Deb's Doings - 2008

December 30, 2008

If you were to receive a Christmas card from us, it would pretty much be a crammed version of this journal, so please consider yourselves “greeted.” I think the last letter we mailed out was after Kaj’s birth. But, here’s a little bit about the rest of my family…

Karl and Kaj

Kaj is off skiing with his cousin Aaron today, on his 12th birthday. It’s been an amazing year for Kaj – changing schools, still playing marimba but taking a break from tap, playing flute, singing, and soon starting his own blog. He’s a fun kid who keeps us laughing and makes us proud.

Sandra participated in a three-day basketball camp this week and loved it. She had a great soccer season this fall as well. She has almost caught up to Kaj in height, and would like to be a model and actor – and maybe teach sumo wrestling. Her patient godmother Kathy keeps her sewing and dreaming up new projects.

Grandma, Sandra, and Ollie getting his new sweater

Jean is an action kid. His pogo stick just arrived, and he’s bouncing up a storm. Jean adores animals – Ollie and Sparkle, our dog and cat, are direct recipients of his love and exuberance. Jean is a singer and sports lover who is pouring through “readers” these days, FROG AND TOAD and JUNIE B. JONES being current favorites.

Jean reads to Mama

Our biggest news this year is Karl’s invitation to sing with the Brothers Four. We both remember singing along with them years ago, and this journey with them has blessed us all in many ways.

Deb & Karl singing at the Brothers Four “Welcome Karl!” concert

So, consider yourself on our Christmas list now, and thank you to our family and friends who send us love in their cards or hearts all these years with hardly a word from us. We’re grateful and humbled. Blessings for 2009 from the Lund Olsen bunch.

December 21, 2008

5:00 am. The snow continues. Days of it now. I’ve never seen this on Whidbey. We’re not up to the 2 feet that I trudged through when Kaj was born, but that came and left more quickly. Today is Jean’s 7th birthday. No one will come out to celebrate in this snow. It’s also the day of his Little Drummer Boy solo – his singing debut. Postponed. What will the day bring? We’ll see…

All is well. The annual bonfire appeared, and Karl chained up to collect good neighborhood friends to join us. Several snow people also appeared around the fire, and as always, songs of light were offered to celebrate the solstice boy.

Sweet dreams, birthday boy!

December 19, 2008

It’s been a crazy, fun week here. I was finally feeling like I was over the Japan jet lag and then the snow hit. This is a rare event for Whidbey Island. It took a couple days for the truck of new sleds to make it here, but we were in line to pick up three of them. Ollie tried keeping up with the kids, attacking them both up and down hills on sleds, but when the novelty of his excitement wore off, they dropped him off indoors, where he tried to track their activities through various windows.

Long-time residents here say we’ve never had snow that continued to fall over so many days. One local man thought maybe 50 years ago was the closest. But most of us here will remember the historic snowstorm back at the end of 1996. It didn’t last as long, but it came down like snowballs and didn’t stop until we hit a couple feet. That’s not unusual for northern Minnesota, where I grew up, but out here without the support that’s built in to snowy climates, snow stops everything. Except birth, as we found out during that one, now 12 years ago.

Anyway, it’s gorgeous here – snow clinging to our lofty trees, sunlight filtering through them. I needed to cancel my visit to A Book For All Seasons in Leavenworth. I LOVE that store. It’s like coming home when I go there. We’re hoping to find a date in 2009, but for now, I’m home playing in the snow.

See? It really does come down like snowballs here.

My mom is here, arrived last Friday on a ticket that was her Christmas present from Basil. Mom and Basil – that’s a story for another time. Thanks, Basil.

Kaj’s first band concert was on the 10th. He’s playing flute in band, and just like when he sings, it’s a clear, on-pitch tone. I had to miss Laini Taylor’s talk in Seattle that night (and any time with Laini is always fun), but it was great to hear how the middle school bands are progressing.

Kaj Fredrik played Frederick in Whidbey Dance Theater’s production of The Nutcracker. Two weekends, four performances on each one, was the culmination of their many weeks of rehearsals. It’s an incredible community and has done so much for Kaj. He did a great job dancing and acting with great expressions and focus. Grandma was thrilled to be there, and I think she was probably surprised to see how professional this production is, considering it’s right here on little Whidbey Island. It wouldn’t seem like Christmas without attending at least one of the performances.

Tonight is our annual caroling party with Wylie and Ginny Vracin and friends. We eat, carol down the streets in a wagon or on foot, sing with the folks at Careage and Whidbey General Hospital, and then head back to Vracins for our final good-byes.

Christmas secrets

Kaj and friend

December 13, 2008

Stepping into Mockingbird Books for the first time was love at first sight for me. This store had an almost instant following when it opened in the Green Lake area. It’s so easy to head off I-5 a couple blocks to get there – I can already tell it’s going to be a regular part of our “mainland” errands. You can’t find a better staff. Those of us who still mourn the loss of “All For Kids Books and Music” can find comfort in seeing familiar faces at Mockingbird Books. When you visit their web site, you’ll be amazed at the experience of Mockingbird’s personnel. If you need a good read (check out the special adult area) or the perfect gift for any kid in your life, they can find it for you.

More adults than children showed up for my reading, but they were an attentive, lively group. The kids wore construction hats, played with my big monster blow-ups, the train set, and the art table. It was like a preschool and bookstore all in one. Mockingbird has a daily 11:00 storytime. Oh – and a lovely little coffee shop area right in the store. What else would you need?

December 10, 2008

A little dress up fun from an unearthed box of Mama’s theater stuff for kids…

December 1, 2008

I’m back from Japan! I got to play groupie on the Brothers Four Japan tour. We left November 21. Karl will be back a week from today. It was an amazing experience. I’ll let Karl’s travel blog fill you in on the details.

Jason Rome, a ten year old who has been emailing me for a couple years (initially to ask permission to use DINOSAILORS in a film he was making), now lives in Japan. His parents, Geena and Tom, made a 3-hr. or so trip with him to the Brothers Four concert in Fukuoka. It was wonderful to meet them, to share an evening of great music, and to make plans for our next meeting. I had hoped to do a school visit at Jason’s school, but we soon figured out there wasn’t enough time on this trip. It looks like I’ll return there in the spring.

With all Jason’s attention on my dinobooks, I didn’t want Dirty Dugg, Stinky Stubb, Melvina, or Gorbert to feel left out, so I took these pictures (and many others) for my MONSTERS ON MACHINES…

November 12, 2008

Tonight I presented at the SCBWI monthly meeting to a packed house. Lois Brandt originally asked me to talk about marketing. After I burst out laughing, we settled on the topic of school visits, information which a few SCBWI members had already requested from me. I had sent out a survey to WLMA (Washington Library Media Association) to see what they had to say about school visits – what they wanted, what worked, what didn’t – they even shared their horror stories. Basically, they want authors to involve the kids, to be personable and entertaining, and to teach them something, not just promote their books. Our SCBWI chapter makes the best audience. They were roaring with laughter, which only got me going more. Thank goodness for friends like Jaime Temairik who don’t mind me picking on them. Speaking of Jamie – check out her fun artwork at www.chompoblog.com.

November 9, 2008

Thursday night, Linnea Good and part of her family spent the night with us after her concert here on Whidbey. When they’re around, we don’t sleep much. We love our talks, laughter, and late-night sharing so much we don’t want it to end. Then, of course, I was too wound up to sleep, and off I went the next morning to the Western Washington SCBWI fall retreat. I love this weekend. Last year it was off in the mountains, where we were greeted with a layer of snow. This year it was “Weekend on the Water” at Alderbrook Resort near Gig Harbor. I’d go anywhere to hear Patti Lee Gauch speak, and Darcy Pattison’s mind always amazes me.

Thanks for these pictures, Darcy!

A few friends who came to play…

Meg Lippert

Cathy Benson

Joni Sensel

Jolie Stekly

Jaime Temairik

Broadway Bound

October 26, 2008

The Imagine Children’s Museum put together a large “sandbox” to celebrate my new book. Raniere, the incredible artist/director/visionary, had construction machinery planted in their box of rubber chips. Kids played, I read, parents laughed. We didn’t even get to all the fun craft projects Raniere planned. What a monster of a day!

October 25, 2008

Troika is back! That’s how George Shannon dubbed our book-event threesome at our first joint book event years ago. It’s always more fun with my buddies around. This time, George set up an event for the release of Monsters on Machines and Kathryn Galbraith’s new book Boo Bunny. I love seeing George down on the floor with little ones, cutting, pasting, telling stories. He brings such love and laughter into our times together. This was the second event this month that Kathryn and I did together. Last Wednesday we were at the Ballard Public Library with Secret Garden Books. The new library is amazing, and we were able to “tour” the live rooftop. Secret Garden Bookshop, a yummy kids’ book store right in the heart of Ballard, is such a great place to spend time, but without an event room, this wonderful library is a good match for them. Check out both!

October 24, 2008

I was back at Coupeville Elementary once more – this time for an early-release program. We roped off part of the gym with “Construction Zone” tape and cones, and I entertained kids with monster and construction songs and stories. Along with librarian Leslie Bakker, we drew plans for what we wanted in the new kids’ room at the library. What a great celebration for my monsters and for the new library construction project.

October 18, 2008

I just love working with Kari Yadros at Lynnwood Barnes & Noble. What a gift she brings to that big box store. She’s creative, energetic, and one of those people that you instantly think of as your long-lost daughter and best friend all in one. We sampled teas, talked education, and connected with other authors and lots of book lovers.

October 14, 2008

I sure wish Olympia was closer! Kirby Larson, Bonny Becker, and I traveled down for a book signing, and I got to meet Rhonda. I’m amazed at how lucky Barnes & Noble has been to find such talented and hard-working people for their Community Relations Managers. Rhonda set up a wonderful table of authors near a tea-tasting stand in honor of their area teachers. The best part of that long ride was spending it with friends.

October 11, 2008

Karl was able to join me at Northgate for a Barnes & Noble teacher appreciation tea. It was a small crowd, but who wouldn’t expect that with the summery day we had. Sweet Lisa was a gracious host, and we enjoyed a sit-down tea and goodies event that was relaxing and delicious. After picking up Sandra from soccer, Karl and I did the kid swap, and he was off to a Brothers Four concert. It’s nice to have these glimpses of him.

October 10, 2008

Bonny Becker, Kathryn Galbraith, and I gave a panel discussion at the WLMA (Washington Library Media Association) conference. The three of us have taught writing in a variety of venues and levels, and our audience had amazing questions. Some of my favorite discussions happened after the presentation and throughout the day as I ran into librarians who had attended our presentation. Special thanks to Craig Seasholes for our great introduction. Craig is the gracious administrator of the WLMA listserv.

Here’s the blurb from our offering:

Writerkidz - From Reading to Writing (and back again).

A team of writing-teacher authors shares their secrets for successful writing with students. This demonstration and discussion of activities using personal stories, prompts, senses, word choice, and story structure will help you get kids writing. Enrich your students' literary experiences through the reading-writing connection.

October 8, 2008

I love Peggy Marcellus. She’s the Scholastic Book Fair rep for our area. Peggy and I met at ALA in Seattle a couple years ago, and we’ve been in touch here and there – mostly when she asks me to speak to area librarians and parents. This time it was at Everett’s Hillcrest Elementary School. My kids love joining me on these outings, because Peggy usually has a little surprise for them, and always something fun to eat. I love going, because I get to meet great people, and spend time with funny, compassionate, humble Peggy.

October 5, 2008

“Inside Story” is another event that sets the Western Washington SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators) apart from other SCBWI chapters. Each fall and spring, members with new books being released gather at a bookstore with area booksellers and librarians to give a 3-minute talk on the “inside story” of their book. They don’t want you to read it – just tell them the tidbits about the book that they won’t find anywhere else. I got to tell them about growing up with construction machinery, including the rides in the front loader and digging holes in our yard with the backhoe. Who knew where all that experience was leading me!

Kathryn Galbraith and Deb – making plans for their joint signings and events!

Sandra meets one of her favorite authors

Remember the picture of Kaj and Sandra reading together (August 23)? Yup. CAGES, by Peg Kehret.

October 1, 2008

Lynnwood Children’s Bookshop has to be one of my kids’ favorite book event places. It’s got all the books they want, and toys, toys, toys! Ed reminds me of my Minnesota friends and family – another soft-spoken Scandinavian. Amber Kizer, David Patenaude, and Bonny Becker were the other authors at the event. It was great to catch up with them, and to discover that Amber is Rachel Kizer’s daughter. I had no idea she was here on Whidbey, too.

September 27, 2008

The kidlit bloggers conference in Portland may have changed my life – at least, the busyness of it. We’ll see as time goes on! I’m playing around with a few blog ideas that will hopefully appear with the new year. I’ll tell you more about the wonderful friends and adventures later, but the links you’ll find on the KidLit08 blog will give you more than a taste of the weekend’s fun and learning. Click on each name to see their blog version of the conference experiences.

September 22, 2008

Karl took off on the Brothers Four West-Coast Tour with the Kingston Trio. He’ll be gone for three weeks. Yikes! Three weeks filled with lots of book events and kid juggling. Exciting days here in the Lund/Olsen household.

It’s been transition-into-school time here. We had open houses at Langley Middle School and Coupeville Elementary. Our two younger kids are in the Coupeville district. They have a long bus ride from here, but with friends and books, it’s not too bad for them. Our oldest, Kaj, is going out-of-district this year. When Karl’s around, he takes him down to work with him in Freeland, and Kaj catches the bus to Langley from there. He’s enjoying the new school, and is mostly keeping up with the homework.

I’m excited about the upcoming Kid Lit Bloggers Conference a week from today. I’m sure you’ll see changes here soon!

September 9, 2008

Jul and Deb bookend the Bike & Write 08 Class Photo

I attended the South Sound Reading Foundation’s fundraiser in Olympia. Karl and I sang, I read a story, and we signed, ate, visited, and enjoyed chatting with my friends Kirby Larson and Bonny Becker who rode down with us. I love supporting literacy organizations, and I’m grateful for all they do for kids. Rhonda from Barnes & Noble was there with our books, and proceeds benefited the organization. This was an especially fun evening, more laid-back and personal than I imagined. Karl came along to serenade the crowd, and lots of old Brothers Four fans sang along. An evening to remember, with plans to repeat it this coming year. Maybe we’ll see you there next time!

Deb and Sue Kaelin, Karl’s past principal

August 23, 2008

My best friends when I was little were identical twins. Judy and Julie Pederson. Today is their birthday, the day they catch up to me, the older, wiser one a half-year ahead of them. Why don’t those words give me the satisfaction they gave me back then? I always think of them on this day, though we rarely see each other. We’ll be getting together next summer for our class reunion in Menahga, Minnesota. If you went to school with us, whether you graduated or not, moved away, or otherwise didn’t get that diploma with us, we’d still like to see you. Let me know where you are!

Sometimes, when there’s a book around, these two forget to keep score…

Kaj and Sandra reading together

It’s been a full month with a new book, including events at Children’s Bookshop, Kingfisher Books, and Third Place Books, summer camps for the kids, a cruise for Heritage Institute instructors, and a reception for the release of Hometown Heroes. HH is the love-child of my friend Susan Knickerbocker. It’s an offering in one of our local papers for the community to get to know someone who has made a contribution to others on south Whidbey. She asked us for months (years?) if we would participate. We finally agreed, and she wrote a lovely article about our family and how we try to live our lives. Now the first book is out – a fundraiser for the “Commons” project, and several of the people featured in Volume One were present at the reception to autograph their pages. If you’d like more information, take a peek at http://www.whidbeyhometownheroes.org/Events_Press.html.

August 18, 2008 - Happy Birthday, Sandra!

Sandra has the best birthday parties. We go to Double Bluff beach to play, eat, and dodge a few raindrops – which scare away the rest of the crowd and leave the beach all to us. This year she entered the double digits!

August 17, 2008 - Bike & Write – Mt. Adams

Thanks to Noah Barfield for these pictures…

Jul and Deb bookend the Bike & Write 08 Class Photo

Worth the up-hill ride, and what a coast down!

The daily journey begins

Deb’s classroom

Echinacea Fields & Mt. Adams

Hiking to our one dinner “out”

For the last few summers, Jul Cuyler and I have taught our four-day “Bike & Write” class. This year we moved it to the base of Mt. Adams. I’ve always loved doing the class here on Whidbey, but the Mt. Adams adventure took me by surprise. I was away. Really away. No running home for missed supplies, no free bus complete with bike rack, no running into people I knew. Those weren’t surprises. Loving it was the surprise. We had the campground to ourselves most of the time, and shared good food, good local fun and culture, and good friendships.

And, while I was away, the rest of my family played at the Island County Fair. Kaj got to be the star soloist with back-up singers and dancers for a few shows at the fair. All the kids got wristbands for unlimited rides.

August 10

It’s not often that Vern and Martha get both kids home, with one coming from Egypt and one from California, but they gathered together this summer to celebrate Dori’s birthday.

Jesse, Martha, Vern, and Dori

Karl’s brother Vern (on the accordion), his son Jesse, and Jean.

More of the Olsen clan

July 27, 2008

Nephew Jesse and Kim were home for a visit from Cairo, Egypt. They brought Egyptian garb for their cousins…

Jean, Sandra, Jesse, Kaj, Kim

July 26, 2008 - Holden Village

I joined my family, already at Holden Village, for their second week there. It’s a second home for our kids. Karl was invited to do music, and I offered to teach a writing class. My session was packed – some had always wanted to write, some were well-published, and some were just curious. What was the draw? Well, here was the blurb we came up with for the session:

Write Now! Writing for the Unwriterly

Does your writer's block need a jack hammer? Whether you've always wanted to write or would rather eat dirt, come free up your inner fool and get permission to play on the page. Bring your resistance and your writing tools. For all writerly ages.

My theory is that we’re all perfectionists. And we all think we’re not worthy. Once you can get on the other side of those blocks, the rest is easy. At least in comparison.

Here are some Holden views to behold, including a newly detoothed smile…

Jean sporting his new look

Karl with “Narnia” kids at Holden

A river runs through it…

July 19, 2008

A dozen years later…

The Port Townsend Writers Conference (http://www.centrum.org/writing/), put on each year by Centrum, right on the water at Fort Worden, was a trip “home” for me. Years ago, Jane Yolen made this conference a destination for children’s writers. Others filled in after that, but it never quite picked up the numbers it had during Jane’s reign. I missed those days, still playing with poetry and writing for adults. It wasn’t until I planned a sabbatical from my teaching that I discovered writing for children. And that’s how I first ended up at Centrum.

I had my masters. At that time, the Oak Harbor school district didn’t know what to do with someone who requested a sabbatical that wasn’t going into an existing study program. Someone else had already asked for a sabbatical, too, so they offered a half-time sabbatical. Half-time? That wasn’t a sabbatical by my definition. Working half-time wouldn’t do it. I already knew that from my half-library and half-music years. I was in the library at the time, a gorgeous facility in the district’s newest building – Hillcrest Elementary.

The compromise we reached was two years of a half-time sabbatical, and two years of an unpaid leave. That gave me a quarter salary for those years. There are so many tangents I could veer off into about that time. There’s the bit about becoming pregnant at forty, after trying for 8 years (and realizing I’d never have time to write so I better get serious about it). There’s the life-changing intensive course that I took from my friend and mentor Christina Baldwin (http://www.storycatcher.com) called “The Self as the Source of the Story,” but this is about the Port Townsend Writing Conference, so that’s what you’ll hear.

The school district wanted a plan – a list of classes and activities equal to a masters program. I mapped out what I wanted to do, and among the list was the Port Townsend Writers Conference. That’s where I met my good friend Fay Robinson, a children’s author. I was visiting the adult fiction and poetry sections of the conference, but decided to join her for the children’s class one morning. I was an elementary librarian after all, and had written numerous stories for my music programs and for use in school. Oh, yeah – and I was on a sabbatical. What could fit better than writing for children?

Anna Grossnickle Hines was the instructor that year. The information was clear. She borrowed and quoted ideas and inspiration from other authors, and I was hooked. Oh, my. I was amazed at how much I knew about writing for children from all my years of teaching and running a library. And even more surprised later when I attended the national SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators) conference that summer with Penny Cooper, another good friend I met at Centrum. It was a nice pat on the back to hear a well-known author tell the crowd to get to know librarians. That was SCBWI’s 25th annual conference. Once in awhile I still run into someone wearing the purple t-shirt signed by the presenters at that conference. Another great event to check out – but back to the topic!

So, here we are, 12 years later, and I’m off to Centrum again. Not pregnant this time, unless you want to count the anticipation of sharing what I’ve learned these dozen years. Centrum wanted to build up their program again, so they called Jane to see if she’d come back. She recommended they call me. That was after calling my friend Bonny Becker, who’s teaching in our Whidbey MFA program. She also suggested they contact me. Thanks, friends!

July 6, 2008

Our biggest news, of course, is the release of:

Monsters on Machines

Monsters on Machines cover I’m so excited about this book. I’ve been showing off the preview copies and people are begging for them. As a librarian, I saw oodles of nonfiction construction and heavy machinery picture books being grabbed off the shelves, but there wasn't much available in fiction. Maybe that’s why Mike Mulligan has remained such a favorite all these decades. Robert Neubecker’s playful monsters are the perfect critters to be operating these rigs.

When I was a kid, my dad let me dig in our backyard with his backhoe. He showed me how to operate the levers, and he’d fill in the hole when I was done. I’m sure my mom wasn’t crazy about what it did to the yard, but she let those things go by – even the high rides in the bucket of the loader. When I got a bit older, I held the funnel over the forms for making concrete septic tanks and covers. Once in awhile we’d do a picnic table and benches or a ring for a barbecue pit. The job paid better than any other I could’ve had in Menahga, my little north central Minnesota hometown, and it makes for good inspiration and storytelling.

This morning I got a call from one of my favorite bookstores letting me know the book had finally arrived. Call your local bookstore, and get your copy now! Be part of the buzz!

Monster hugs from me and my family…

The Lund Olsen crew

July 5, 2008

The Whidbey Island Writers Association had a booth at the Bayview Farmers Market. Members were invited to bring five copies of each of their titles. It was a windy day, but my books flew off the table without the wind’s help. If it only worked that well all the time! Volunteer Donna Hood is getting us together at WIWA’s “First Tuesday” events, and out in the public with the market and other activities. Thanks, Donna, for your hard work and creative ideas. If you love to write or to support writing, join us at www.writeonwhidbey.org.

July 1, 2008

Last night we surprised Chauni and Bill Haslett with a good-bye party. With the closing of All For Kids Books & Music in Seattle, many of us are losing our best supporters. As we laughed, cried, shared a meal and stories, our crowd of mostly authors and illustrators lamented and celebrated the end of an era.

Where else would I be asked to sign a couple boxes of books after an author event? Who else would cart my books to preschools and teacher events? What store would allow me to use their event room all day, even past closing time, to host a class I was teaching? What other bookseller would send us postcards from her travels, and dance around the store with our then four-year-old to help him pick out a CD? (If you have the answers to these questions, please let me know!)

This is not a single unfortunate event. Issaquah and Kirkland lost their stores, too. And it’s being repeated everywhere in our country. Independent bookstores exist because of their passion, not their ability to make a living. Folks like Barbara O’Grady of Adventures For Kids in Ventura are closing their doors as well. It’s such an epidemic right now, we should have one of those website counters to track the closings. If you have a bookstore in your neighborhood, think of what you can do to help them stay in business.

It felt like high school graduation last night. Like I was being asked to step out on my own – my mom carefully nudging me out of the nest. My books will do okay. My family and I will keep going on with our lives, but it’s a new chapter.

And so we grieve and rejoice with them. More traveling, more reading, more time for Chauni & Bill to connect with those they love. And more time to send us postcards.

June 25, 2008

Karl and I attended Bob Flick and Loni Anderson’s wedding reception. The love and humor these two shared with their crowd of well wishers made the evening a joyous celebration. The Brothers Four sounded great. We enjoyed seeing faces we’d only seen on the screen before, and a highlight for us was meeting Milt Okun. Milt was John Denver’s publisher, producer, arranger, and good friend. Karl knew Milt’s name well from music he’d performed for many years. After we got home, Karl started to tell our son Kaj about meeting Milt, and before Karl could say anything about him, Kaj interrupted to say, “I know who Milt Okun is!” Oh yeah, our little John Denver. Now he says he’s going to get his hair cut so he looks even more like him.

June 21, 2008

We missed Kaj’s tap recital, but caught this final rehearsal. They were movin’!

June 18, 2008

Here’s Ollie, short for Oliver, used to be Mac, on his one-month anniversary of joining our family. That’s “Pony” with him – his stuffed animal.

Jean and Ollie

June 14, 2008

Washington State History Museum, Tacoma

Karl and I presented songs and stories at the State History Museum in Tacoma to an informal crowd of parents and kids who acted, sang, and got silly with us. The Shifty Sailors followed our presentation, and later we all went sailing on the Sea Scout boat. Many thanks to Stephanie Lile, organizer extraordinaire, for putting together a wonderful day. If you’re around Tacoma, check out the museum. And say hi to Steph from us.

Deb & Karl post-boat trip

June 13, 2008

Even Kindergarten has its own graduation these days. Jean spent a couple afternoons each week with Miss Konni and Rebecca at Ebey’s Academy Kindergarten. He loved them and loved his classmates. I stopped in to do a little music with them each week, and Karl and I wrote a song (Kingergarten Good-bye) for their ceremony. I hope to get it up on my web site for all you music and kindergarten teachers.

Jean and his good buddies Sean and James

Brother Kaj was proud to catch this picture

June 11, 2008

Kaj sang “Movin’ On” at his fifth grade Moving On Ceremony today. Karl was there to work with the fifth grade class on their whole group number, and accompanied Kaj as he sang. Sweet voice. Another generation of music. Middle school? I’m not sure who’s more anxious – Kaj or us. It’ll all work out…

Here’s Kaj with his Presidential Gold Award for Academic Achievement

Kaj spent two years with teacher John Luvera. John’s off to a new position this year, and we’re so grateful to have had Kaj with him for 4th and 5th grade.

After the big fifth grade doings, we scrambled over to the Cedar Program, where Kaj and I spent much of our lives before Coupeville Elementary. David Pfeiffer and I started Cedar when Kaj was in kindergarten. Shamwari, one of Kaj’s marimba groups, played for the Cedar families before their end-of-year “family night.” This night marked Cedar’s first high-school graduation.

Kaj and good friend Marisa Etzell on the marimba

Shamwari

June 10, 2008

I’ve loved the school visits I’ve done this year. Each time I feel I’ve made new friends. Today’s visit was at the second of two schools served by librarian Margo Cunningham. Margo had me visit her other school earlier in the year, and her willingness to sit through another day of my presentations was a great compliment to me. Thanks, Margo!

One of the highlights of my day was observing their fourth grade classes doing a Westward Movement project. I thought back to the simulation we created in a classroom several years ago, but this group of teachers and students took it further. They mapped out the field, hills, and woods next to their school, and traveled in families and groups across the prairie with their wagons loaded with supplies. The little stream they crossed sent some of them into the mud, and a couple of their babies (eggs) were lost in process. This was “Oregon Trail” in as close to real life as you can get during a school day. It’s a memory they’ll have forever. Real learning.

June 5, 2008.

Fifth Grade Wax Museum

Each year, the Coupeville fifth grade class turns the multi-purpose room into a Wax Museum. They don’t freeze into place, however. They’re living, breathing historical figures. I met Ben Franklin, a few Amelia Earharts, Shirley Temple, and even had a couple Elvis sightings.

Kaj made an incredible (and credible) John Denver. Kaj’s research, voice, and ability to articulate information about John Denver’s life in conversations was a joy to observe. The best part was when someone would try to stump him by saying, “Sing something!” to him.

May 23, 2008

Wait until you see the cool artwork in MONSTERS ON MACHINES! It starts at the great wrap-around cover. Watch my “Books” section to see it soon. Robert Neubecker really brought our monsters to life. My kids decided the monsters resemble our family. Jean is Dirty Dugg, Sandra is Melvina, and Kaj is Stinky Stubb. That leaves Daddy as hairy Gorbert. I’m the Mama, of course.

When my editor, Andrea Welch, said Robert was going to illustrate the monsters, I tracked down his website. Okay, I thought. Great art. But I didn’t see how his work could be a match with my text. I guess that’s why she’s the editor. “How did you know he could do monsters?” I asked. She said it was the face on a Chinese New Year dragon in one of his books.

Robert does ink drawings, then colors them on the computer. But not colors you’ll find in your crayon box. This is bold and bright, clashing like my daughter’s taste in clothes. With everything from Shrek green to their house of red, purple, yellow, green, orange… Kids’ll love finding all the little creatures and thumbprints. I’m so excited about this one. It’ll be available August 1st. Get your favorite bookstore to preorder it now!

May 17, 2008

Full Circle

I just returned from Bob Flick and Loni Anderson's wedding. Yes, that Loni Anderson. Yes, nice, and yes, still gorgeous. She's just another Minnesota girl.

Bob is the one remaining original member of the Brothers Four. My husband, Karl Olsen, is the newest member. Bob first met Loni in Minneapolis at a movie premiere. She was a 17-year-old model attending the event; the Brothers did the theme song for the movie. They met, they dated, but life tugged them other directions.

Loni’s ring from Bob is a circle of diamonds, representing the full circle their love has traveled. Friends and family walked across a little bridge, with swans swimming beneath, into a garden where a flowered canopy and petal-strewn walkway awaited. Simple and elegant. Bob's son Adam and Loni's daughter Deidre were the attendants, and Deidre's daughters were flower girls. Loni’s son Quinton escorted his mother. Long-time Brothers’ member Mark Pearson sang the song he wrote for them. Harp and classical guitar filled in the rest of the outdoor music. The words of their story and vows, the music, the birds, and the perfect weather wove its way through the circle of friends and family who attended.

Mark Pearson, Deb, and Loni

Our “Fancy Nancy” daughter Sandra insisted we bring home pictures. She also said that if there was a chocolate fountain, she wanted us to bring a cup of it back to her. There wasn’t. Instead, we photographed the things we knew she’d love – the name cards, the menu, the swan-shaped butter, the flowers – one long table of them, outlined with rows of candles and the 43 people present. Bob thanked Loni for answering the question they’ve posed all these years – “Where have all the flowers gone?”

Piano and bass accompanied dinner. Karl sang jazz numbers in my ear. We savored each course of the dinner, danced, visited and made plans with new friends.

The Brothers sang. Family fun highlighted the dinner talk. Words toasted and roasted, sharing sentiments that will be repeated throughout their days and ours. Thanks, Bob & Loni, for the gift of this day.

We broke away for an afternoon with part of our California family…

Niece Sonja, big boy Dane, hubby Tim holding Bergen, Leo, and Grandma Val (Karl's sister).

May 15, 2008

Okay, I’m not a ranter. That’s why I usually just write my boring everyday stuff in here, but I happened to come across a blogging preschool teaching mom’s review of All Aboard the Dinotrain. She concedes that her son LOVES the book, but complained about all the big words – that little kids don’t know all those words. What? And how do they learn words? Isn’t it possible for a preschool class to enjoy a book without each child knowing every word? Is it so bad if she had to explain something in the story? Isn’t that what we do as parents and teachers? Why do we start piling up questions when we’re incredulous?

The dinobooks are not easy readers. They’re made for parents (and teachers) to read to their children, and for those precocious kids, like my niece’s five-year-old, who can fly through all the words without missing a beat. And, when I write books for parents to read to their kids, I give them something they can read over and over. A librarian told me that my books were never Behind-The-Couch books. When I asked what that meant, she explained that she and her husband would secretly drop books behind their couch when they got tired of reading them. That way the books wouldn’t show up until weeks later.

But, as much as I like hearing that, I don’t focus on the parents when I write. To be totally truthful, it’s the story that gets my focus. We don’t need to talk down to kids. A story needs to be told with the voice that it’s given. We don’t need to restrict the listening vocabulary of our readership.

I hope this mom and teacher opens up to the possibility that a love of language isn’t born out of carefully introducing each word. Love of language comes from sound, from the voices of those who love us, from rhythm and rhyme, and from Story, and sometimes it comes from rollicking, sea-tossed, train-riding, high-flying dinosoaring books. It’s about exposure and respect.

May 7, 2008

Karl sang at the DMZ and the Olympic Stadium in Seoul, Korea with the Brothers Four. They had a great week exploring, performing, and hanging out with Judy Collins, Crystal Gayle, Donovan, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Dr. Hook, Don McLean, and Melanie.

Brothers Four at the Flower Power Peace Festival in Seoul

“Locks of Love” on the Seoul Tower Observation Deck

April 27, 2008

Seattle SCBWI conference

This was our pilot year for offering continuing education credits for the Seattle SCBWI conference. 22 teachers met with me at the beginning, middle, and end of the conference. It brought back memories for me of all the authors and editors I met as a teacher. I used to make them all pose with me for pictures to bring back to my students. I know what a difference it makes to kids when they experience authors as real live people. Thanks to Heritage Institute, we were able to offer the credits at the same rate as if Heritage folks were putting on the conference themselves. We didn’t want it to get too expensive, since teachers needed to register separately with SCBWI. It was an honor to make this possible for them.

Oh, and the conference? The best yet! Check it out at www.scbwi-washington.com.

April 19, 2008

Spring sleet

Sandra in the sleet

Writing For & With Children

I LOVE teaching this class. Even if it meant driving through sleet and rain to get there. Once again, it was like walking into a room of friends – guess I miss that teacher talk and the passion they have for their calling. I try to do this class once a year as a way to support teachers. Here’s the class description from Heritage Institute (www.hol.edu). Maybe you can join us next year…

Whether you want to write for children, to understand the writing and publication process behind your favorite children’s literature, or to help your students with “real” writing techniques and reading strategies, this jam-packed interactive workshop is for you. Children’s author Deb Lund will share her top writing strategies, an overview of the process of writing for children, and techniques and tools to help you reach your writing and teaching goals. Bring your favorite current children’s literature and learn how it can inspire your own and your students’ writing. Don’t wait for motivation to strike. Leave this workshop with a plan and the courage to act!

April 12, 2008

A spring beach trip…

April 1, 2008

A good friend called me this morning to tell me to tune in to KUOW. Dr. Mick Storck, from the Child Study and Treatment Center and Children’s Hospital in Seattle, with his interest in narrative therapy, and Richard Gold, founder of the Pongo Teen Writing Project, were the featured guests, along with Colby, a former resident at the center, who became a writer because of his experience with the Pongo Project. They reaffirmed why I teach writing to students and teachers.

I thought of students from my twenty-some years of teaching – the boy who lost his life playing with a gun, the girl who died from leukemia, the boy I tutored privately because of an incident with the razorblade he wore in his earring, and so many others who wrote with me – who connected with me, themselves, and others because of writing.

Storck and Gold know how writing transforms people, and that poetry changes even the kids who know “how to play the game.” There are reasons why I think poetry makes the perfect vehicle for expression.

First of all, poetry isn’t ruled by rules as much as other forms. There’s more room for creative content, organization, form, punctuation, and voice – that is, if it’s taught that way. And it’s short – kid-friendly – with no extra words to get in the way.

Dr. Storck and Mr. Gold are successful at bringing poetry to these kids because they don’t prescribe the writing. They listen, ask, and honor. They may say, “What is that like?” and imagery is born. They’re not diluting the emotion of poetry by explaining it away, assigning specific outcomes, or writing out rules to follow. With support and safety, they let poetry become the vehicle for kids to open, to uncover, and to release what’s inside. Poetry allows us to be vulnerable. It’s slices and snapshots to celebrate who we are.

For more information, check out the following links:

March 30, 2008

Happy Birthday to the love of my life. So glad you’re on this journey with me.

Kids enjoying a little pre-birthday whipped cream silliness with the birthday daddy.

March 23, 2008

Jean’s Baptism

March 7, 2008

Ahhh – the first of our Pirate Nights. It’s so great having a husband and brother-in-law who are such amazing musicians. The three of us were all music teachers, and after many years of teaching and singing together, there’s a synergy that transfers to our audiences – especially the shorter members. Dr. Bob joined us for this one. It’s good to have a pediatrician with lots of other talents.

Coupeville’s Pirate Literacy Night was a Literacy Fair with many organizations represented. Families went to a variety of “stations” after our performance. Book bags with books and other materials were distributed to families. Fun and learning are such great companions!

March 5, 2008

Every year I shake my head that I didn’t get involved in the Whidbey Island Writers Conference when it first got started. I think it was about four years later, when my friend Dot asked me to help with the student-writing contest. The conference was in my backyard – how good could it be?

Melissa Manlove, an editor from Chronicle, joined us this year. Editors with bookstore experience are like librarian authors. They know what’s out there. Melissa’s presentation at Friday’s “Picture Book Chat House” overlooking Baby Island followed and tied in nicely with my “Piggyback Picture Books” talk. Writer pal Kirby Larson and her co-author ended the afternoon by “chatting” about the creation of their “Two Bobbies.”

The early birds who joined me at 8:00 Saturday for “Following Fireflies: Finding Ideas” was an energetic, eager group. We gathered memories, emotions, and mixed in imagination to give them idea banks that’ll never run out. They loved the hands-on activities and built-in goofiness. They think it’s genius. I know it’s just my 20+ years of teaching kids.

My good friend Fay Robinson came from Chicago for the conference. We met a dozen years ago at Centrum in Port Townsend. In addition to writing, we have the “older-child adoption experience” to share. Her daughter Kati arrived about the same time as Sandra and Jean. Fay and I have played with the idea of a book about the experiences of authors who have adopted older children. It takes on more form with each passing month. If you know other writers in this situation, let us know.

Chuck and Dee from Village Books in Bellingham were at the conference once again. They’re so good at selecting books and products for the conference that my bag was once again weighted down with more than I truly needed.

Seeing friends, learning new strategies, getting inspired, making contacts – these are the reasons to attend conferences. And if you haven’t gone to one before, you might as well start with the one that many say is the best in the nation – the one right here in my backyard. www.writeonwhidbey.org

March 4, 2008

After almost five hours of Karl singing with the Brothers Four, Bob Flick asked him to be a part of the group! If you want to see where they’ll be, visit http://www.brothersfour.com/

February 29, 2008

Leap Day – and we’re leaping!

Mark Pearson called. He’s a member of the Brothers Four. If you’re younger than us, you might not know that name unless your parents were fans. Mark had done a couple concerts here that Karl set up for him. He had Karl sing with him each time, and this phone call was about setting up another concert, and then came the “Do you have a minute, Karl?” A member of the group had just left, and he wanted Karl to audition.

February 14, 2008

The best Valentine’s Days are when I get to sit alone. Sounds awful, doesn’t it? On those days, I’m the only one without a date, because my guy is the one at the piano or guitar. You know how some people have voices just made for love songs? He’s one of those. So, when Valentine’s Day is rolls around again (and again…), don’t worry if you have a date or not. Just join me at one of Karl’s concerts. And if you can’t make it, get his love song CD. Email me and I’ll send you one.

February 9, 2008

My kiddos in the block room at Imagine Children’s Museum

Sandra helping out at the die cut machine

I celebrated my birthday at Imagine Children’s Museum. Our dinoparty was a hit once again. Creative Raniere pulls together amazing art projects to go with our songs and stories. If you haven’t visited ICM, give yourself a treat and bring a kid with you. That way they don’t look at you so strangely as you participate in all the fun activities.

January 28, 2008

Got a bit (and Jean got a bite) of snow here!

Sandra waits it out at the computer

Snow boy Kaj clears the car

January 15, 2008

Happy Birthday, Aaron!

We had a short but fun-packed visit with my sister Cindy and nephew Tyler from Minnesota. Short, because they came out to get the car Tyler’s brother Aaron was giving him. We love having Aaron out here. He takes Kaj skiing, lets Jean climb all over him, and puts up with Sandra’s goofy loud antics. And I get to see more of my family out here now that there’s more of us out here to visit.

I attended the Whidbey MFA residency the first week of January. My good friends Bonny Becker and Carmen T. Bernier-Grand teach in the program, and I was able to get clock hours for sitting in on the residency portion. We rarely have time to talk about writing like this. We’re usually attending or presenting at conferences together, or traveling to see editors. Bonny and I made plans to do a little critiquing now and then, and I made good friends who I know I’ll see again.