I love children’s books, tiny tiny ducks, crayons, legos, popsicles, soap bubbles, and, yes, play dough. Do note the impressive play dough collection I was given by my family this year—further proof that I may be chronologically 59 years old, but inside I’m no more than 7.

Another stack of zines carrying heartbreakingly vital information appeared in my Little Free Library today. To the creator & to the person who left them in my library—I send my deepest thanks. It touched my soul to find these. I only wish that they weren’t needed—but they are. They absolutely are.

Duck update: my writing partner & I meet weekly at the same cafe to write the things. I always leave our servers ducks & they never fail to smile. I recently added multi-colored ducks to my usual classic yellow. I wasn’t quite expecting such excitement-but very excited they definitely were.

Today at Michael’s craft store I gave 5 tiny ducks to an employee who noticed me gazing at a bin of rubber rainbow ducks. “I’ve already bought 3 of those.” She admitted. So of course I pulled out my little pouch of tiny ducks and tipped some into her hand. She did smile. Mission accomplished.

I’m in beautiful Barcelona, where the history is deep, the people wonderful, and the graffiti bird blobs utterly adorable.

These amazing zines just appeared in my little free library. The leaver is a mystery, but the creator is librarian Julie Setele, who fills their zine with empowering messages & vital resources. I'll be keeping my library well-stocked with these!
@juliesetele.bsky.social
@zinelib.bsky.social

The mysterious origins of The Giant Jam Sandwich are revealed! If you're a research junkie, this post's for you and it's all thanks to @allthebooks.bsky.social #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2025/01/23/t...

Pre-dawn at Midway Airport in Chicagoland. On my way to share all the groovy Publisher Spotlight book love at the NAEYC
Conference. Businessman in front of me in security line scurried over to trash to throw away his drink bottle, paused, then shoved it into a large potted plant. Recycling??!

Oh shrill and alarming tornado warning in summer storming Chicagoland. I know why your voice was sent. Now there are 3 huge dogs, 2 kittens, and three human beings all pacing in circles in my basement.

Tricksters & punsters
Mischievous monsters
Tomfoolery poke-sters,
Too-boastful jokesters.
Banana peel slipsters,
Jump out & scaresters.
Funny-until-it-really-is-not-sters.
All of this around my poor brain stirs-
Pray how did April Fool’s Day start sirs?
Don’t look at me, I don’t have the answers.

Our new rescue kittens got more than just a forever home—it seems they also got a mama dog they never knew they needed. Then again, Miso never showed any particular mama dog behaviors until these two little fur balls appeared in her life. Let the adorable hijinks commence!

I just finished my 13th Nanowrimo with 50,407 words. Tired fingers, full heart, happy imagination. Next up—EDITING! Aaagh!

It’s my 13th year to huddle over my keyboard as I once again embark on a NaNoWriMo 50,000 word adventure. Coffee jitters? Word count worries? Finger cramps? Bring it on!

This morning while I was making my coffee, puppy Katsu shared his opinion about his doggie kindergarten classes. Unfortunately he shared this opinion with his kindergarten teacher human mommy who is immune to adorably ironic displays such as these.

Newly adopted rescue puppy Katsu learns the ropes from big sis & brother when mac & cheese aromas are detected. Key question: Can mom resist 3 pairs of intently imploring eyeballs? Predictable answer: Nope. They all got teeny nibbles—AFTER I was done. Because I am stern & unyielding…kinda.

At Midway Airport this morning to jet off to Nashville for weekend retreat with Publisher Spotlight team. Noted the lines at bagel sellers & coffee sellers were substantially longer than lines for pizza, ribs, & burgers. So I went to the airport bookshop as books are more tasty & similarly priced.

I drove past a Burger King establishment yesterday and noticed that their door handles were spatulas. Now I’m worried that their door handles have ALWAYS BEEN SPATULAS and I was just too distracted to notice.

DON'T MISS THIS! The Children's Literature & Reading Special Interest Group is hosting a virtual discussion on DUNCAN TONATIUH'S incredible book A LAND OF BOOKS. Event starts at 7pm ET TOMORROW, July 19th. The event zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89499862433pwd=TDhBM1loMXl3TDlCWm9FbUx2S2F1dz09