Archive for All Welcome Here

Goodnight Letters, Goodnight Stamps!

My “Fan Mail” game just got upgraded.

Check out these snazzy new stamps I picked up at the Post Office today!

 

 

Welcome Back to School!

Here in the northeast, I think everyone is back to school. To celebrate that, here’s a page that captures some of that first-day feeling, a little senryu (haiku format w/ a focus on human activities rather than nature). This comes from our book, All Welcome Here, gloriously illustrated by my wonderful pal, Mary Grandpre. (Mary illustrated the first editions of the Harry Potter books, so you are likely familiar with her work.) All Welcome Here was a back-to-school book and one of the many casualties of the pandemic. It landed with a thud and is already out of print. So much for immortality!

School Begins, All Welcome Here

 

The bus door swishes

Open, an invitation.

Someone is not sure. 

 

A page from my book of connected haiku, All Welcome Here, expertly illustrated by Mary GrandPre.

Dedicated to teachers everywhere, who open their classrooms, and their hearts, to every child who comes through that door.

VIDEO PRESENTATION: All Welcome Here!

It’s that time of year again. Here’s a video presentation of All Welcome Here, a book dedicated to teachers everywhere who open their hearts, and their classrooms, to every student who comes through that door. 

Note: I was asked by an Oregon bookstore to create a brief video talk (under ten minutes) about my new picture book, All Welcome Here. This is part presentation, part read-aloud, targeted for young readers. I had a little production help this one, and I think it turned out okay.

Teachers, feel free to share with your students. And parents — hey, why not? — share away. 

Hopefully this book celebrates the best of us, sending positive signals about acceptance, kindness, and community. Good luck, be smart, and stay healthy! 

 

 

“Caldecott Honoree GrandPre captures the day’s variable moods in pictures of absorbed, interacting kids of various skin tones and abilities . . . a cheery take on the joy of camaraderie.” — Publishers Weekly.

“Lively haiku pairs with vibrant art to showcase various facets of the first day of school . . . Expressive, mixed-media illustrations are an eye-catching blend of bright colors, patterns, and perspectives: the multicultural kids and adults further the sense of inclusiveness. With it’s reassuring and upbeat elements, this may also help alleviate first-day fers as it highlights the many positive opportunities that await.” — Booklist.

Spread from “ALL WELCOME HERE”

Here’s a spread from my picture book, All Welcome Here, a series of connected haiku, illustrated by the great Mary GrandPre. I wrote this back in 2016, took a long while to become a book. I guess June of Covid 2020 wasn’t exactly a great time to launch a back-to-school title. Oh, rats. And I was so looking forward to sharing this book with young readers. Talking poetry, and community, and connection.

Still here for virtual visits. Look me up!

“Caldecott Honoree GrandPre captures the day’s variable moods in pictures of absorbed, interacting kids of various skin tones and abilities . . . a cheery take on the joy of camaraderie.” Publishers Weekly.

“Lively haiku pairs with vibrant art to showcase various facets of the first day of school . . . Expressive, mixed-media illustrations are an eye-catching blend of bright colors, patterns, and perspectives: the multicultural kids and adults further the sense of inclusiveness. With it’s reassuring and upbeat elements, this may also help alleviate first-day fers as it highlights the many positive opportunities that await.”Booklist.