Maribeth Boelts's Blog, page 6

New Art

Just ordered this print from the illustrator of our new picture book, "Happy Like Soccer". I am now happy like new-art-on-my-wall.


http://www.etsy.com/shop/LaurenCastillo

Author Shout-Out

I've recently discovered the work of Sherman Alexie, having read "The Diary of a Part-Time Indian" (young adult fiction), and "The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven" (young adult short stories--how awesome is that title??). I've watched his interviews on Stephen Colbert, and have the movie "Smoke Signals", which he wrote, ordered on Netflix. He's a fascinating writer who grew up on an indian reservation in Spokane, Washington. His work seems very much reflective of all he saw, hear...

file:///Users/maribethboelts/Desktop/...

file:///Users/maribethboelts/Desktop/Sherman%20Alexie.webloc

Quote

"Man is a shaper, a maker... he repeats his vision in a song, a picture, a stone jar, and by this art makes our lives memorable and provides a stay against confusion."

James Hearst, Poet

Summer in Two Snapshots

It is August, and as I write the locusts buzz. It's a sound that's always made me feel sad around the edges as it hints, no announces in a really persistent, annoying way that frost is not far off. Six weeks, according to the locusts. But looking back through scads of photos from the summer and taking stock of what has transpired, I'm so very thankful for both the big moments and little moments that have taken place inside and outside our family. A highlight was watching our son slip a ri...

Pondering

"Souls are like athletes, that need opponents worthy of them, if they are to be tried and extended and pushed to the full use of their powers, and rewarded according to their capacity."

Thomas Merton

New Writing Partner

We are dog-sitting our friends' dog, Miles, for the next 10 days. Miles decided he'd like to sit on my lap while I write today. I'm hoping he gives me some help on the latest projects in exchange for a good place to sit.

Eloise Wilkin

I have always loved Eloise Wilkin's illustrations for Golden Books. I enjoyed a little respite today looking through her books and remembering many of them, both from my own childhood and when our kids were little. They're so very sweet, and while their realistic preciousness may not appeal to everyone, they hold a unique place in children's literature.

Here's a brief bio of Eloise Wilkin...

Eloise Wilkin was born Eloise Burns on March 30, 1904 in Rochester, New York. Her career...

Write What You Know

"If you take it in its deepest meaning, 'write about what you know' means write from your heart, from your own real being, your own thoughts and emotions…If you don't know who you are and what you know, if you haven't worked to find out what you yourself truly feel and think, then your work will probably be imitation work, borrowed from other writers."

Ursula K. Le Guin


The photo has nothing to do with the quote but this month we're heading out on a big family vacation, big kids, spouses a...

Book Recommendation

Worked 12 straight hours on a new book yesterday then thought about it all night after waaaaaay too much caffeine. As a reward I'm purchasing this book (makes sense, doesn't it?), which is quite possibly the most marvelous early reader/chapter book I've read in years. Whether you're a 5-8 year old girl who is in love with horses, or you're a children's book writer who has wanted-a-horse-her-whole-life-but-has-had-to-settle-for-other-pets-which-are-wonderful-too-but-not-the-same, you will l...