Sunday, November 2, 2014

"The last thing I’ll say about why picture books matter is this: they are art, and not just because of the illustrations. The way that words and illustrations come together to create something more than the sum of the parts – that is a thing of beauty.

The children in our lives deserve beauty. So, please, give them picture books."

~Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Happy Birthday to Me!

(Thank you Goodreads for the following quote today...)

You can't stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes. 

A.A. Milne

August 21, 1920: A.A. Milne and his wife thought that their baby was going to be a girl. When he emerged a boy, the parents chose a new name for him—Christopher Robin. It would be popularized in Milne's many Winnie-the-Pooh stories of a boy and his bear.

Thursday, July 31, 2014

Happy Birthday Harry!

Love this article from E!:

11 Life Lessons I Learned After Finally Reading Harry Potter for the First Time at Age 30 

Goodreads...

Perfectly timed Goodreads quote in my inbox this morning:

We do not need magic to transform our world. We carry all the power we need inside ourselves already. 

-J.K Rowling

"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies..." This was the prophecy that marked Harry Potter's fate. Guess who shares his birthday? Happy 49th, J.K. Rowling!

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

My Girls...


Seven years with the Faucett Family, it's been an honor and a joy everyday!


"We're going with you whatever happens," said Ron.

-Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Just finished reading the 6th Harry Potter book with Nellie, and what a fun ride it's been! My time nannying for the Faucett girls comes to an end this week and it is a very emotional moment for us. Unfortunately, we won't be able to finish the Potter series, with just one book left but not enough days left to read it before I leave for my new job with the Bertschi School. All these endings are difficult and incredibly sad, but we know that it is time for new adventures for all. And like Harry, Ron and Hermione we'll always be there for each other with a lasting, lifelong love and friendship.


Wednesday, July 16, 2014

"Metaphor is the lifeblood of all art."

~Twyla Tharp
from
A Whole New Mind
By Daniel Pink

Monday, July 7, 2014

My Summer Reading List...

Mornings in Jenin 
By Susan Abulhawa

Goliath: Life and Loathing in Greater Israel 
By Max Blumenthal

Bittersweet 
By Miranda Beverly-Whittemore

The Goldfinch 
By Donna Tartt

The Silkworm 
By Robert Galbraith *JK Rowling

A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule The Future
By Daniel H. Pink


Tuesday, June 3, 2014

"Kids should be reading our best work, not our first tries...

Grant me the courage to continue to submit the manuscripts that work,
the skill to fix the ones that don’t,
and the wisdom to know the difference.
Also, chocolate and coffee would be good.

Happy writing. Happy submitting. Keep the faith."

~Deborah Underwood

Saturday, May 31, 2014

Introducing...

My nephew, Zachary Daniel Chambers is here!!! Born 6:29pm May 31, 2014 7lbs 12oz

First grandchild for Grandma Teresa!


Bertschi School...

OUR MISSION

Bertschi School educates children to become compassionate, confident and creative learners in a global community.

OUR VALUES 

Our community values integrity, inclusiveness, respect, diversity and a commitment to sustainability.

I am so excited to join the Bertschi community next fall!!
"Never say 'no' to adventures. Always say 'yes,' otherwise you'll lead a very dull life." 
author of the James Bond series and the children's book Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Change on the Horizon...

After 7 years (!) nannying for the greatest family in the world, I will be leaving them this August. It will be incredibly difficult to leave "my" kids and the whole family, really, who have all become such a huge part of me and my whole life. I was offered a job today to be the Assistant Second Grade Teacher at the Bertschi School, and I am super excited for the new challenges and opportunities this position will bring. But it is a bittersweet moment, knowing that one chapter in my life is coming to a close. I know I am ready to take on this new direction, but my heart still feels the heaviness that leaving "home" always brings. I am so thankful for the family that came into my life 7 years ago and introduced me to the two girls that hold my heart, gave me a job that never felt like work, and prepared me for motherhood in a way no other career could have done. It has been the greatest honor to collaborate with this family and help raise their two incredibly, superbly wonderful children.
"Wherever you are: my love will find you"
~Nancy Tillman

"Still I Rise"...

Farewell Dr. Maya Angelou

"My mission in life is not merely to survive, 
but to thrive; 
and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style."

~Dr. Maya Angelou
poet, 
educator, 
historian, 
 author, 
actress, 
playwright, 
producer and director,
civil rights activist
global Renaissance woman

Friday, May 23, 2014

"Stop acting so small. 
You are the universe in ecstatic motion." 

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Love These Little Free Libraries...

A "take a book, return a book" gathering place for neighbors!

Here's one in Laurelhurst:


"What are you going to do? Everything, is my guess. It will be a little messy, but embrace the mess. It will be complicated, but rejoice in the complications." 

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

"You're going to make it, I know you will."

~Bonnie Becker to me!, author of A Visitor For Bear and 12 other picture books, personal hero
Inside Story, Mockingbird Books

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

The artist doesn’t wait for inspiration, they act in the anticipation of its apparition.

-Steven Pressfield, The War of Art

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

How Sweet!

Which Children’s Book Character Are You?

  1. You got: The Tree from “The Giving Tree”
    shel silverstein / Via blogger.com

    You are such a strong person. Your friends and family always rely on you as their rock. Your supportive nature defines you, and your selflessness speaks volumes.

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

"It's only a picture book when the words are involved with the pictures."

~David Mackintosh

author, illustrator of Standing in for Lincoln Green;
 Marshall Armstrong is New to Our School;
The Frank Show






Wednesday, March 19, 2014

“Give me a story that just makes me unreasonably vigilant. Keep me up till five only because all your stars are out, and for no other reason.”

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

"Keep reading... not all readers are writers, but all writers are readers."

~Ralph Fletcher

(Thanks Denise!)

Saturday, March 1, 2014

"Boredom is the enemy."

~Laura Vaccaro Seeger

WWU Children's Lit Conference 2014
"The first thing you write- it's terrible.

It only gets better by revising."

~ author Jennifer L. Holm

WWU Children's Literature Conference 2014

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Word of the Day...


Whimsy

Favorite Book This Week...


And another lovely how to picture book to add to the list! I could not love this book more. Perfection 

Simply Read Books out of Vancouver, Canada is simply putting out the best, most beautiful books for children

“A children's story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children's story in the slightest.”

~ C.S. Lewis


Thursday, February 20, 2014

Favorite Instructionals This Week...


Loving the trend of How To books cropping up in PBs, especially these two super funny ones! Both have great humor and originality that rings true to authentic kid voice and vision.

Truth of the Day...

"My brothers all said
sometimes there's an owl
and sometimes there isn't..."

~Owl Moon By Jane Yolen, illus by John Schoenherr

Friday, February 14, 2014

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Truth of the Day...

"Sometimes you just need a big whopping thunderstorm to clear the air."

"Yes," said Tulip, "thunderstorms are absolutely necessary."

Friends, too, thought Toot.

~Toot & Puddle: You Are My Sunshine




Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Word of the Day...

BALANCHINE 

Farewell Sendak & Stowell Nutcracker...


  I am deeply saddened to say goodbye to this beloved Seattle tradition, enjoyed throughout my childhood and well into adulthood, but at the same time excited to see what lovely whimsy Ian Falconer will bring to a new production.

~courtesy Ian Falconer, The Seattle TImes

The Boxtrolls Official Trailer



This movie looks incredible!

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Oh Joy, A Baby BOY!












I'm going to be an aunt!!
So excited for his arrival on June 13, 2014
Congratulations Jennifer & Nyle Chambers!

Word of the Day...


HABERDASHERY

Truth of the Day...


"Yee-haw!" says Cowboy. "You fixed it."

Octopus says, "Some things work better with a friend."

~COWBOY & OCTOPUS
By Jon Scieszka & Lane Smith



Monday, January 27, 2014

Caldecott & Newbery Winners Announced Today!



You Can Teach an Old Picture Book New Tricks...

"Once upon a time, there was this bear. One minute, he was strolling in the woods, all happy-go-lucky....
The next minute, he didn't have a crumb-of-a-clue where he was.
He was one COMPLETELY lost bear."

GOLDILOCKS AND JUST ONE BEAR is a lovely retelling (more of a sequel, really) of the Goldilocks tale by Leigh Hodgkinson with a fresh and fun new take on the story. I absolutely adore the originality of this voice and the use of fanciful language throughout. The surprise twist at the end is just the icing on the cake of this picture book delight! This is a perfect example of how you put a new spin on an age-old tale.

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Mockingbird Books Best Sellers...

Thanks to Mockingbird Books for sharing this info, it's so good to stay on top of what's selling in the market. Gotta love and support our local, independent bookstores!

OUR BEST SELLERS OF 2013 (We thought you might like to know!)
Board Books (some of our topselling Authors - too many great ones to list)
Bonny Becker
Loren Long
Matthew Porter
Leslie Patricelli
Alice Shertle
Picture Books
Good Night, Good Night Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker & Tom Lichtenheld
The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt
Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin
How to Train a Train by Jason Carter Eaton
Books for Ages 4-8
Cinderella Smith by Stephanie Barden
Horatio's One Wish by Josh Kriesberg
Mercy Watson to the Rescue by Kate DiCamillo
My Father's Dragon by Ruth Gannett
Books for Ages 9-12
Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein
Sasquatch Escape #1 by Suzanne Selfors
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
Books for Ages 11-13
Counting by 7's by Holly Sloan
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
Candymakers by Wendy Mass
Kiki Strike #1 Inside the Shadow City by Kirsten Miller
Books for Young Adults
Book Thief  by Markus Zusak
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
An Abundance of Katherines by John Green
Jumped In by Patrick Flores-Scott
Historical Fiction
Heart of a Samurai by Margi Preus
Shadow on the Mountain by Margi Preus
Hild by Anicola Griffith
Written in Stone by Roseanne Parry
Graphic Novels
Bird and Squirrel on the Run by James Burks
Smile by Raina Telgemeier
Smash: Trial by Fire by Chris Bolton
Copper by Kazu Kibuishi