i haiku you blog stops #2 and #3

Blog stop #2: kathytemean.wordpress.com
Thanks to Kathy Temean for yesterday's lovely feature and for hosting an I Haiku You book giveaway. To enter: 1. Tweet this link: http://kathytemean.wordpress.com/2013/02/05/i-haiku-you/. 2. Then go to the same link and leave a comment with your name and contact info.Winner will be announced on Valentine's Day!

Kathy also did this feature about me back on December 1st.

Blog stop #3: parentteacher.uskidsmags.com
Thanks to Sarah Hann at US Kids Magazine for today's feature! Sarah also did this review of I Haiku You. And there is another book giveaway here!

Follow me on Twitter + Facebook for blog tour updates and announcements!

the art of writing haiku for kids

My I Haiku You blog tour starts today! I'm so excited to announce that my first stop is the The Children's Book Review. My guest post is all about "The Art of Writing Haiku for Kids". Once I got over the nerves of writing it, I had so much fun and realized I had a lot to share about making books.

Please stay tuned all week for more blog stops and book giveaways! You can find I Haiku You at your local book shop or online sites like Amazon. It makes a perfect gift for that special someone or little one on Valentine's Day or any time of year.

Here's a great review that ran in yesterday's Cleveland Plain Dealer (my local paper):

Also, click here to view some photos from a Valentine Story Time I did with my friend Susan Reagan (check out her new book Tweet Hearts). We had a great turnout and I want to thank everyone that braved the snowflakes to come out and support us. It meant so much to be able to gather with family, friends and other book buds (at a flower shop, of course) to celebrate our love of books! I made my own haiku fortune cookies as party favors (with haiku from the book and stickers inside)!

who do you haiku?

Valentine's Day is right around the corner and I've been planning some fun book events for my newest picture book, I Haiku You. Here's what's in store so far:

-Valentine Story Time Feb. 2 at 11am at the Urban Orchid in Ohio City. This is a joint book launch party for I Haiku You and my friend Susan Reagan's Tweet Hearts (both books published by Random House). We'll have a story time, crafts, and treats for the kids.

-Random House has organized a blog tour for me that starts next week, with lots of interviews and guest posts and book giveaways!

-Susan and I will also be signing our books at Banyon Tree for the 20th Anniversary of Tremont Art Walk on Feb. 8.

Follow me on Twitter and Facebook for daily updates and announcements.

Oh, and have you seen the trailer my husband animated? (He's a keeper)

happy halloween!

© AGG, Inc.

Here's a card idea I did several years ago while working at American Greetings. Hope your Halloween is A-MAZING!

psst!

Psst! Since it seems that the word is getting out, I think it's finally safe to share the news myself. Are you ready? Ok. Here it is:

 I haiku you. 

Um (*blush*), I mean, that's the name of my next picture book with Random House.























 I Haiku You is coming this December 26, just in time for Valentine's Day but perfect for any day of the year! This book is very close to my heart, and I hope it can make its way into yours too. It's meant for all ages, and it's a sweet little gift for that special someone.

Stay tuned for more sneak peeks as the pub date gets closer!

very hungry caterpillars...

A few weeks ago, during my New England vacation, Jeff and I took a detour to the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, MA, where Eric Carle was doing a book signing. Thank goodness I have a husband that "gets" what this experience means to me and actually insisted we go. When it comes to children's book heroes, Eric Carle is "it" for me. And he was exactly what I expected in person—kind, humble, and so willing to share. And what a warm smile! I feel so lucky I had the chance to meet him and to visit his museum (which was wonderful, by the way).

Standing in line at the museum, waiting for my turn, made me realize how many lives all over the world have been touched and made better by Eric Carle's books. All those people that day were there for some reason—to shake his hand, to celebrate his books, to say thank you. His books are woven with universal messages of belonging and perseverance and hope, but I think the story of his own life is perhaps the best example of what each of us are capable of. We are all very hungry little caterpillars, awkwardly waiting to become, aren't we? Thanks to all those moms, dads, grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, teachers, kids, friends and mentors that encourage our hungry appetites for learning, recognize our talents, and inspire us to grow into something beautiful. And thanks Mr. Carle!

special delivery!

Hooray, the day is finally here! Ready, set, GO!...Tons of Trucks (the books, that is) are headed your way for a special delivery.

If you are in the Cincinnati or Cleveland/Akron areas, please come to one of my book signings and bring the kiddos for a story time and truck-related craft.

CINCINNATI
Monday, July 9 at 10:30am
Joseph-Beth Booksellers
Rookwood Pavilion
2692 Madison Road
Cincinnati, OH 45208


CLEVELAND/AKRON
Saturday, July 14 at 1:00pm
The Learned Owl Book Shop
204 N. Main St.
Hudson, OH 44236

You can read a few nice reviews here and here.

Special thanks to author Sue Fliess for giving me such a great manuscript to work from and to the whole team at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for being such a great support!