Expletive!

          Certain words are getting too commonplace for my taste. It seems that every time I pass someone on the street they are saying f-ing this or f-ing that!

          For this reason I propose going back to the expletives of the past!

         Bring back the following more descriptive pronouncements:

        Thunderation!

        Egads!

        Gadzooks!

       Zounds!

       Dagnabbit!

       Goshdarnit!

       By Jove!

and the always popular -  Gee Willikers!

     What ancient swear words can you come up with?

     Please join me in adding more colorful, colorful, language to our world!

       

FAIRIES AND DINOSAURS

        It is interesting to note that children's book interests seem to be the same worldwide. A friend was over for dinner and he showed some pictures he had photoshopped of his grandniece and nephew in Germany, the children with dinosaurs and fairies. And unicorns. Dinosaurs, fairies and unicorns are exactly what children in the USA love too.

     That goes with my theory that childhood is a subculture. Children worldwide relate to one another because they are united. They go to school, they play with dolls and blocks, their families make them good food, they have friends, they read books, they run and they laugh.  

     Lucky children do at least. In 2022, far too many children are starving, unable to attend school, have no shelter, ragged clothing, no one, and not much, to laugh about. What could this world be if every child, each and every, had love, support, healthcare and adequate food?

    So I will revel in the fact that lucky children worldwide can spend their days thinking about dinosaurs, fairies and unicorns, a magical world where anything can happen. And perhaps one day that bit of magic can be spread over all.

STORYTELLING

    When I was studying to become a children's librarian, storytelling was a part of the curriculum. Several of us formed a storytelling group, led by our wonderful teacher and mentor, the fabulous Jan Lieberman. We told stories at conferences and meetings, at bookstores, schools and on local radio. 

     Once I completed my master's degree and became a librarian, storytelling was part of the job. I would plan preschool storytime for the younger children, and storytelling would be part of my programming for school age children. These programs were well attended. When I visited school classrooms, I would tell the children a story. On Halloween, several children's librarians would get together for spooky stories program. Those stories were really great!

    Most storytellers had a specialty, stories that they preferred to tell. Mine was classic fairy tales. There are so many exquisite stories, but only some which "spoke" to me, in terms of feeling I could tell them well. One story I enjoyed telling was "The Twelve Dancing Princesses", which is actually a quite intricate tale featuring a clock of invisibility, an enchanted kingdom and shoes which were danced to pieces in the night. On the scary side, one of the stories I told was "Mr. Fox". "Lady Mary was young, Lady Mary was fair. She had seven brothers and more suitors than she could count, but the one she liked the most was a certain Mr. Fox." It's quite a gothic tale which ends with a bloody severed hand - "Here's hand and ring I have to show!" 

      I remember what hard work it was to learn a story. I would read it over and over. Then, as Jan suggested, practice it in front of the mirror until I knew it well. This took time! I would also have to learn to tell it in my own way, speak slowly, add drama and my own interpretation. 

     Unfortunately, storytelling is not part of the programming at most public libraries anymore. There are so many wonderful children's books, and reading aloud to children is great fun. But it is not the same as storytelling and hearing a story told does something for the mind and imagination that is unique.

     I have always wanted to attend the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee. Perhaps I finally will this year, covid permitting! I wish I had gone years ago when I could have heard storytelling master, Jackie Torrance, perform.

    Here is a picture of me from long ago, telling stories to a group of children at a bookstore. I love their expressions! 

 

PUBLICATION DAY

    I am very happy that my board book Peek-A-Boo Passover will be out in the world, published, on February 1. It received a nice review in Kirkus too!

In a variation of the popular peekaboo game, a White toddler peeps out from behind his fingers and notes all of the items on the dinner table. There are candles, matzah, an egg on the seder plate, parsley, and Elijah’s cup. There’s also a pillow for reclining, a bowl of matzah ball soup, and the Haggadah (a liturgical book that recounts the story of the biblical Exodus). The illustrations provide only a glimpse of each item at first; children must turn the pages to discover what each object is. After all is revealed, the boy and his family—a mother, father, and grandfather—offer up a spirited rendition of “Had Gadya” (“One Little Goat”), a playful, cumulative song traditionally sung at the conclusion of the seder. At the end, readers are invited to identify objects on their own tables. With just one line of text per page and colorful, digital illustrations throughout, this board book can serve as a fun introduction to an important Jewish festival, ideally facilitated by adults who can fill in additional details. The male characters wear kippot, and the mother serves the soup. A delightful element of the visual narrative is the family cat who mimics the boy’s facial expressions.

Festive fun for the preschool set that serves up good educational fare, too. (Board book. 2-4)

THANK YOU, P.G. WODEHOUSE

      Thank you, P.G. Wodehouse, for providing me a delightful escape in this time of the pandemic and other woes. I refer to my reading of the novel, Leave It To Psmith, found in a book I inherited from my late uncle, Nothing But Wodehouse. I have always been a Wodehouse fan, but had not read this particular novel before. Of course, anything with a character named Freddie Threepwood is bound to be enjoyable! This book is edited by Ogden Nash, who also provides an introduction. 

     Here is his wonderful introduction:

The work of P.G. Wodehouse needs no introduction.

                                                                    O. N.

      

       Ha!

WRITING INFO

  

   Every month or so I receive an email, usually from a friend of a friend, wanting to introduce me to someone they know who is interested in writing books for children. And that's great. I am always happy to provide information about writing and the children's book industry. 

     What's not so great? Nine times out of ten the people who contact me aren't really interested in children's books or the children's book industry. They just want me to tell them how to get a manuscript they wrote, sometimes as long as thirty years ago, published. Whatever information I provide about children's books is secondary to their desire.

    Just as you would in any profession, you have to study, learn and practice. Children books are unique in that format and word count matters. The principles of writing, characterization, plotting, voice take time to master. As in any art form, the market evolves and changes. In children's book there are wonderful classics and brilliant new material and new voices. It's important to read widely and to keep aware of events in the publishing industry too. It's difficult and competitive. To quote from the baseball movie, "A League of Their Own" -

     "It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it great." 

     Am I often frustrated by how hard it is? Of course. The bar is set very high, because so many talented people work in this industry. 

     So please contact me if you are serious about writing or having your manuscript critiqued. But I have no secret formulas, no ins, no recipe, to tell you how to be published except for one. Work hard, learn, present your best work. 

Peek-A-Boo!

      I am very pleased that my first board book, Peek-A-Boo Passover, will be published by Kar-ben

 in spring 2022.

    The brilliant artwork is by illustrator, Viviana Garofoli, who lives in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

    Other good news, the book has been chosen as the PJ Library selection to be sent to one year 

olds in March 2022. And I received an Author Incentive Award - yay!

     Thank you PJ Library and thank you, Kar-ben.

Peter Spier

    I am a great admirer of the work of Peter Spier, and own several of his picture books, notably, 

People, Noah's Ark, Rain, Circus. The Village books were a favorite of my daughters when they

 were young. The only one I have left is Food Market, which is a favorite of my granddaughters. 

I wrote the publisher once, asking if the series could be republished, but I did not receive a 

response. I still think the books are timeless and would be enjoyed!

    With the recent election, I have been thinking a lot of his masterful We the People, his illustrated 

book of the constitution of the United States of America. Not only is it terrifically illustrated, but so 

informative as well.

     What I love so much with all of this books is that they are ones a child can pore over, finding 

more and more in each illustration. Wordless books, like Rain, are particularly wonderful for 

children who are not yet reading.

    I knew that he was Dutch, but I had no idea until recently that his entire family were survivors 

of the Theresienstadt concentration camp. His stories are always so exuberant and joyful.

    For anyone not familiar with his classics, I hope you will have an opportunity to read them.

Ukrainian!

 I saw on my most recent royalty statement that my book has been translated into Ukrainian! Would love to see that, although I definitely don't read Ukrainian, But I hope the kids who were sent the book from PJ Library enjoyed it! Budmo!

Chicken Soup Again!

    Great and unexpected news! Chicken Soup, Chicken Soup is a PJ Library selection for the second time. I only found out because my granddaughter received it as her PJ Library book this month! 

PJ Library Books Arriving This Month: October 2020

Chicken Soup, Chicken Soup

Written by 

Pamela Mayer

Illustrated by 

Deborah Melmon

 

Ages: 6 to 7 Years

Last Sent to Families: October 2020

Publisher: 

Kar-Ben Publishing

What Other Families Say About This Book

"My family is mixed - Jewish & Chinese. When we received this book, it lit up everyone's eyes! It's perfect for our family from two different ethnic and cultural backgrounds, but with the same love for Israel and Judaism!"

"This has become a family FAVORITE! Thank you, PJ Library; the books you send bring joy to our family! "

Fall Writing Frenzy

 

     I just found out about a fabulous-ly fun contest called the FallWritingFrenzy. Here is my entry, based on one of the inspiring photos, 200  words or less.

     

 

THINGS ARE NOT ALWAYS WHAT THEY SEEM

 

     Here they were again.

     At the bottom of the stairs in the same place, the blanket, the open book and the cup of -

     What exactly was in that cup anyway?

     Marla thought about what had happened when she poured the liquid down the sink the last

time, the smell and those sounds. For a moment she thought she would be sick.

     One thing for sure, she had to take care of it quickly before Margery saw it –

     Or Dad.

     The last rays of the setting sun illuminated the yard. Yet Marla felt more than an autumn chill

creeping towards her. She shivered.

     Last time she had bundled the items up in a box and left them by the river.

     Yet here they were again, the same blanket, the same book, the same cup.

     She remembered what Grandmother had taught her, “Things are not always what they seem.”

     This time Marla picked up the book. She read the words on the page.

     So that was it.

    Sitting down on the bottom step she wrapped the blanket around her shoulders.

    Then Marla took a sip from the cup.

TRINA SCHART HYMAN

     I've been thinking about a book I love called Star Mother's Youngest Child. It's a Christmas story and is a beautiful and intricate tale about everything that matters. Star Mother's youngest child wants to celebrate Christmas. When he lands on Earth at the home of a grumpy old woman, against all odds, they experience a gorgeous and meaningful celebration together.

     I think one of the reasons I'm thinking of this book is because of the old woman character. If I remember correctly (unfortunately I do not own a copy of this beloved book), she was so old that everyone had forgotten about her, and cranky in her loneliness. I've been thinking about people who are alone and forgotten during this pandemic and time of isolation, perhaps feeling cranky like the woman in the story. I know I would be feeling that way.

     The story, by Louise Moeri, is enhanced by illustrations by Trina Schart Hyman. Her work and career are so astounding. I own several books which she illustrated, Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White, A Child's Calendar, A Child's Christmas in Wales and Peter Pan, but there are so many more. I'm sure there have been retrospectives of her work, but I've never been to one, and would love to see a show like that. She illustrated over 150 books, and won the Caldecott award, as well as being the first art director of Cricket magazine.

    I once saw her speak, many years ago, and something that sticks in my mind is her work ethic. She mentioned that her daughter had once said that when she woke up in the morning, her mother was working on her illustrations, and when she went to bed at night, she was still working on them. I also remember her saying that she lived in Sweden for a time when she was young, and found out in the forests that elves and trolls and fairies really did exist.

    I hope you take a look at her fabulous work. As for me, it's time to order a copy of Star Mother's Youngest Child. The original publication date is 1975, but there is a 2005 Anniversary Edition, fortunately. By the way, my copy of The Beast of Monsieur Racine should arrive next week!

   

TOMII UNGERER

     I've been thinking of Tomi Ungerer today. I love his work. His children's books were unique, just like him. Years ago I read his autobiography, Tomi: A Childhood Under the Nazis, which was fascinating.
     Of course, I don't know that much about many of today's current children's writers and illustrators, but I'd be surprised if any of them were quite as colorful and original as he was. He was one of a kind.
     Which is not meant to denigrate current artists. There are so many beautiful, splendid books. But some seem more earnest and serious than his were. Perhaps it's a generational thing. Picture books, like any art, are always growing and changing, and his books are from a different era.
    I've been thinking that Molly, my eldest granddaughter, a kindergartner, would appreciate reading some. The Three Robbers is still available at our library (when it reopens after the pandemic), but I will have to buy a copy of The Beast of Monsieur Racine. I think that book will suit her imagination very well. I see that it is available on bookshop.org - yay!
    My daughter has been reading the Laura Ingalls Wilder books to her while school is out. Molly has taken to putting on a bonnet and walking around the backyard many times, to relive the two and a half mile walk Laura took before she went to school. I wonder what it will be like for Molly when school finally starts again, and if she will be able to complete her year of kindergarten. Of course I miss her and her sisters terribly, and her cousin, my one year old granddaughter, Annabelle. I hope I can visit them soon.
     Meanwhile, I'll be here, reading, writing, and visiting old friends by phone, online, and in the pages of books.
 

SHELTER IN PLACE: WEEK TWO: THE NEW ROUTINE

7 a.m. Get up. Make coffee. Turn on the news to see what is happening with the virus. Go outside for newspaper. Hear the birds, breathe the fresh air. Bring coffee to hubby.

7:30 a.m.  FaceTime with granddaughters, E., H. & M.

8 a.m.   Make breakfast. Read newspaper. Do all crosswords and Jumble. Facetime with granddaughter A.

9 a.m. Take shower. Get dressed. Straighten up. Telephone a friend or family member to see how they are.

10 a.m. Turn on the computer. Emails, facebook, news.
Try to work.

11 a.m. Still trying to work.

Noon   Eat lunch. Take a reading break.

1 p.m. Go out for a walk with husband. Stay six feet away from other walkers. Do not look at or talk to other walkers. Waving okay.

3 p.m. Teatime.
Facetime with granddaughters.
Second reading break.

4 p.m.  Clean out a drawer or closer. Bemoan amount of stuff. Keep most of it

5 p.m. Computer

6 p.m. Watch the PBS Newshour. Thank you, Judy.

7 p.m. Dinner
Clean-up

8 p.m.  Televison. Reading.

10 p.m.  Go to sleep

4 a.m. Wake up and worry about the virus

Mouse Songs

   I'll be presenting a program with THE MOUSE WHO DANCED THE HORA at the Jewish Community Library next month. It will be a mouse storytime so I'm busy creating some new flannal board games and songs. Of course, we will dance the hora too, just like our little mouse, Tillie Mouscovitz. PJ Library sent the book to six year olds, but I'm thinking younger children will probably come to the storytime. We shall see!

     There are many books which feature mice as main characters because, like children, they are small but mighty!

Happy Thanksgiving

   Happy Thanksgiving to All. It is good to give thanks. On this cozy, rainy Tuesday as I start my preparations, I look forward to grandchildren, family, cheer and good food on Thursday.  Though the origins of the holiday are not what we were taught in school, the way it is celebrated now, in modern America, is a beautiful thing. May all of the diverse cultures which make up our America lend their own food and traditions to the holiday. Let us all sit around the table together and in the spirit of the holiday honor a day of gratitude, of justice and freedom, happiness too, for us all. And - hey, as I wrote this the clouds parted, the sun shone through and parts of the sky turned blue, even though it is still raining. A metaphor for what will be a beautiful holiday!

BIC

     I am often asked what is the best formula to write a book. Some folks seem to think it's like following a recipe in cooking, put in the ingredients, mix together, stir and voila! If they can just follow the steps, they will be a published writer.
 
     Hmm, it's not that easy, in fact it is rather hard. However, there is a method for writing children's books, just one proven method that works. It is called the BIC method of writing.

    For those who don't know, the BIC method is an acronym. The letters stand for Butt In Chair.

    Yep, that unfortunately is the only known formula. Sit in your chair, put in the time, and do the work.

    Kind of like other professions, isn't it? I suppose that since stories can sometimes create a sort of magic, writing one seems like it should be magical too.

     On several occasions people have told me that they have written a children's book. They tap their temple with their forefinger and say, "It's all right here."

     When the story is in your head, that is called thinking. To write a story, you do have to actually write it down.

     Thanks for listening. Now it's time for me to put my own butt in my chair, and get to work.

HORA

     My new book, THE MOUSE WHO DANCED THE HORA, will be out in September.  It's about a mouse, Tillie Mouscovitz, who longs to dance the hora at a wedding. "But for a mouse - it's not".

     The other day, I had an inspiration about what led me to write this story. I realized that it stemmed from the times I assisted my husband when he photographed weddings and bar/bat mitzvah celebrations. My husband is a professional event photographer. I often went with him, even though sometimes my only task was to watch his equipment. (All of his camera equipment was once stolen from a major San Francisco hotel while he was photographing in a different room). Like Tillie, I was an observer at these events, standing on the sidelines. My husband was busy taking pictures, and the guests were busy dancing.

      It is really hard for a Jewish person not to join in when she hears the music and sees others dancing the hora!

     Actually, the hora is not the only dance which is second nature to me. While waiting in line to order a hot dog at the San Jose Giants game on Memorial Day, I heard the Hokey Pokey being played in the stadium. Of course I put my right foot in and right foot out while waiting in line. I couldn't help it.

     Could you?

BASEBALL

      For those of us who love baseball, there is no other sport like it. The team, the game, the players, the ballpark, the announcers, the fans, the traditions, they all go into what makes baseball so great.

     For those who don't love baseball, it's always the same complaint. "It's too slow."

     Not for me. I am on the edge of my seat throughout a baseball game, and sometimes the tension rises so much when I am watching a game on television that I have to leave the room. We can never be enough runs ahead to be complacent. The game can turn so quickly, and a 4-0 lead can become
a 4-6 loss.

     I've heard it said that baseball is the quintessential American sport. Players are on a team, yet each individual at bat has the power to change the entire course of the game. Besides that, you score when you run home, how sweet is that!

     Going to the ballpark is such a great experience too, the food, the fans, the afternoon in the sun, or evening under the stars. But baseball is also great on the radio. The announcers make the experience of listening so wonderful, and all of the background crowd noises add to the excitement. Televised baseball is another experience, seeing the players up close and personal, watching a replay or  the reaction in the dugout.

      I thank my mom more than anyone else for my love of baseball. When I was a little girl, the San Francisco Giants had "Ladies Day" on Thursday home games. The games had a special reduced rate, which may have been as low as a dollar. My mom, her best friend, Marie, Marie's son, Glen, and I would all board the muni bus for the long ride out to Candlestick Park and a wonderful day at the game.

     Our new ballpark in San Francisco is very beautiful, with a terrific view of the water and boats, great food and atmosphere. But Ladies Day is a thing of the past, of course. Going to the ballpark, especially with a family, is terrifically expensive now.

     I had a neighbor who was from Germany. Her husband was a scientist at a local bio tech firm, and she knew many other European ladies who were also in the USA because of their husbands' jobs. The ladies were from Poland, Sweden, Czech Republic, Turkey, Spain, Belgium. They sometimes asked me to join them on outings. Baseball was such a mystery to them. They all hated it and were particularly incensed by the World Series.

     "How can they call it the "world" series?" one would complain.

     "I know," another would say. "Soccer is the only game."

      "And the World Cup actually invites the world."

     "Besides, it's so slow."

      I tried to explain but soon gave up. They were never going to understand because even though they lived here for years. The World Series is such an American concept. The biggest, the best,the greatest, the World Series.

       The San Francisco Giants had a mediocre season this year. But that's okay, there's always next year. Because, after all, What would life be without baseball?

   

THE ABBY BOB SHOW

     Before our first granddaughter was born, my husband and I contemplated what we wanted her to call us. His choice was "Poppy", which is what he called his own grandfather. I called my grandmothers "Grandma", differentiated by their first names, Grandma Manya and Grandma Marian. But the name "Grandma" made me feel old, so I decided that Molly would call me "Grammy". We would be Grammy and Poppy.

     However, as has proved true over the years, Molly had her own idea. Somehow Grammy and Poppy became Abby and Bob.

    To me, it sounds like a comedy team. In some ways, being a grandparent is a little like being part of a comedy act. We often work together to make our granddaughters laugh and smile. Bah-da-da-bum.

     The first time I was really aware of it was a day when my husband and I were at the playground with Molly. She was probably about one and a half years old then. My husband had gone to the car to get the sand toys and Molly called to him.

     She said, "Bob! Bob!"

      Another grandma, who was standing near to me, gave me a funny look, as if to say, "You let your little granddaughter call her grandfather by his first name?"

     So I said to her, "Oh, his name isn't actually Bob."

     Which made absolutely no sense.

     Over the years, Molly has begun calling my husband Poppy, except when she is referring to both of us. Then we still are AbbyBob. The day we babysit each week is AbbyBob Day. And I had to laugh when we took her to her swimming lesson and she pointed us out to the teacher saying, "There's AbbyBob." I don't think the swim teacher had any idea what Molly was talking about.

     But I'm still Abby. I kind of like it. It's unique. I don't know if it will last, though. Our giggly little Hannah is fifteen months old now, and may have her own name ideas. Whatever it is, I hope the comedy act continues.