Kirby Larson's Blog, page 79
March 6, 2011
New Blog
I just discovered Bookanistas -- you gotta love a blog whose motto is "Where books are the new black."
Check them out!
March 3, 2011
Mt. Baker Junior High
Despite a nervous exchange of emails about a power outage at Mt. Baker Junior High, the school visit gods smiled on us and turned the power on this morning. So I got to drive with the cheerful and fascinating Sylvia Tag (Reference and Instruction Librarian at Western Washington University) out the beautiful Mt. Baker Highway just past Deming where we turned in at an amazing junior high/high school complex complete with state of the art auditorium. Here I am with uber-librarian Sher Smith Ross and the audio team, Austin and Jim.
I've got the mouse at the ready!
Here is the packed house auditorium.
And here I am making, I am certain, a brilliant point.
I chatted with a few students afterward, signing books, wishing I had more time to get to know all the kids better. I love junior high kids!
Mind you, Mt. Baker School is 15 miles or so from I-5, out in the country, as we say. But very nearby the school was a charming Italian restaurant -- Il Refugio -- where Sylvia, Sher and I had a heavenly lunch. I felt as if I'd taken a trip to Italy -- and I probably could have flown there under my own power after helping Sher drink two pots of french press coffee.
To clear the caffeine from my system, I decided to go for a walk along the Boulevard Trail after Sylvia returned me to the hotel. Maybe it was the crisp day or the blue sky, but I ended up walking all the way downtown and back, which I think is 4 or 5 miles. Not far along the path is Woods Coffee -- though normally I would've stopped, I was too wired today to do so -- I saw all kinds of birds and people and simply had a marvelous time.
Don't you want to live someplace where there is a coffee shop on a walking trail?
Can you see why I kept walking?
This heron has his own boat
I wish I was a better photographer -- this was a stunning Golden Eye
All roads lead to Bellingham
I picked up my pace on the return because I didn't want to keep Sylvia waiting when she came to get me to speak to the North Sound Student Reading Council. Comprised of prospective teachers, mostly elementary, in various levels of their schooling, my time with these thoughtful and articulate young men and women gave me great hope for the future. They will be awesome teachers. Now we taxpayers need to step up to the plate to give them the financial support to make the big differences with our kids that I know they will.(I'll add photos of this event later --my camera couldn't handle the darkened room so someone's emailing me pix.) I finished the evening with a bowl of gingered carrot soup, courtesy of room service, eaten seated in the window seat overlooking the bay. Then I soothed my weary walking muscles in the soaking tub.
It's a rough job, but someone has to do it.
I've got the mouse at the ready!Here is the packed house auditorium.
And here I am making, I am certain, a brilliant point.
I chatted with a few students afterward, signing books, wishing I had more time to get to know all the kids better. I love junior high kids!
Mind you, Mt. Baker School is 15 miles or so from I-5, out in the country, as we say. But very nearby the school was a charming Italian restaurant -- Il Refugio -- where Sylvia, Sher and I had a heavenly lunch. I felt as if I'd taken a trip to Italy -- and I probably could have flown there under my own power after helping Sher drink two pots of french press coffee.
To clear the caffeine from my system, I decided to go for a walk along the Boulevard Trail after Sylvia returned me to the hotel. Maybe it was the crisp day or the blue sky, but I ended up walking all the way downtown and back, which I think is 4 or 5 miles. Not far along the path is Woods Coffee -- though normally I would've stopped, I was too wired today to do so -- I saw all kinds of birds and people and simply had a marvelous time.
Don't you want to live someplace where there is a coffee shop on a walking trail?
Can you see why I kept walking?
This heron has his own boat
I wish I was a better photographer -- this was a stunning Golden Eye
All roads lead to BellinghamI picked up my pace on the return because I didn't want to keep Sylvia waiting when she came to get me to speak to the North Sound Student Reading Council. Comprised of prospective teachers, mostly elementary, in various levels of their schooling, my time with these thoughtful and articulate young men and women gave me great hope for the future. They will be awesome teachers. Now we taxpayers need to step up to the plate to give them the financial support to make the big differences with our kids that I know they will.(I'll add photos of this event later --my camera couldn't handle the darkened room so someone's emailing me pix.) I finished the evening with a bowl of gingered carrot soup, courtesy of room service, eaten seated in the window seat overlooking the bay. Then I soothed my weary walking muscles in the soaking tub.
It's a rough job, but someone has to do it.
March 2, 2011
Wow!
Not only did the Western Washington Children's alternative Literature conference folks put me up in a lovely hotel, they welcomed me with the most thoughtful basket ever.
The window seat where I'll be reading Kate Messner's new book, Marty McGuire
View to the north
View to the south
Because I love to garden, there were gloves and seeds (for sunflowers and bok choy); blank note cards for my passion for writing scene cards; yummy food treats for me and cookies for Winston; all set off with a note card with a bird's nest on the front (a nod to my love for birds). I was astounded. Astonished. Touched.
Thank you Sylvia Tag and crew!
The window seat where I'll be reading Kate Messner's new book, Marty McGuire
View to the north
View to the southBecause I love to garden, there were gloves and seeds (for sunflowers and bok choy); blank note cards for my passion for writing scene cards; yummy food treats for me and cookies for Winston; all set off with a note card with a bird's nest on the front (a nod to my love for birds). I was astounded. Astonished. Touched.
Thank you Sylvia Tag and crew!
Off I Go!
After a haircut this morning, I'll point the old buggy north to Bellingham for the Western Washington University Children's Literature alternative Conference. I'll be roughing it at the Chrysalis Inn and Spa, making a true sacrifice for my art.
Believe it or not, there is a coffee shop along that trail snugged up to the bay
Love grand entrances
Ahhh!Hope to see you at the conference, on Western's campus, on Saturday!
Believe it or not, there is a coffee shop along that trail snugged up to the bay
Love grand entrances
Ahhh!Hope to see you at the conference, on Western's campus, on Saturday!
March 1, 2011
Another Miltenberger Birthday!
My little sister and little brother had to share birthday cakes every year growing up; his birthday was February 27 and hers March 1. Even though she was older, she never complained about sharing. That's the kind of person she is. Which is why, in grade school, the teacher felt safe sitting her next to the boy who ate everybody's crayons. Lisa never, ever complained.
In addition to being the kindest person I know, my sister is also the luckiest AND the gutsiest. Lucky in that only she could score a hundred dollar purse at Goodwill for $2.99 or find a baseball-sized chunk of jade on the beach. Gutsiest in that she once tried stand-up comedy (at least once that I know about!) and she is game for anything, including a recent Scrabble tournament. Of course, with her kind heart, she didn't challenge her 60-something-year-old opponent who spelled heaven this way: heavon.
That's my darling baby sis.
Happy Birthday, Cee-sah!
Ask us to do our dance routine to "Margie"!
In addition to being the kindest person I know, my sister is also the luckiest AND the gutsiest. Lucky in that only she could score a hundred dollar purse at Goodwill for $2.99 or find a baseball-sized chunk of jade on the beach. Gutsiest in that she once tried stand-up comedy (at least once that I know about!) and she is game for anything, including a recent Scrabble tournament. Of course, with her kind heart, she didn't challenge her 60-something-year-old opponent who spelled heaven this way: heavon.
That's my darling baby sis.
Happy Birthday, Cee-sah!
Ask us to do our dance routine to "Margie"!
February 28, 2011
Reading with Rover
This video says it all about why Winston and I are working to become a Reading with Rover team:
Thanks to King 5's Kim Holcomb for doing this story and thanks to Becky Bishop, Executive Director, Reading with Rover and Annemarie Kaighin, Director Public Relations, Reading With Rover for their continued leadership!
Thanks to King 5's Kim Holcomb for doing this story and thanks to Becky Bishop, Executive Director, Reading with Rover and Annemarie Kaighin, Director Public Relations, Reading With Rover for their continued leadership!
February 27, 2011
Happy Birthday, Baby Brother.
His Spidey senses are tinglingI was 7 when he was born and I adored him the minute Mom brought him home from the hospital. And, thanks to years of therapy, he has overcome his three older sibs trying to convince him that he was really adopted. I think he's forgiven us for the time we threw him in the snowbank in Yakima and the heating oil delivery man had to pull him out. And I know he's eternally grateful to me for teaching him to drive. He has the biggest heart of any human being I know and he doesn't even mind that I still try to boss him around.
Happy Birthday, Dennis!
February 26, 2011
I Like Skype
I love visiting schools all over the country, meeting great kids and librarians. But sometimes you just can't get in one more airplane. And that's what makes Skype visits so great! Yes, there are glitches -- mostly, I've experienced sound delays but recently there was a video delay which created a problem when I thought a young lady was asking a question and it was a young man. Thankfully, he forgave my mix-up.
One of my favorite librarians is Marjie Podzielinski, at Coulson Tough Elementary in The Woodlands, Texas. I met her at a Random House dinner years ago-- I'm thinking it was at the ALA where I was presented with my Newbery Honor. Regardless of when we met, I am so glad we did meet. She is the most positive upbeat person I've ever met. And if you looked up "spunky" in the dictionary, you'd see her photo there!
As part of a presentation she was giving on Skype visits, Marjie asked if I could chat with her kids. Of course, I said yes! Those kids kept me on my toes with their thoughtful and thought-provoking questions. Of course, their favorite part of the chat was when Winston decided to hop up on my lap and see what was going on. And he was rewarded with very loud "aws" and "oohs" as his handsome countenance came into view at Coulson Tough.
Look at these great kids!
I need to tidy up the bulletin board behind me!
Sweet Marjie asking about The Magic Kerchief, now out of print
Winston the Wonder Dog and his fans
I'm curious. Have you tried Skyping with schools? What have you found works best? Since I am taking a hiatus from travel next school year, I may be doing more of these visits and I'd like to know what you've learned about them. Please share!
One of my favorite librarians is Marjie Podzielinski, at Coulson Tough Elementary in The Woodlands, Texas. I met her at a Random House dinner years ago-- I'm thinking it was at the ALA where I was presented with my Newbery Honor. Regardless of when we met, I am so glad we did meet. She is the most positive upbeat person I've ever met. And if you looked up "spunky" in the dictionary, you'd see her photo there!
As part of a presentation she was giving on Skype visits, Marjie asked if I could chat with her kids. Of course, I said yes! Those kids kept me on my toes with their thoughtful and thought-provoking questions. Of course, their favorite part of the chat was when Winston decided to hop up on my lap and see what was going on. And he was rewarded with very loud "aws" and "oohs" as his handsome countenance came into view at Coulson Tough.
Look at these great kids!
I need to tidy up the bulletin board behind me!
Sweet Marjie asking about The Magic Kerchief, now out of print
Winston the Wonder Dog and his fansI'm curious. Have you tried Skyping with schools? What have you found works best? Since I am taking a hiatus from travel next school year, I may be doing more of these visits and I'd like to know what you've learned about them. Please share!
February 25, 2011
Thank you, Lisa Schroeder
It is hard work launching a book so I am very appreciative of good folks like Lisa Schroeder who so willingly share promotional tips that have worked for them. Check out Lisa's incredibly detailed yet concise list of tips here.
And don't forget to check out her books, as well!
The incomparable Ms. Schroeder, thinking about her next book launch!
And don't forget to check out her books, as well!
The incomparable Ms. Schroeder, thinking about her next book launch!
February 24, 2011
Kids!
I recently received this thank you letter from a student whose school I Skyped with as part of the Lacey Loves to Read program:
Dear Mrs. Larson,
Thank you for having the Skype chat with us. My favorite part was talking to a great author. My favorite part about Hattie Big Sky was when the book ended.
I am definitely taking this as a compliment.
Dear Mrs. Larson,
Thank you for having the Skype chat with us. My favorite part was talking to a great author. My favorite part about Hattie Big Sky was when the book ended.
I am definitely taking this as a compliment.
