! Check out the Seven Things I Learned After Publishing My First Book. I had to respect the word-count limit for the article. Otherwise, I would’ve written about a hundred things I learned!
Join me at the Montana Branch of the Santa Monica Library on April 30 at 3:30 for a fun reading and a book giveaway. This event is free and open to the public — hope to see you there! More info is here.
Warning #1: This is a long post. Warning #2: Unless you want to be traditionally published, this post may be immensely boring to you. You’ve been warned. Okay, why did I write this post? Because I wanted to do something to help aspiring authors who may land on my website. I was an aspiring author… Read more »
Hello, lovelies! Hope you had a chocolate-filled Valentine’s Day 🙂 I’m so happy to announce that Candlewick Press has acquired my manuscript, SORA’S SEASHELLS! The deal announcement from Publisher’s Weekly is below. I get to work with brilliant editor Kate Fletcher, who edited Meg Medina’s MERCI SUAREZ CHANGES GEARS — the 2019 Newbery Award-winning novel…. Read more »
Pascal Campion is the mega talented artist who is illustrating my next picture book, The Paper Kingdom. And…*drum roll*…his illustration is on the cover of The New Yorker!!! I love his nighttime scenes, and this one is so, so beautiful. Check out his interview here. What’s really amazing is that Pascal mentions Jean-Jacques Sempé as… Read more »
I can’t believe 2018 is almost over! It was a truly memorable year, a year of firsts. First book published, first launch party in NYC, first international school visit, first time I had to decline a speaking engagement (in Paris of all places!) simply because I couldn’t make the time…the list goes on. I have… Read more »
WOW. Just wow! We had the pleasure and privilege of staying at the Four Seasons Sayan in beautiful Bali. The resort blew me away with its beauty, elegance and harmony with nature. I think it may be one of the top ten hotels I’ve ever stayed in — perhaps one of the top five. We… Read more »
September 8th was a great day, a day that’ll live on in my memory! So many lovely people showed up for our L.A. book event — it was standing room only! Over a hundred people were in the audience, and like during our NYC event, kids asked some of the best questions: Will the book… Read more »
Colleen and I hope to see everyone on September 8 at 2:30 pm for our book event at Children’s Book World in Los Angeles! Below is the invitation graphic. Also, click here for a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at Colleen’s artistic process. I’m so fortunate to have worked with such a talented artist, and you can… Read more »
You can now find a touch of Paris on Pico—YOUPI!!!🇫🇷
I’ve stopped by @ludivine_paris_bakery nearly every week since they opened their cafe a few months ago. It’s a genuine Parisian patisserie run by a French family. I love their caramelized custard caneles (just like the ones I had while living abroad in France), and imho, their macarons are better than Laduree’s (less sweet). Their salmon tartine makes a perfect lunch (the crème fraiche spread with dill and the crusty sourdough bread are absolutely divine!) Can you tell this place puts me in a good mood?! I’m happy to let them expand my waistline 😁💗
#ludivineparis #patisserie #macarons #frenchbakery #foodie #foodiesofinstagram
I am 100% obsessed with the Big Island of Hawai’i!! Years ago, I made a coworker weep in her office with amazing tales of the Magical Island (my nickname for the place)—night snorkeling with manta rays, viewing Saturn through telescopes on the summit of Mauna Kea, kayaking in an empty bay when a pod of spinner dolphins leaped into the air and invited us to swim with them (no joke—when we dove into the water, they brushed up gently against us…maybe they thought we had food??). This recent trip was full of magic yet again. I was too busy marveling at the wild horses, steaming volcano, and gentle turtles in the water to take many photos, but here’s a little taste of the coolest island, which transforms from an arid moonscape of lava rocks near Kona to a lush valley in the north. I already miss it!! 😩 #ineedatan #bigisland #ilovehawaii #palestpersononthebeach
Happy Labor Day, everyone! Thanks especially to all the essential workers who are continually keeping our communities safe and clean.❤️ #laborday #thepaperkingdombook #essentialworkers
I got enough probiotics to last a decade, thanks to a fabulous kimchi tasting bonanza🔥👍 The event featured: excellent food & vaccinated friends ✅ Korean-themed decor + matching tees ✅ a happy/tired Sherwin who loved the unmarinated meat (check out his smile on our drive home—last photo) ✅ Thanks for a wonderful time, @elkinmama 💗 Great kimchi selection, @sjna 🥵👏
Holy smokes, we received the most delicious and caloric gift yesterday from good friends—delivered in a cooler shipped from Cincinnati 🥰 Have you tried @graeters ice cream?? We immediately sampled two flavors…dangerously good. Three Michelin stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ #graeters
