On Tuesday November 1st I was sitting at my desk in my study watching the rain pouring down. Much needed rain in our drought-ridden part of Northern California. I recorded a quick video to share on Instagram stories of the sound of the rain. And then a poem sparked in my head.
I was thinking about the fact that just the day before was Halloween and we’d been out trick or treating. And now the rain was washing away that holiday and we were moving on to the next season. Somehow the resulting poem worked and I posted it online straight away.
The whole process took minutes. Oh, how I wish that it was always the case. But sometimes something jiggles my brain and a coherent sentence, idea, scene, or poem falls out. And it’s not usually when I’m actively writing. Maybe I’m staring at rain, maybe I’m running around the block, or simply folding laundry.
All this to say, if you’re sitting at your desk right now and the words aren’t working, take a break. Watch the leaves fall. Or the squirrels fighting. Take a walk. Or read a magazine. Encourage your students to move to a new position, maybe take their work on a walk (like Mary Oliver), or talk with a friend.
I hope you have a wonderful November, Thanksgiving, and start of the busy Holiday season.
Christine
World Read Aloud Day…
is on Wednesday February 1st 2023 and I have limited slots available. I’m sharing with you, my newsletter subscribers first, and then I’ll open it up to the wider social media audience if there are spaces left.
Each virtual visit will last for 20 minutes and will include a reading, some chat about the book, and a Q&A. My visits are suitable for any elementary grade.
Here’s more information about World Read Aloud Day. And if you’d like to hear about other authors and illustrators taking part, sign up to Kate Messner’s newsletter as each year she generously compiles a list.
Book News
Book 5 in The Wish Library series, The Vanishing Friend, is coming in April 2023 and you can preorder now. If you’d like a signed copy, order from Linden Tree Books.
Some Favorite Books
There have been so many wonderful books out recently!
I went to a great event at Linden Tree Books with not one but two local authors: Emma Bland Smith and Stephanie Wildman. Check out their most recent books, Mr. McCloskey’s Marvelous Mallards and Treasure Hunt.
And my friend, Isabella Kung, released the sequel to No Fuzzball this month. No Snowball is as funny and cute as her predecessor and my kids adore her. For Halloween I dressed as a cat, so I had to take a photo with the book.
That’s all for now, I hope to be back in your inboxes soon with the cover and preorder details for Dear Mr. G (coming April 2023, Union Square Kids, illustrated by Gracey Zhang).
Thank you for sharing your lovely poem here! It was a delight to read. And big congrats on your latest book news!