Texas was wonderful! I’ll share a bit more about the Texas Library Association conference and my trip later on, once I have time to breathe. Saturday night was the awards ceremony for the Minnesota Book Awards. Stampede didn’t win, but I was so honored just to have it named as a Finalist. I always kinda thought it was crap when actors say that, but it’s totally true. When you’re grouped with writers like Joyce Sidman (whose Red Sings from Treetops won the Children’s Literature category), Alison McGhee, and Marion Dane Bauer–wow. Thank you for everyone who sent good wishes, voted for Stampede in the Readers’ Choice category (didn’t win that, either, but thank you!), and graciously put up with my announcements, etc.
And now this morning, I drive several hours to southwestern Minnesota for a full week of school visits–sometimes two in one day! Then I’ll be done traveling for a little while. Whew!
Meanwhile…
| As a Minnesotan, I already find lots to love in the stark beauty of a frozen world. Polar Bear, Arctic Hare: Poems of the Frozen North (Wordsong, 2007), by Eileen Spinelli and illustrated by Eugenie Fernandes, celebrates the animals and landscapes of a place even farther north than I am! Here’s one poem I love:
Shadow
On silent wings –Eileen Spinelli, all rights reserved |
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