talking to grown-ups

About this time last weekend, I was looking at something like this:



Because I was the keynote speaker for the NJ SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) conference. While I do a lot of speaking, it had been a while since I presented to adults. I had to catch myself before I said anything like, "Now, please sit criss-cross applesauce!"


But it was very enjoyable! I forgot how much nice it can be speaking at events like this. I met many lovely people, including conference attendee Tara Lazar who wrote a recap of my speech here (thanks, Tara!) , Joyce Wan, the creator of Wanart which produces the adorable onesies I give to all my friends' new babies (which reminds me, I have to buy some more...)and many, many other talented authors and fantastic artists who are too numerous to name.

(Though I did want to include this photo of me and the talented Ryan Sias from whom I stole this photo from off of FB. It makes me laugh that we are matching. Ironically, later that day, I had a conversation about how the new thing in Korea is for couples to dress identically. So in Korea, people would've thought we were a couple! I'll have to get the Sasquatch a red shirt, now.)

But my favorite part was when later in the day Alvina and I gave a workshop about the author/editor relationship. Some of you may know that even though Alvina is my editor, she is also "Melody" in The Year of the Dog which is why I showed this photo:


Ha ha!!

June Kid Review: Ling & Ting

The June Kid Review is of Ling and Ting and is from the Streaming Eagles, in El Paso TX:

Click HERE to listen!

*If you have a review of one of my books that you would like to share, send it to Gracelin.manager@gmail.com! Multimedia (audio clip, youtube link, etc) is encouraged but not necessary.

fortune cookie friday

"The peony is beautiful, yet it is supported by a plain stalk."
-Chinese Proverb

joyride

Ahh, it's summer! I've taken the bike out of storage and brought it in for a tune-up. It's been a couple years since I've used my beloved green bicycle, I think subconsciously I had compartmentalized it with a different part of my life. However, it was one of my greatest joys in the past and nothing says that fun has to stay in the past. So, yippee! I will soon be whizzing along!

I have to admit, however, the summer was not the motivation for bring out the bike. The first impetus was vanity.

I was slightly horrified (though I shouldn't have been surprised) at how much, um, chunkier I've become in the last year. I guess it's a sign of a happy marriage? Well, I know I am not morbidly obese but I'd still like to be a little less. It's bound to be healthier, anyway, which leads to my second bike-dusting reason.

And my second reason is that I was told I had a vitamin D deficiency! You know, the vitamin you get from the sun? When I told this to my sister she said, "What, you never go outside?" Uh, no. It's been winter, I live in New England and I'm an author/illustrator which means I stay inside staring at a computer or sit in a studio all day. Obviously, I don't go outside...which is why I am vitamin D deficient!

So, I'm counting on my green bike to save me. And even if it doesn't, at least I'll have fun.

booktalk tuesday

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by EL Konisburg

IndieBound Description: Claudia knew that she could never pull off the old-fashioned kind of running away...so she decided not to run FROM somewhere, but TO somewhere. And so, after some careful planning, she and her younger brother, Jamie, escaped -- right into a mystery that made headlines.

My Thoughts: I reread this after my visit to the Met and I had forgotten how good it was. Next time, I'm reading this before going to the museum!

on my desk monday

I just got back from the NJ SCBWI conference and the Sasquatch left this out for me:
YAY!!!!

Sunday Chinese School

Welcome to Sunday Chinese School, where we learn a Chinese word (or phrase) a week with my mom!

Today's word is:
sing
chàng

fortune cookie friday

"Dead songbirds make a sad meal."
-Chinese Proverb

#5 on NY Times Bestseller List!!

EEKS!! Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is #5 on this week's NY Times Bestseller List! WOW!!

This is a huge shock!! The book has just dropped off the Indie Bestseller List (but it had been on there for a while, thanks so much, Indie Bookstores!) so I thought the run was over. So I was very, very surprised (and happy!) it actually hit the NY Times list!

I feel this is due to all of you, the readers who cared about this book and are sharing it with others. I've mentioned this before and it is still true--as an author, there is nothing sadder than when you create something with all your soul and passion and realize that no one (or very few people care). So when the opposite happens, it is extremely wonderful. So I truly thank you so much from the bottom of my heart.

RI school visits

The Monday after the Kids Reading Across RI event, I also visited a couple of schools in the state. These schools "won" my visit from the KRARI group (these people sure know how to do a program right!).

As I mentioned earlier, I do get a little picky when school ask for my Where the Mountain Meets the Moon presentation. It is all about the background of the book and the things that I changed vs folklore...and it makes a lot more sense if the students have actually read the book. So I really try to emphasize that the book should be read by all if they want me to give this presentation (they are more than welcome to choose another presentation if that is too much of responsibility).

But that was not a worry at all for these schools. ALL the students had read Where the Mountain Meets the Moon and they were incredibly enthusiastic about my visit. They welcomed me with drawings, sculptures and paintings:
.

And even provided their own themed entertainment. There were so many things going on that I almost didn't even have to give my presentation. These girls wrote and performed scenes from the book:

And another student built a mechanized Dragon:

a lego Old Man of the Moon:
and a 6 ft long Never-Ending Mountain (with waterfall) for the two to meet...which they did with panache!

(it might be hard to see, but the dragon shoots/spits out his pearl/marble at the end!)
Pretty neat, huh?

It was a great day and I was so glad to meet these amazing, creative and inspiring RI students!