Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Christmas Books for Children's Hospital...


Since our sophomore year of high school my Blanchet girlfriends and I have been enjoying an annual Christmas party and gift exchange (believe we just celebrated #14?!) and this year we decided to donate new children's books to kids at Seattle Children's Hospital (just a few of the books pictured above). I am so grateful for this amazing group of ladies and their generosity, friendship and love throughout the years. May our tradition continue always! And may everyone have a Merry Christmas and a joyful New Year!

Cheers!

Monday, December 16, 2013

"The love of it is great, huge and it will be with me forever. I blundered into it, found I could do it well. It has raised me from nothing into something, not a lot, but something. 
If you do something well and you enjoy it, what more can you bloody well ask?"
~Peter O'Toole

Inspiration Lives Here...

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Book Gift #12

The twelfth day of Christmas is here and so is our final book gift idea. And what's better at Christmastime than a treasured classic that truly captures the magic of the season?
So here it is, #12 on the list-
Chris Van Allsburg's wonderful The Polar Express!
 

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Merry Christmas Wishes...

From a little Christmas elf :)
 

Miss Maggie Mae, age 2

Book Gift #11

Being a writer I don't always recommend wordless picture books :) but this one is simply adorable. Fuzzy felt makes for one super cute and cozy picture book!
 


Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Book Gift #10

For the mischievous reader on your list enjoy Mac Barnett's and John Scieszka's brilliantly funny, graffitied masterpiece Battle Bunny
 

Monday, December 9, 2013

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year...


My husband and I went out to a Northbend tree farm this weekend and cut down a cute little 5ft Noble Fir for our first Christmas tree in our first home. So proud! What joy this season brings!






Book Gift #9

My favorite version of The Nutcracker illustrated by Maurice Sendak. As a Seattle native I grew up attending the Sendak and Stowell produced Pacific Northwest Ballet of the Nutcracker and this accompanying book was absolutely magical to me...
 

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Book Gift #7

A wonderful winter story that can be enjoyed all year long!
Cub's Big World explores the timeless themes of a mother's eternal love and a child finding the balance between independence and support when they need it most.
 

Book #6

In a word- beautiful. 
A perfect bedtime story
 

Book Gift #5

Imaginative, silly, sweet fun
 

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Book Gift #4

Nancy Tillman's beautiful You Are Loved Collection makes a perfect gift for any child or expectant family. The illustrations are stunning and magical, the messages timeless, lyrical and oh so heartfelt. The collection includes On the Night You Were Born; Wherever You Are, My Love Will Find You; and The Crown on Your Head. My favorite book set to give :)
 
 


The Joy of Reading...

Book Gift #3

The just released and simply lovely Once Upon a Memory written by Nina Laden and illustrated by Renata Liwska
 


Author Nina Laden and illustrator Renata Liwska celebrating their book launch at Secret Garden Books in Ballard, WA
 

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

"You know, I've been doing this for twenty years, and I'm continually dissatisfied. I make a religion of being dissatisfied. I don't think there is a point in doing a book and saying,  'Isn't that wonderful?' Then you don't learn. When people ask what's the best book you ever did, there's no point in saying, 'Oh, that was four years ago.' That means everything since was worse, right? So I say, it's the next book. Then, you know, even though I've done the best book I think I can do, I know the book I'm going to do might be even better. It's all delusion, but it does keep one trying one's best."
 
~Arnold Lobel 

Book Gift #2

A must have on every bookshelf in my opinion and a 2013 Caldecott Honor recipient no less, by the incredible pairing of Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen, and personally one of my all time favorite picture books:
 
 
A perfect gift!


Monday, December 2, 2013

Gifting Books this Christmas!

First on the list of perfect books for gifts this year:
 
 
Available from the Greenwood Space Travel Supply Store, by
826 Seattle



#InspirationLivesHere...



Some of My Favorite Winter Reads...

Love the Last Line...

My uncle the voracious (understatement) reader emailed me today:
 
 
"Jess,
    I'm attaching a letter I've written to your cousin, Christiana.  I'm sending her a copy of Orwell's 1984, a copy in which I've made extensive margin notes.  Of course, I'll put a twenty dollar bill in with the letter on p. 112, but I'm wondering if this is even appropriate.  I think she's a reader. I know she likes The Hunger Games.  But I was fifteen when I first read 1984 and I think it's time she read something other than fluff. Am I pushing too hard, d'ya think?  I really have no idea what a girl of fifteen thinks about these days. But you know me and books.  I want to give her a fighting chance in life.
    Thanks,
Uncle John"
 
I always believe in giving kids books that will challenge them and broaden their horizons. The right book at a pivotal moment in young adulthood can be life changing, and that is a magical and powerful thing. What a gift. Books give us a fighting chance in life. I'd have to agree wholeheartedly.