“IT IS THE POSSIBILITY OF HAVING A DREAM COME TRUE THAT MAKES LIFE INTERESTING.” – PAULO COELHO IT ALL STARTED WITH A DREAM… I wanted to be a writer as soon as I was able to read at age four. I loved meeting new characters and plunging into their worlds, and I wanted to create… Read more »
Here’s a video I did during my lunch break today at Children’s Book World in L.A. Kevin Winston helps run my college alum network, and does a great job of bringing people together. He reached out to me last night to do this video, and I agreed. Kevin is a powerful influencer! He coached me… Read more »
I’m happy to announce that the five winners of my giveaway for The Turtle Ship have been selected! I will be emailing the randomly-picked winners tomorrow, so if you entered the giveaway, please be sure to check your inbox (and spam folder) this week. Each winner will be receiving a signed copy of the book,… Read more »
The launch event for The Turtle Ship took place at Books of Wonder in NYC on Sunday, June 24th! I’ve always wondered what it’s really like for an author to have a launch event. Is it mostly exciting? Mostly stressful? For writers who are introverts (like me), is it mostly terrifying? Here’s an inside look…. Read more »
If you’ll be in NYC on Sunday, June 24, please join us at the launch party for THE TURTLE SHIP! We’ll read a little from the book, chat about the artwork and the story, and will answer audience questions. Hope to see you there! We’re also planning a back-to-school event for L.A. Stay tuned!
Last week, I received a very cool surprise — an advance copy of THE TURTLE SHIP!! It was amazing to hold the actual book in my hands and to flip each page. Colleen‘s paper collage illustrations are stunning and the teeniest tiniest details were crafted with such loving care. The final product is…GORGEOUS. Our wonderful… Read more »
It’s Day 1 of National Picture Book Writing Week! And I’m happy to share my latest interview, in which I talk further about my writing process, what I find challenging about picture books, what my dream job would be if I wasn’t a writer… What’s really cool is that tomorrow’s post will feature artist Colleen… Read more »
Several months ago, writer Paula Yoo contacted me to see if I’d like to be interviewed as one of the guest authors for NAPIBOWRIWEE (National Picture Book Writing Week). Of course I said yes! I’ve admired Paula’s career as a children’s book author and also as a writer for TV shows such as The West… Read more »
During the holidays, a good friend surprised me with a very cool gift. She gifted me a subscription to MasterClass, the online courses that feature luminaries such as Judy Blume, James Patterson and R.L. Stine. What a perfect gift for a nerd like me! I’ve always loved school, so I devoured the courses, pausing the… Read more »
Meet Eloise the friendly pig. She lives not too far away from us at a friend’s house. When I first met Eloise, she was afraid of me. Actually, she was terrified! Uh, Eloise, I think I should be the frightened one! Eloise could crush me in a second! But no, Eloise is too friendly and… 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
