Grace Lin's Blog, page 120
November 10, 2010
Grand Opening
All the stores are have begun their holiday madness and I've caught some of it! Because I've opened an etsy shop. Yes, my brand-new etsy shop, The Grace Lin Gallery is now open!I received so much interest when I posted about my booth at the RISD Sale that I thought I would offer my prints online as well. The Grace Lin Gallery will consist of affordable, non-archival prints of illustrations from my books and other work. Please go and take a look!
The Child at Heart Gallery will continue to sell archival, museum-quality and collector prints at their site.
And my cafe press store will continue to sell T-shirts, baby bibs and other apparel! Officially, it is called The Grace Lin Store to differentiate from the etsy shop, The Grace Lin Gallery.My books are, of course, available at any bookstore. However, if you would like a personalized, autographed copy, call up the Porter Square Book Store and they can arrange it! 617-491-2220
So enough Grace Lin products to last a long, long time, I'd think! I hope it isn't overkill. But I figured if the local pharmacy can start selling Christmas ornaments before Halloween, then why not a little extra etsy shop? Right?
I hope this helps for your holiday shopping!
November 9, 2010
book talk tuesday
THE HUNDRED DRESSES by Eleanor EstesIndieBound Description: Never out of print since its 1944 publication, this tender story offers readers of all ages a timeless message of compassion and understanding. At its heart is Wanda Petronski, an immigrant girl in an American school, who is ridiculed for wearing the same faded blue dress every day. When she tells her classmates that she has one hundred dresses at home, she unwittingly triggers a game of teasing that eventually ends in a lesson for all.
In restoring the reproduction of Louis Slobodkin's artwork, this new edition recaptures the original vivid color. And to celebrate the book's enhanced beauty, Helena Estes, the daughter of the author, has written a new letter to readers about the true story behind The Hundred Dresses.
My Thoughts: Another classic! This is a lovely book and very powerful in a subtle, beautiful way. This is actually a story about regret and forgiveness, written in a way that a child can understand and relate to.
November 8, 2010
on my desk monday
I bought the new Mac Air, I couldn't resist! My old laptop was causing me shoulder strain during my travels, this is going to be a lovely lightweight luxury.
November 6, 2010
*For US residents Only
*For US residents Only
November 5, 2010
fortune cookie friday
"Do not anxiously hope for that which is not yet come; do not vainly regret what is already past."
-Chinese Proverb
November 4, 2010
She Took Trouble
Right now, I am in the midst of the latest revision for my new novel "Dumpling Days." Not only has my schedule gotten rather full, recently this novel has filled me with anxiety. When I met the lovely Karen Hesse at the Literary Lights event, she asked me, "How are you doing?" in a concerned way and talked to me briefly about how winning an award changes things. At the time, I thought she meant speaking engagements and school visits and I breezily told her things were fine. Things were busy, but not in a way that was extremely unusual or unmanageable. Just an extra stir in soup, so to speak.
But now, I realize she meant the actual writing. I hadn't thought too much about it, but slowly as each revision goes by I've become more aware of my personal phantom hanging over me. "Dumpling Days" is a continuation of Pacy's story from The Year of the Dog and The Year of the Rat, and, like those books, it is highly autobiographical (this one is about my first trip to Taiwan as a child) and light-hearted.
And in the shadow of the Newbery Honor I start to worry--maybe this book is too light, not ambitious enough, not "Literary" with the capital 'L.' But as I begin to let myself get paralyzed, I see that the award only amplified worries and thoughts I've had my whole career. The only difference is my shielding mantra of "Just do the best you can!" has run a bit thin.
So, it was with great comfort that I recently discovered (okay, I know I am really, really late to the party) Just One More Book's podcast of Eva Ibbotson. In her interview she talked about how she knows books about things like escaping the Nazis and suicide are important but she was not the one to write them. She considered her books as personal gifts to her readers and would always work and work to give them what she felt they deserved. In fact, she said she wanted her tombstone to read, "She Took Trouble."
Listening to her was extremely heartening and inspiring to me. It was the right message at the right time. It helped shake away my doubts and transformed the begrudging revisions into acts of love. With any luck, "Dumpling Days" will be a book I will hold proudly and give to my readers with the same warmth as she did.
I'm ashamed to say that I've never read any of Ms. Ibbotson's work--something I intend to remedy immediately! I've already purchased Which Witch? from my local bookstore, but I wasn't sure if that was the best one to start with. Any suggestions?
But now, I realize she meant the actual writing. I hadn't thought too much about it, but slowly as each revision goes by I've become more aware of my personal phantom hanging over me. "Dumpling Days" is a continuation of Pacy's story from The Year of the Dog and The Year of the Rat, and, like those books, it is highly autobiographical (this one is about my first trip to Taiwan as a child) and light-hearted.
And in the shadow of the Newbery Honor I start to worry--maybe this book is too light, not ambitious enough, not "Literary" with the capital 'L.' But as I begin to let myself get paralyzed, I see that the award only amplified worries and thoughts I've had my whole career. The only difference is my shielding mantra of "Just do the best you can!" has run a bit thin.
So, it was with great comfort that I recently discovered (okay, I know I am really, really late to the party) Just One More Book's podcast of Eva Ibbotson. In her interview she talked about how she knows books about things like escaping the Nazis and suicide are important but she was not the one to write them. She considered her books as personal gifts to her readers and would always work and work to give them what she felt they deserved. In fact, she said she wanted her tombstone to read, "She Took Trouble."
Listening to her was extremely heartening and inspiring to me. It was the right message at the right time. It helped shake away my doubts and transformed the begrudging revisions into acts of love. With any luck, "Dumpling Days" will be a book I will hold proudly and give to my readers with the same warmth as she did. I'm ashamed to say that I've never read any of Ms. Ibbotson's work--something I intend to remedy immediately! I've already purchased Which Witch? from my local bookstore, but I wasn't sure if that was the best one to start with. Any suggestions?
November 3, 2010
late pumpkin post
It's been so crazy-busy here in chez Grace that our annual pumpkin carving party was delayed until Saturday--the day before Halloween! At least we got them in before the holiday!
(and the pumpkins were cheaper because it was the last day!)
But it was great to get all the local gang together for a messy pumpkin gutting and cutting!
Including Baby M, who painted her pumpkin:
and chose the book The Problem with Chickens as inspiration for her mother's pumpkin:
as well as this intricate duck decoration from a Chinese clip art book for me:
(I tried to talk her out of it but she kept insisting on this design)
and if I remember correctly, Baby M also requested a sea otter but got a jellyfish pumpkin instead:
But, in the end, she seemed to like all of them.
Hope you had a fun Halloween!
(and the pumpkins were cheaper because it was the last day!)But it was great to get all the local gang together for a messy pumpkin gutting and cutting!
Including Baby M, who painted her pumpkin:
and chose the book The Problem with Chickens as inspiration for her mother's pumpkin:
as well as this intricate duck decoration from a Chinese clip art book for me:
(I tried to talk her out of it but she kept insisting on this design)and if I remember correctly, Baby M also requested a sea otter but got a jellyfish pumpkin instead:
But, in the end, she seemed to like all of them.
Hope you had a fun Halloween!
November 2, 2010
book talk tuesday
THE WITCH OF BLACKBIRD POND, by Elizabeth George SpeareIndieBound Description: Orphaned Kit Tyler knows, as she gazes for the first time at the cold, bleak shores of Connecticut Colony, that her new home will never be like the shimmering Caribbean island she left behind. In her relatives' stern Puritan community, she feels like a tropical bird that has flown to the wrong part of the world, a bird that is now caged and lonely. The only place where Kit feels completely free is in the meadows, where she enjoys the company of the old Quaker woman known as the Witch of Blackbird Pond, and on occasion, her young sailor friend Nat. But when Kit's friendship with the "witch" is discovered, Kit is faced with suspicion, fear, and anger. She herself is accused of witchcraft!
My Thoughts: We read this book in elementary school as assigned reading and I remember being surprised how much I liked it! The story has stayed with me all these years, I even remember the descriptions of Kit's smooth, silk dresses. What I don't remember is the cover of the book, which I know was nothing like the one here. I have a mixed feelings about this cover. It's eyecatching and I can see how it would attract a modern reader, but I feel like Kit looks like a contemporary teenager in a costume. I think it's that small smirk on her face, she seems a bit too self-aware.
November 1, 2010
on my desk monday
We didn't get any trick-or-treaters last night...that means the candy is all for me!
October 29, 2010
fortune cookie friday
"A wise man knows everything.
A shrewd one, everybody.""
-Chinese Proverb
