last leg

view from the backseat

Up to this point,  while going on mini-tour with Rain Dragon had not been flawless, it had been manageable. So, the Sasquatch and I were fooled into thinking that the last non-local stop on the schedule, Haverford PA would be fine.

But a 6 hour drive, teething and perhaps the start of separation anxiety were soon to humble us.  Because at when we arrived at the charming Children's Book World Bookstore:

Rain Dragon let us know very quickly she did not want to be there:

Not another book event!

Stop signing!

but as they say, the show must go on. And it did, even though many lovely readers had to wait

thanks so much for coming!!

and patiently bear a wailing baby to get a signed book:

This photo from an attendee pretty much sums up the event: a lovely reader, me (completely harried) , Rain Dragon (screaming) and Sasquatch (smiling in disbelief at his hysterical baby). Who said being an author was glamorous?

Eeks! I feel like I owe the readers of PA an apology or at least a do-over with a calm baby.  She usually is a really happy baby. See, this is her only the night before:

in less the 24 hours I will be miserable

Sigh. I think I might have to rethink my school visit schedule in the spring.

on my desk monday

Sold Starry River of the Sky prints from my etsy shop that I am preparingto send out!

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:
cookie
bǐnggān
饼干

fortune cookie friday

"You cannot be grateful and bitter.
You cannot be grateful and unhappy.
 You cannot be grateful and without hope.
 You cannot be grateful and unloving.
 So just be grateful."
-unknown

Starry River of the Sky Readers!

More photos of my beautiful readers with Starry River of the Sky for my giveaway drawing!

 And the deadline is now extended to Dec. 5th (winners announced on the 6th), so get your photos in!

events & giveaway extension

So, if you've noticed my updated tour schedule, I'll be at Children's Book World in Haverford, PA this Saturday. And then we are speeding off home right after that Saturday morning event because I have my the FCB's bookclub meeting on Sunday afternoon (I think there is one space left so claim it now if you want to come!). Hopefully,  Rain Dragon won't get too cranky!

But with all that rushing and traveling, I've decided to extend the deadline for my Starry River of the Sky Giveaway! You now have until midnight on December 5th to share your photo, and I will announce the winners--including the grand prize winner of the portrait painting on--December 6th! So get your entries in!!

cyber tuesday

Okay, yesterday was the biggest online shopping day of the year but I couldn't get my act together quickly enough to put an announcement out...so here's my cyber tuesday announcements!

Get Personally Signed Books:

For the past couple years, I've teamed up with Porter Square Books to offer my books personally autographed books for the holidays and I'm doing it again this year. However, this is the last year. Yes, it's official--the Sasquatch, Rain Dragon and I are moving! I'm not sure if there'll be a bookstore close enough for me to do this again (boo-hoo!) so take advantage now!

How does it work?

Simply call the Porter Square Bookstore at 617-491-2220 (you can also order online) BEFORE December 14th and ask for a signed or personalized copy of any of my books from Starry River of the Sky to Ling and Ting. (You can browse all my available books HERE).

You pay for the book(s), shipping, and handling, and the bookstore will ship signed stock in time for the occasion, even gift-wrapped if requested. Remember, if you want the books personalized, to provide the name of recipient to bookseller. And, if you order Starry River of the Sky, I'll throw in one of the glow-in-the-dark stickers for you!

New Etsy Prints:

And to go with that personally autographed book, you can also get a personally autographed print from my Etsy shop! I've just added new prints from Starry River of the Sky as well as restocked some old favorites.  Go to HERE to see!

on my desk monday

I'm hard at work on the illustrations for the second Ling & Ting book!

Just like the art process I did for Starry River of the Sky, I enlarged my small thumbnail sketch:

transferred the basic foundation of it onto watercolor paper and redrew it, tightening and adding details:

I have to do this to every drawing before I get to paint and it is rather a long process...which has only been made longer with the "help" of my new assistant:

But we'll get it done...hopefully!

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:
delicious
hěn hǎochī
很 好吃

places for peace

CNN interviewed me for their Thanksgiving story, "Special Places to Find Gratitude."  I had to really think of what places I found most peaceful. In the end, I told the author about my experience of seeing the Big Buddha during my trip to Hong Kong. I'm not sure if that is really my most zen place but looking over my old Hong Kong blog posts did make me a bit wistful for overseas travels and adventure. Maybe when Rain Dragon gets a little older!