Thank you for following this blog. All my blogs will be consolidated into Deb Lund ad lib. And of course I’ll still be supporting teachers from over there—I can’t think of a more important audience. You’ll also hear tips and news for writers and other creative folks. So, click on the link above and let’s [...]
I hope you’ll join me for the SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators) conference at the Redmond Marriott on April 16 and 17. When I was teaching, I attended this conference every year, and applied what I learned to my classroom teaching and work as a librarian. I loved meeting the authors, and [...]
Recently, my third-grade son Jean (whose images are featured in the brand-new book HOPE FOR HAITI, but that’s another story), whined about the writing he had to do for school. He, of course, even living with an author who constantly preaches about the inner critic and practicing writing, expected his writing to be perfect now. [...]
Picture books are a different breed of read. I’m not talking about longish storybooks, easy readers, or basic concept books. I mean the concise, every word counts, rhythm aware, yummy sounds and images that enchant-us-to-tears books. A librarian once told me that my books were never the “behind the couch” books at her house. When [...]
Last weekend, several teachers received credits or clock hours for attending the annual Western Washington SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators) conference. Each year at this gathering, we learn from national experts in the field of writing and publishing for children. Authors, editors, agents, and other professionals share what they know through keynotes, [...]
It’s incomprehensible to me that we’re again having to defend school libraries and their librarians. School personnel claim their main focus is reading, and yet school administrators will put library programs on their hit lists. Today a librarian contacted me requesting a statement she could share with her superintendent in support of keeping school library [...]
With Haiti in our hearts, minds, and media these days, we’ve all had opportunities to support relief efforts and send out thoughts and prayers. When we work with kids, there’s so much more we can do. School service projects to raise money and awareness of disaster relief are appreciated and benefit both the giver and [...]
I’m over at Deb Lund ad lib supporting NaNoWriMo’s this month. It’s National Novel Writing Month. If you (or your students) are NaNo-ing, bop on over and play with my daily NaNoNuj. The best part is that you can use these November blog entries any time of the year. I also wanted to share a [...]
National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo, as the frenetic writers who commit to this month of insanity lovingly call it (they don’t have time to say the whole thing), is quickly approaching. Get your students motivated to write. There’s even a NaNo site just for them, and while they’re at it, join them! Follow me [...]
You teach. You know your kids respond more when you model what it is you want them to do. But you don’t have time to write. Write anyway. Park yourself at your desk, at the magic white board that displays your awful words on the wall, at that old overhead projector, or whatever you got [...]
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