Issue #31 - April 2020

Dear Readers,

Today is the first day of a new month, but it feels like we are in a whole new world.

We are all staying home here in our house in the Sunshine Coast, and have been for the last few weeks. We are healthy. We are lucky. My parents, who live next door, are my biggest worry and concern, but because we all live on a large property in the middle of the woods, we are isolated together and I get to see them.

These times have been stressful and strange for all. I know that we have it luckier than most. Two months ago, when I was totally stressed because we were moving suddenly, now I see that as a blessing in disguise.

We are in our house and have lots of land around us. We have plenty of things to keep us busy, trying to unpack and get our house in order. We have dirt to dig in and a forest to explore next door. And, we have Ori who is happy to be around us and learning new things every day.

Not to mention--it's his birthday today!!! April 1st! My little April Fool's baby. He's two! (Which he tells us so proudly.) Although truthfully he feels like he entered his twos a while ago, being rather willful and soooooo talkative! We were planning a celebration for him but are doing something simple tonight. No pranks though! Just fun--when he is a bit older, don't worry.

I am still very fearful that my dad, who is 79, and my mom, 69, and lives next door, are protected. I am worried for my brother who is a nurse. And worried for all my friends who are nurses and doctors and work in health care, and for my friends in the city who live in smaller spaces with little kids. I'm also wondering what will happen in a few months. What will be our new world? How will things change? I can't predict anything, but I am worried and curious and hopeful and scared all bundled up together. I know I'm not alone.

I put together a few packages based on my books.

There are three of them, one for each of my series. I thought they might be fun for those kids who love my books but also for those who don't know my books, they can be used too.

One details how to make a Magical Animal Adoption Agency in your house, the other a Heartwood Hotel. The third is for Wings of Olympus, and maybe older kids can write some awesome stories~

A few other little grateful moments:

Duck, Duck, Dinosaur: Bubble Blast was chosen as the Garden State Children's Book Best Early Reader.

Last year an Elephant and Piggie book was the winner, and I really admire that book.

- Ori loving books and understanding that "mommy" writes books. Secrets I Know, one of my older picture books, illustrated by Paola Zakimi is a favourite. I think this is something special that I never really expected--seeing him actually want to read one of my books over and over.

-Ori is also really into books that I edited. One of his favourites, which is actually one of MY favourites too, is Today by Julie Morstad. This book harkens back to the Richard Scarry "Cars and Trucks and Things that Go" by Richard Scarry and "Oh What a Busy Day" by Gyo Fujikawa. "Today" is about a girl's busy day and many of the pages have different options that you can choose. For example, this page says, "What would you wear?" Ori always points to the itchy sweater!

Another thing that I am grateful for is my books --

Colt of the Clouds book birthday is April 14.

Nowadays perhaps the e-book is best? There is a version of that for it too! Here. And an audio book too!

This book was a pleasure to write. I loved flying into Pippa's second adventure and I knew early on that I wanted to write it about Zeph's colt. It was serendipitous that I was also pregnant with Ori at the time of writing most of it. I was so focused on writing it that actually, the day I finished my edits on the story, I had Ori the very next day! It was Ori and my body both knew that I couldn't have a baby until this book was done, but the minute it was, Ori came, even though he was a bit early (3 weeks!). 

The book itself is all about Pippa trying to figure out where she fits in--something that I have certainly struggled with I'm my life. I feel like I have, at last, found a lovely group and places where I belong. With my immediate family, my Greystone co-workers, and my new friends here on the coast. It's hard to not be able to see them right now. But I will be even more grateful when I do. 
 
I hope it's something fun to read in this time.

Other things I've been doing is slowly unpacking my library. It is something to do, especially as I have found it a bit harder to immerse myself in my stories right now, but I hope to. 

Lots of extra love to all in these stressful times.

xo
Kallie