News, Notes & Inside Info from a Children’s Book Author

Archive for May, 2010

When That First Copy Arrives in the Mail: Shiver Me Timbers!

Friday, May 7th, 2010 Posted in A Pirates Guide to First Grade, the writing process | 2 Comments »


I don't do happy dances. I'm not a fist-pumper, chest-thumper, or rump-bumper. It's just an inward satisfaction, and pure pleasure; the culmination of something that's been brewing for years. In the case of this book, A Pirate's Guide to First ...

Ernie Harwell Remembered

Thursday, May 6th, 2010 Posted in Around the Web, Interviews & Appreciations | No Comments »


"I have a problem and I hope you'll understand and bear with me. One of the finest men we have ever met, and a great broadcaster -- he's in the Hall of Fame -- Ernie Harwell, the voice of the ...

Fan Mail Wednesday #87

Wednesday, May 5th, 2010 Posted in Fan Mail, Jigsaw Jones, New York Mets | 2 Comments »


Crazy busy time of year. Spring hits, the family calendar fills up, and we can barely keep up with our day jobs. Quick: Let's answer a letter. This one came the old-fashioned way . . . by Pony Express! I replied: Dear Madison ...

Some Recent Snaps

Tuesday, May 4th, 2010 Posted in Family | No Comments »


For no rhyme or reason, here's some recent (and a couple not so recent -- though recently downloaded!) photographs. There's Lisa, Gavin, Maggie, Nick, and yours truly. I included that shot of the back of my house, just so you know ...

What’s Wrong with Teachers These Days

Sunday, May 2nd, 2010 Posted in Around the Web | No Comments »


Cartoonist Daryl Cagle explains it all. At the SLMS Conference in Albany, I heard a woman refer to a different type of parenting style, evidently gaining in popularity these days. I was familiar, of course, with the phenomenon of "helicopter" parents. ...