Charlotte Zolotow excitement!

Congrats to SPARKY!

Congratulations to Jenny Offill, author of SPARKY,? for winning the Charlotte Zolotow award for outstanding writing in a picture book! I’ve read and done a poetryaction for SPARKY (the funny story of a quite unusual pet!), but it hasn’t posted yet. The award committee also chose 5 Honor books and 9 Highly Commended titles, and I’m super-thrilled and honored that WATER CAN BE… is on the Highly Commended list!? It’s a list full of books and authors I admire, so I am so happy to be included. You can read the press release and see all books here.?

And, well, this is kind of embarrassing, but that doesn’t generally stop me from sharing, so here goes. I recently started a morning routine that includes meditation, affirmation, and visualization, among other things–just for a few minutes each. For visualizing, I’ve been rotating through various things that would be, to me, real milestones in my writing career. And one of the things I have visualized several times was accepting the Charlotte Zolotow or the Boston Globe — Horn Book award. Fantastic picture book awards. So, just making the Highly Commended list was a huge boost for me!

26 Responses

    1. Thanks, Linda–well, you know how it can be embarrassing to even admit that you might dream that big? Like, “Who does she think she is?” Thanks for the kind words!

    1. Thanks, Linda–well, you know how it can be embarrassing to even admit that you might dream that big? Like, “Who does she think she is?” Thanks for the kind words!

  1. I’m so happy for you, Laura! The Zolotow commendation, the recent Lee Bennett Hopkins release, the beautiful copy of A Rock Can Be that I previewed? three vibrant, new feathers in your cap, and they look stunning on you! I, too, have been embarking on trying to establish a a mindfulness and visualization routine. Pleased to see yours is working. 🙂

    1. Thanks, Michelle:>) I’ve always been more of an act-er than a visualize‑r or affirm-er, but I’m really trying to give it a chance! The meditation part I already know works–if I could just quiet my mind. I lose focus way too easily and start mentally adding more stuff to my day’s to-do list :>(

  2. I’m so happy for you, Laura! The Zolotow commendation, the recent Lee Bennett Hopkins release, the beautiful copy of A Rock Can Be that I previewed? three vibrant, new feathers in your cap, and they look stunning on you! I, too, have been embarking on trying to establish a a mindfulness and visualization routine. Pleased to see yours is working. 🙂

    1. Thanks, Michelle:>) I’ve always been more of an act-er than a visualize‑r or affirm-er, but I’m really trying to give it a chance! The meditation part I already know works–if I could just quiet my mind. I lose focus way too easily and start mentally adding more stuff to my day’s to-do list :>(

  3. Congrats! So proud of you. I admit I’ve done the affirmations and visualizations for years and have found them super helpful. I need to get back to the mediation. SALAS POWER!

    1. Thanks :>) I’ve never really done them in any kind of organized, purposeful way. I find them really, really difficult! Monkey mind.

  4. Congrats! So proud of you. I admit I’ve done the affirmations and visualizations for years and have found them super helpful. I need to get back to the mediation. SALAS POWER!

    1. Thanks :>) I’ve never really done them in any kind of organized, purposeful way. I find them really, really difficult! Monkey mind.

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