Things in Common

Another librarian in my district has been pleasant enough through the years, but recent events have helped us realize all the things we have in common - and how much we enjoy each other's company. Today we spent most of the day together, kneading bread dough, talking about books, sharing knitting patterns, walking in the woods, eating foods we love, drinking tea, giving each other handmade gifts, and knitting while our loaves baked. It was a splendid day! We each have two fresh loaves of bread to share with our families and things to ponder until we meet again.

She asked to borrow one of my precious books (out of print, personalized by the author, given to me by my intrepid mother): Ken Haedrich's Country Baking: Simple Home Baking with Wholesome Grains and the Pick of the Harvest. Normally, I would not loan this book to anyone, but knowing her well now, I know she will treat it with love and cherish the baking experiences with it.

Studio Enlightenment #4

Eileen Christelow and her dog Emma welcomed me to their studio one day last week. Emma rested on her bed by Eileen's drawing table while we chatted. Eileen was finishing the details for a new Five Little Monkeys book. Spreads from the book adorned her white walls, and the many shades of green from her beautiful gardens and woodsy yard shown in contrast through the windows. Using her drawing tablet, she showed how she can adjust the colors of a page so simply with a click or two in Photoshop. Still, the sides of her computer "paper" were marked by various brushstroke colors, just as if she had been painting on paper. I loved seeing how she meticulously organized the versions of each double-page spread to save the changes and revisions.

Studio Enlightenment #3

Visiting Cyndy Szekeres in her Vermont home was such a pleasure. The home boasts high ceilings and wonderful woodwork and windows. Her studio is filled with bookshelves, artwork (her own and pieces by her favorite friends), loads of pencils, an amazingly designed drawing table, and so many interesting sculptures and items that I restrained myself from inquiring about everything. Throughout our conversation, I learned layers of information and came to respect this prolific illustrator even more than I had previously. She takes her work seriously, sketching every morning. Years of sketching mice that had lived in a home aquarium or that had been delivered to her slipper by the family cat has made her work anatomically correct and anthropomorphically amusing.

Taped to her desk lamp is a quote from her late and dear husband Jerry:
"He who speaks the truth must have a saddled horse."
She confidently spoke truth and stayed across the table to expand upon her words. I savored every minute.

Studio Enlightenment #2

Imagine the opportunity to design a workspace to your own specifications. Author/illustrator Diane deGroat was privileged to create the studio of her dreams, complete with a gallery, a library, and lots of storage areas! It is light-filled, welcoming, and brimming with objects and art that represent her personality, talents, and artistic career. I was privileged to spend time in her space, learning about how she works digitally and talking about her unique and lovely studio. Of special interest to many might be her collection of animals that used to help her as drawing tools! A Gilbert model hangs above her desk!

Reading in Order

My inclination to read the end of the story first waned the past few days as Sharon Creech's soon-to-be released book The Great Unexpected held my curiosity. Narrated by Naomi, a wise young orphan girl living in Blackbird Tree, the story weaves so many people's lives together. I felt like I was walking along the crooked bridge described by the young Finn Boy who falls from a tree in the beginning of the book. With each chapter, I had more questions and a wee bit more insight until, just like for Naomi and her friend Lizzie Scatterding, all was woven together and revealed in such an amazing way. As she has done so well in past books, Sharon created characters that intrigued me (Mrs. Kavanagh who wants a murder and revenge, Pilpenny, the unfortunate souls, Mr. Dingle, and that Finn boy), adding Irish legend into the plot as well.

Near the end, Naomi captured some of what I wondered (and still ponder):
"I wondered if the things that might seem frightening could lose their hold over you. I wondered if we find the people we need when we need them. I wondered if we attract our future by some sort of invisible force, or if we are drawn to it by a similar force."

Wumbers

Sometimes I cannot restrain myself at the bookshop. I pick up a book and know I have to purchase it - either for me or for someone special to me. The other day it was the new book wri10 by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and illustr8edTom Lichtenheld (whom I really hope to meet someday). Entitled Wumbers, it is a book of words cre8ed with numbers. Get it? I have been thinking in number/words since them, imagining how she made lists of possibilities and figured out ways to integr8 them in2 a book. Reminiscent of William Steig's CDB, I know it will be a popular book with children as a read-aloud selection, an independent choice, and a shared book. Ingenious!

Studio Enlightenment

Visiting Lita Judge's studio this week, the light coming in her north window brightened the space, adding illumination to her work. On the boards surrounding her drawing table, works in progress, works completed, and works in possibility shone in various stages of color. Her cat enjoyed the northern light and stretched along the window ledge, indulging in the afternoon calm. In her peace-filled space, I was pleased to read the folded and gathered version of Red Hat, a delightful sequel to the delightful Red Sled. Imagine what Bear and his friends do when they borrow the red hat from the boy's clothesline!