Monthly Archives: June 2014

Running and Writing and Cups of Tea

A few years ago, I was on Fripp, a barrier island in South Carolina. (I was there with great friends on a writing retreat.) I got up early one morning and went running — and happened upon a magical scene… As the mist hung over the marsh, the sun was just rising, a fisherman in… Read more »

Instagram of the Week: Marilyn

The other day my friend, Melanie Penn, and I took a road trip out of the city. We imagined an amazing day filled with beauty. We ended up in a twilight zone filled with ginormous scary sculptures. We were visiting the Ground for Sculpture. It was fascinating. For about 2 minutes. And then we were… Read more »

10 Books for Children age 6 to 106 (Pt. 1)

What are your favorite children’s books? People ask me that a lot. It’s a hard question to answer because where do you begin? The best children’s book are, of course, the ones which are nothing of the sort. They are those books which can be enjoyed by a child of any age, from 6 to… Read more »

Mirror Mirror — Simon’s Cat video

It’s Cat Monday! Hooray! (In case you weren’t around when I posted the first one, here it is.) I love this series. It makes me laugh. And so, because I’m nice like that, I will be posting every single one I can get my hands on. And there are LOADS hooray! Every other monday will… Read more »

Instagram of the Week: Neon Signs

Almost exactly to the day, one hundred and sixteen years ago, in a laboratory in London, two British chemists did an experiment that would transform New York City. On June 12, 1898 they discovered neon. From 1920 neon became a fixture in the city. Visible even in daylight, people would stop and stare at the… Read more »

Primary History: WWII Lessons for Children (Wartime Posters)

I’m not sure how long it’s been around, but this website by the BBC is an absolute treasure. The goal of the website is to give children a way to explore and learn about WWII online. While all of the resources are fascinating, I wanted to specifically highlight some of the posters that were used… Read more »

Picture Books, Theater and the Turn of the Page

A good picture book is like theater. You’re probably familiar with The Caldecott Medal (awarded annually to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children). But who is this Caldecott exactly? Beatrix Potter called him, “one of the greatest illustrators of all.” Maurice Sendak credited him with inventing the modern picture book…. Read more »

Instagram of the Week: Someday Is Today

I saw this poster near the subway and knew I had to take a photo of it. It’s something I need reminding of every single day. I probably need it plastered to my wall. Wait. No. My head. How about you? How many of us have said: “I’ll start that project…someday.” “Someday, I’m going to… Read more »

Lewis as Father Figure – Douglas Gresham Interview (Pt. 3)

I have so enjoyed this 8-part interview with C.S. Lewis’ stepson, Douglas Gresham. Over the next several weeks I’ll be sharing some brief thoughts on each part of the interview, and I invite you to share your own as well in the comments below. Here’s part three: In part three, Douglas discusses the impact that “Jack” had… Read more »

Simon’s Cat: Pawtrait – video

OK. I love this series. And so, because I’m nice like that, I will be posting every single one I can get my hands on (and there are LOTS of them hooray!). Every other Monday will now be Cat Monday. Yes. And if you don’t like cats, you need your head examined sorry I mean… Read more »