Lorie Ann Grover's Blog, page 2

Celebrations: Bank Street College Board Book Award

It's official! Bank Street College of Education has decided to begin acknowledging and awarding board books! My editor just zipped me the press release as she and I talked about this need in 2010. The award will be named: the Margaret Wise Brown Board Book Award for excellence in literature for very young children. Wonderful!

Here is a press release excerpt: 

The first prize will be awarded in the spring of 2023 for board books published or picture books adapted to board book format in 2021 and 2022. The award will be given every two years to a board book for infants and toddlers (ages 0-3).
“Criteria for selection will include books that promote interplay and engagement, incorporate rich
language, demonstrate a consideration for childhood development, and are constructed to withstand multiple encounters with little hands,” said Dr. Cynthia Weill, Director, Center for Children’s Literature, Bank Street College of Education.

Joan Holub and I, both board book author/illustrators, have been calling for a recognition of the board book format since 2009. Our aim at the readertotz blog has always been to raise the profile of board books for our first readers. We make a call to authors, illustrators, and publishers to create the best possible works as they introduce reading to our youngest ones. 

We have envisioned the American Library Association creating the Dorothy Kunhardt Award for the Outstanding Board or Novelty Book. Click here to see our facebook page. We would love to see Dorothy named as the creator of the beloved, first novelty book still in print: Pat the Bunny. 

Joan and I are thrilled Bank Street College is lifting this important format for all to see! Here's to future award recipients, the wee ones who will hold the works, and Bank Street College for their efforts. Bravo! 

New Beginnings

It feels like a new beginning as we emerge together. I'm ready for new experiences and new opportunities. Here's a new author photo to kick things off. Enjoy your own re-entry into society. May there be beauty all around! 

2021

Oxervate: side effects after two weeks

Sharing this in case others might be thinking of this treatment for neurotrophic keratitis. 
So, I'm two weeks into the Oxervate treatment. I'm using only one eye to type this update. My second shipment of medicine was just delivered in dry ice. 
Week One: The first week was painful. It's not a word that was ever used by the makers, pharmacist, or doctor. So there's that. It felt like a horse kicked me in the face. The sensation was in my sinuses, throat, nose, jaw, and eyes. Over-the-counter pain meds didn't have a strong impact. Hot and cold packs, saline drops, goggles, and waiting it out were my solutions. I was told the pain was from the nerves growing back. 
Week Two: The pain broke on day 8. Now it only feels like there are sticks in my eyes. I find I can do some work before 2 pm, alternating using one eye and then the other. As the hours progress in the day, the only solution is to close my eyes...and wait it out. I'm listening to audio books and podcasts. Occasionally, the intense pain returns, but it seems to ease after 24 hours. 
This is all quite different than what I expected. I've adjusted productivity hopes for these two months. And that relieves pressure. It helps to know if a second round for two months is needed, it won't be back-to-back with this one. Shew. There isn't enough info gathered by the manufacturers to know if lupus and Sjogren's are making the treatment more difficult for me. 
Onto week three, thankful for this drug and what it might do for my eyes. And maybe side effects will lessen soon? 

 

Lupus, Sjogren's: Neurotrophic Keratitis and Oxervate

I haven't updated any information concerning my autoimmune diseases during the pandemic. Suddenly, the world was isolating, as well, and vigilance was needed for my weakened immune system. The main lupus drug was touted by some and tested repeatedly for efficacy against the coronavirus. The extensive purchases by governments blocked deliveries for lupus patients. Shipments were finally restored when hydroxychloroquine proved ineffective for Covid19. 

So, here we are again, as vaccinations extend, we are beginning to emerge. Folks with lupus and other diseases and conditions will continue to isolate as needed, but how wonderful to have the possibility of re-entering the stream on healthy days. Preferably cloudy ones. :)

I'm really posting today to say I'm going to begin Oxervate tomorrow. This FDA-approved treatment for neurotrophic keratitis will be for both eyes. Lupus and Sjogren's have killed the nerves in my cornea, which could lead to blindness and the need for a corneal transplant. I had no sensation when the doctor pulled a string across my open eye. Right now, I have light sensitivity and extreme dryness.

Oxervate is a cenegermin, a form of human nerve growth factor developed in a lab. Potentially, the nerves in my cornea will grow, work, and survive. 7 out of 10 patients are completely healed. 

It has taken 5 months to qualify and about 5 agencies working together to make this happen. The cost is enormous, but extensive coverage is provided, bringing my cost down to $100 for 8 weeks. Compared to what I can gather would be about $250,000 without insurance and assistance. 

 

I'll post again after a bit to share side-effects for the curious and others considering the treatment. Right now, I'm waiting for delivery which will arrive in dry ice. I'll be doing drops every 2 hours, 6 times a day, for 8 weeks. More soon! 

Nest

Lorie Ann Grover
 As we wait for vaccines, as we wait to be together, may our nesting nurture. 

Happy Holidays!

 

Satirical Open Board Book: WHAT HURTS EVERYONE

So, I've written and illustrated this satirical open board book for myself, reaching to document the hurt. This is my work and observation apart from publishing houses. 

If you do have a young person asking why, what, or how, maybe this piece will help your discussions. Or maybe like me, you'll find a measure of solace through this imagery. Solace in the: yes, this hurts everyone. What will we do? If you are able, you might volunteer, or contribute to the DNC, or support your local candidates running for change. 

With the election days away, feel free to share this board book, near and far. And then VOTE! 

Author/Illustrator Lorie Ann GroverSatirical Open Board BookWhat Hurts Everyone 2020

Happy Book Birthday: I Say a Little Prayer for You at Bedtime

 

And she's born today! I'm so happy to share this lullaby of peace with our first readers. I hope I Say a Little Prayer for You at Bedtime calms spirits and comforts as each settles down to sleep. 

I actually wrote the work in the middle of the night, and it was during our collective mourning following the passing of the great Aretha Franklin. I will always hear her sing the title of this work, set by my delightful editor, Celia Lee. 

Olivia Chin Mueller's soft illustrations of falling night create a perfect tone for the text. Her detailed strokes sweep across the imagery. 

"Little ones curl up and rest, bless each home and tiny nest." 

Whether you are curling up to sleep or "still zooming 'round," may this work find you and yours full of peace. 

(The bear in the photo I received from my father on the day I was born. She's about to turn 56!)

I Say a Little Prayer for You at Bedtimeby Lorie Ann Groverillustrated by Olivia Chin MuellerIndieboundAmazonBarnes & NobleScholastic, Little Shepherd, September 1, 2020

Pre-sale: I Say a Little Prayer for You at Bedtime

I'm so happy to announce my next upcoming board book with Olivia Chin Mueller! Pre-sale orders are available for I Say a Little Prayer for You at Bedtime. I hope this comforting lullaby offers peace to your wee ones in this difficult time. 
One note: you might see a former cover still appearing on bookseller sites. No worries. The interior is the same, and the bears will make their way to your home. Thanks so much for your support! 

I Say a Little Prayer for You at Bedtimeby Lorie Ann Groverillustrated by Olivia Chin MuellerIndieboundAmazonBarnes & NobleScholastic, Little Shepherd, September 1, 2020

Open Board Book: Covid 19, Color Sketches

Yay! I finished the color sketches. I hope you enjoy this work with your first readers. Feel free to share. If you have the means and heart to donate, you might give to Save the Children. Thanks! 
Safety and health to you. Much love! xox Lorie Ann