Grace Lin's Blog, page 84

Sunday Chinese School

After a brief vacation, Sunday Chinese School back in session! Welcome! Here, we learn a Chinese word (or phrase) a week with my mom!Today's word is:
Valentine's Day
qíngrén jié
情人节

Pocket Pacy sightings!

The Special EditionPocket Pacys that I gave away at my Dumpling Days Book Launch are starting to pop up! These photos were accompanied by a lovely article published in the Back Bay & Somerville Patch! The article made me blush and I loved these photos!

fortune cookie friday

"An old man in love is like a flower in winter. "
-Chinese Proverb

drawing dragons

I've been alternating my furious work on STARRY RIVER with school visits. One of my favorite things  to do at my visits is the "draw-a-long," where I teach the students how to draw either a dog (from Year of the Dog) or a Chinese New Year decoration. It's always a lot of fun  and these past years, I've gotten good at showing students how to draw tigers and rabbits. However, with this year being the Year of the Dragon I was a little worried that a dragon drawing might be a bit much.

But it's been working out great! Don't these look like lucky dragons?




 Well, I feel lucky!

booktalk tuesday

Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe by CS Lewis

IndieBound Description:

A Celebration of the First Edition!

They open a door and enter a world. NARNIA ... the land beyond the wardrobe, the secret country known only to Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy ... the place where the adventure begins. Lucy is the first to find the secret of the wardrobe in the Professor's mysterious old house. At first, no one believes her when she tells of her adventures in the land of Narnia. But soon Edmund and then Peter and Susan discover the magic and meet Aslan, the Great Lion, for themselves. In the blink of an eye, their lives are changed forever. Enter this enchanted world countless times in The Chronicles of Narnia.

My Thoughts:
This is my favorite of the Narnia books (some of the latter ones bothered me because of how the unlikeable people of Calormen were of a veiled Asian culture, and don't even get me started on "The Last Battle!"). But this one is charming without any reservations.[image error]

on my desk monday

And it's the finished manuscript of STARRY RIVER OF THE SKY!!! Eeks! It's almost a book!

I am racing to finish the art for it. The release date of Oct. 2012 has been set in stone for a while (even though Dumpling Days just came out, that book was finished a while ago--they held back the release of Dumpling Days for Chinese New Year) and I have to hurry now to finish STARRY RIVER.  But even though the deadline is getting very close, I still refuse to let this book be less than my best. Unfortunately, this means everything else is getting neglected until I reach the end. sigh. Thank goodness for understanding Sasquatches!

fortune cookie friday

"Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions. "
–Dalai Lama

Thanks again, Fourth Graders!

As I mentioned on Monday, I've been visiting the Bates School for many years now. I visit the Fourth Graders in the spring with my "Behind the Year of the Dog" presentation. They usually know Year of the Dog very well as they read, pick sections and create great storyboards of it. Year after year, I am always so impressed!

Here are some from this year:






Talented bunch, huh? I hope I am lucky enough to see a new batch next year!

booktalk tuesday

Zen Shorts, by Jon J. Muth

IndieBound Description:

Jon J Muth, author of the best-selling book, THE THREE QUESTIONS, has crafted another profound and winning picture book.

"Michael," said Karl. "There's a really big bear in the backyard." This is how three children meet Stillwater, a giant panda who moves into the neighborhood and tells amazing tales. To Addy he tells a story about the value of material goods. To Michael he pushes the boundaries of good and bad. And to Karl he demonstrates what it means to hold on to frustration. With graceful art and simple stories that are filled with love and enlightenment, Jon Muth -- and Stillwater the bear -- present three ancient Zen tales that are sure to strike a chord in everyone they touch.

My Thoughts: This is not a middle-grade novel, it's technically a picturebook--but I think it is so appropriate for a middle grade audience. The Zen stories in this book (which also inspire my own writing) are perfect for the older child to think, ponder and discuss.

on my desk monday

I've been fortunate to be visiting the Bates School in Wellesley, Ma for many years now. I usually visit the Kindergartners in the Fall and the 4th graders in the Spring and it's been lovely.

Recently, I just saw the 4th graders (I'll post some of their storyboards, later) and it was especially nice. Because this time, clued in by my visit the the Kindergarten, they knew all about Rain Dragon and made me a special gift:

Yes, an advice book on being a good mom!
The advice in this book is poignant and hilarious at the same time. Here are some of my favorites:

Make sure you don't lose the baby when you go shopping in the mall.
Don't be like my parents. Don't drop the baby on it's head.
Always keep an eye on the baby because I know from my own experience. When I was 2 years old my mom left me alone in her bed with some markers and I colored all over the walls (that were white).
All the crying will go away...maybe. So buy some earplugs and a pacifier.

Ha ha! Aren't those great! I'll treasure this book forever!

Thanks so much, fourth graders!