Last winter the Iowa City Public Library put on a fund-raising auction for which people could donate items or their own time. I offered to donate myself reading a story. Sunday afternoon was the day. The purchasers brought brought their own children and some friends to a place south of Iowa City called Belgum … [Read more...] about Writing Stories, Re-Writing the Landscape
The Chiru of High Tibet
Living Room Tourist: Lhasa
The story and setting of The Chiru of High Tibet may make readers want more information about Tibet. Who wouldn't want to travel to such a beautiful and mysterious land? But real travel to Tibet is expensive and arduous. Still, there's the possibility of "living room" travel, traveling by immersing ourselves in the … [Read more...] about Living Room Tourist: Lhasa
One World. Many Stories
I'm excited to learn that the theme for many libraries' summer reading programs this year is "One world, many stories." What a treat to be taken by a book to the world across the river, across the ocean, on the other side of the globe. What draws us to these stories from other parts of the planet are the … [Read more...] about One World. Many Stories
Interviewing — Real and Imagined
Early this month I went down to Fairfield Iowa to meet my friend Cheryl Fusco Johnson so we could talk on the radio about the chiru story. We drank coffee at Paradise (and it was heavenly coffee). Then we went over to the radio station. Talking about stories and writing is always fun. The afternoon reminded me of how … [Read more...] about Interviewing — Real and Imagined
Creating Characters in a Cold Month
I could travel to Tibet and back in the time since I wrote on this blog. But that's not where I've been. First, there were the holidays and some wonderful family time. And then a deft segue to the Hamline University Low Residency MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults (January 6-17). It's been a wonderful ten … [Read more...] about Creating Characters in a Cold Month
Bringing Tibet to the Classroom, Bringing the Classroom to Tibet
Good news for The Chiru of High Tibet! The National Science Teachers Association - Children's Book Council's Outstanding Science Committee has named the book to the "Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12" List for 2011. I hope that teachers who work with students of all ages will want to use this book. I … [Read more...] about Bringing Tibet to the Classroom, Bringing the Classroom to Tibet
