Posts Categorized: Writing

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 »

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 »

Maya Angelou reads “Life Doesn’t Frighten Me”

It was so sad to hear that Maya Angelou’s had died last week. Like so many others around the world, I was touched by the words she wrote and spoke. And by the woman she was. And her spirit and sheer joy of life. I discovered this wonderful recording of Angelou reading one of her… Read more »

Simple isn’t simple

Ballet dancers make floating in the air look easy. They make balancing en pointe look effortless. How do they do that? Only because of the hours of training and torture they have put their bodies through. Only through sacrifice and suffering. Behind all that ease, lies hard work. Maybe tears. Certainly pain. Mastery is making… Read more »

Jack with Children – Douglas Gresham Interview (Pt. 2)

I love this 8-part interview with C.S. Lewis’ stepson, Douglas Gresham. As you may already know, 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 two: In part two, Douglas discusses the contrast… Read more »

First Impressions of Jack – Douglas Gresham Interview (Pt. 1)

I love this 8-part interview with C.S. Lewis’ stepson, Douglas Gresham. And thought I’d share some brief thoughts on each part over the next several weeks and invite you to share your own as well. Here’s part one: In part one, Douglas recounts the first time he met “Jack,” as a boy of 8. His… Read more »

Picture books and Pantomime

Pantomime is a participatory form of theater. (Apologies if you are British and I might just as well be explaining to you what tea is.) Pantomime requires your participation for it to work. The audience is expected to sing along with certain parts of the music and shout out phrases to the performers. (Help! Are… Read more »

Doreen’s First Outing

I had my precious one and only author copy, which I mistakenly showed to my little three-year old friend AE… She immediately had to have it read to her 15 times. And then took it to bed. And has gone to sleep with it ever since. She calls it her fishy book. And says it’s… Read more »

Follow the Fish!

We writers are always being asked where we get our ideas. I got this one when I wasn’t looking—when I was trying to write something else altogether. And became my latest picture book, POOR DOREEN: A FISHY TALE. The story I’d wanted to write was going to be elegant and atmospheric and quiet about a… Read more »

Wither into the Truth: creating in old age

Some artists keep on working late in life–and get better with age. Others peak early and then fizzle out. Brooke Allen in the NYT writes, “Creative artists who continue to work late in life so often seem to undergo a sea change: a distillation, a new intensity, a sloughing off of excess and ornament in… Read more »