A NEW YORK CHRISTMAS

Who would have thought we'd have to return home to find snow?

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

From our home to yours!

Best wishes,

Kimberly, Jerry, Shannon,
and Bronte

THE NAPPING HOUSE

The sneaky photographer!

PIPER REED NAVY BRAT BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE

When I first thought about going on a blog tour, I was concerned that I'd be asked the same questions at each stop. Instead each blogger wanted to know different things about the story. Some asked about base life. Others wanted to know about my decision to give Piper a learning disability. A few inquired about my writing process.

The interviewers varied as well. One mom joined up with her son to ask questions, while one blogger invited her readers to do the interview. This has been a fun experience for me. I hope you enjoy the journey, too.

Here's the schedule as it stands today. Some additions might happen along the way. If they do, I'll keep you posted.

Monday, December 17

A Texan Abroad

http://atexanabroad.blogspot.com/


Tuesday, December 18

Kim Stagliano

www.kimstagliano.blogspot.com

The Karianna Spectrum

www.karianna.us/blog/archives/2007/12/interview_with_kimberly_willis_1.html


Wednesday, December 19

Cynsations

http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com

Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast

http://blaine.org/sevenimpossiblethings/

Viva La Feminista

vivalafeminista.blogspot.com

All 4 My Gals

http://all4gals.blogspot.com


Thursday, December 20

Scribbly Katia

http://katianovetsaintlot.blogpot.com

Offsprung

www.offsprung.com

Xialinmama

www.xiaolinmama.com

THE CRUSH STARTED HERE

with him.

FOUR MORE DAYS

until the Piper Reed Navy Brat Blog Tour begins. The schedule goes up in the next couple of days. Check back soon!

DECEMBER GIVEAWAY

To have a chance at winning a signed hardback copy of When Zachary Beaver Came to Town, email your name and snail mail address to kwhevents@suddenlink.net. Write CONTEST in the subject line. The deadline is 5:00 pm, Thursday, December 13th. Three names will be drawn as the winners. Good luck!

REREADING BOOKS

When I was about ten or eleven, I discovered Little Women at the library. I reread it so many times that my dad said, "You know, there are other books."

But back then that was the only book I wanted to read. After my dad's comment, imagine my surprise, a few years later, to find a copy of this beloved story waiting for me under the Christmas tree.

When I visit schools, I ask kids if they ever reread books. Many tell me they do. I believe we find comfort in returning to a favorite. We know what to expect and the story gives us what we need at that time. Often we find the unexpected too--something on the pages we'd missed on a previous read. This holiday season, I wish for you a happy reunion with an old favorite.



**December Giveaway** details coming soon. Stay turned!

I CAN'T HELP BUT SMILE

at the Gigglens reader Helen McClure made for me. One is of Bronte reading her er...um...favorite book. The other is of me with my writing companion, trying to find the right word.

IN TEN MORE DAYS

In ten more days, the Piper Reed Navy Brat Blog Tour begins. More details coming soon.

I HAVE A CRUSH

on snowmen!

GOOD NEWS FOR PIPER!

Piper Reed Navy Brat is a 2008/2009 nominee for New Mexico's Land of Enchantment Children's Book Award. Thanks, New Mexico, for giving Piper this honor!

THANKS!

What's it like to have live classical music played at a signing? I found out yesterday when I had a signing at the Amarillo Barnes and Noble Store. The Amarillo High School Symphony was marvelous and added a festive touch to the day.
Of course, they weren't there for me, but I can pretend, can't I?

I appreciate everyone that attended, but I especially was touched by the folks who drove 90 minutes to get to the event. Talk about making me feel special.

I also owe a big ongoing thanks to Community Relations Manager Jim Gleason and his co-workers. They always make me feel welcome and are so good to keep each of my books in stock all year long. Thanks for all your hard work! The picture above is with Jim and assistant manager(and friend and neighbor)Norma Smith.

NOVEMBER GIVEAWAY

November's Giveaway is a signed hardback copy of My Louisiana Sky. There will be three winners. The rules have changed a bit. So that late-risers can have as fair a chance to win as early morning people, this month's giveaway will be a drawing. To enter email your name and snail mail address to kwhevents@suddenlink.net. You can enter until Friday, November 30th at noon. Good luck!

HEY TEXAS PANHANDLE!

I have a book signing this Saturday for Piper Reed Navy Brat. My other books will be available there too. Here's the scoop:

Saturday, December 1
1 PM
Barnes and Noble
Amarillo, TX

Hope to see you there!



***November Book Give-Away Details coming on Thursday!***

INTERVIEW

Today the Through the Tollbooth blog posted an interview with me. Susan Sullivan, the interviewer, is the author of the picture books, Dear Baby and Rootbeer and Banana. She is one of nine authors who blog together, mostly about the writing process. If you would like to read the interview, here's the link:

http://community.livejournal.com/thru_the_booth/

MERRY CHRISTMAS MERRY CROW

I don't know about you, but when I think of Christmas, crows do not come to mind. That's one reason I love Kathie Appelt's beautiful picture book, Merry Christmas Merry Crow. Her book reminds me, once again, how writers notice the things that others don't. Jon Goodell's soft illustrations are a perfect compliment to Kathi's words.

Today Kathi shares her inspiration for the story and a bit about her process of writing with rhyme. Here's what she had to say:

I've always been one of those people who love the ways that towns and cities get all dressed up for the holidays. When I was growing up in Houston, my grandmother used to take my sisters and me downtown to see the lights and especially to see how the large department stores decorated their windows. Foleys and Joskes always had the best displays. But the streets themselves were wonderful too, with the lampposts wrapped in ribbon and giant candy canes hanging from the street signs.

Several years ago, my husband Ken and I took a trip to New York City right after Thanksgiving, and it was just like going to Santa's Wonderland. We saw the enormous tree in Rockefeller Center, we saw the window at Macy's, and it seemed as if every building was wrapped up like a package.

There's just something so magical about the whole thing. So, one day I was sitting in my living room admiring our freshly decorated Christmas tree. There was paper and ribbon all over the floor from a recent flurry of wrapping. In short, the trappings of Christmas were all around me. I cleaned it all up and went to my desk.

Later that day, I happened to look out of my studio window and saw a crow in the large oak tree. It was clear she was building a nest. I just sat back and watched her as she flew back and forth. On one trip home, she had a scrap of paper in her beak, which she wove into her nest. It was shiny, possibly a gum wrapper, or a piece of tin foil. I wondered if she was decorating her new home. Surely, she didn't need that piece of shiny paper.

As I watched her, it occurred to me that an enterprising crow could decorate his own holiday tree if the circumstances were right, if there was a sturdy evergreen, say, with its branches blanketed in snow.

I got out my pen and starting drafting. In those early drafts, I imagined that there was a girl living in a rather bleak apartment building, facing a rather bleak Christmas. But just outside her window, there was a tree, and as she watched, the crow began to bring objects and placed them on the tree, until at last the tree was decorated. It was his gift to the little bereft girl. Does this sound familiar? A girl looking out the window as the crow brings objects back to the tree? When I realized what I had done, I decided to take myself out of the story and turn it over to the enterprising crow. Besides, I didn't think we needed another Little Match Girl type of story. Andersen did the first one just fine, thank you very much.

When I wrote this story several years ago, I was doing a lot of rhyming. I rather love rhyme. At one time in my early writing career I actually wanted to be a songwriter. I grew up with a father who loved to read rhyming poetry to me--Kipling, Poe, Longfellow, the great rhymesters of yore. But besides that, I also wanted this story to feel somewhat like a song. To me Christmas is always about music. As soon as Thanksgiving is done, I get out all of our Christmas c.d.'s and play them pretty much continuously until New Years. So, the rhyme seemed appropriate for the season and the book too.

Almost as soon as I saw the art for Alley Cat's Meow by Jon Goodell, I knew that he would do a great job with the art for Crow. It's hard to believe that he managed to make that crow look so charming. Crows aren't known for their cuteness, but I think Jon did a terrific job of making this happen.

On both of those books, working with Jon was a true pleasure. I don't usually get to interact much with the artists of my picture books, but in both of these instances, Jon took the liberty of actually calling me whenever he had a question or needed clarification. I changed the text a couple of times to accommodate his art, but when I did, the changes made the book much stronger.

It's not at all unusual for an author to change the text of a picture book in order to accommodate the art, and in my experience it's usually for the better. I've only had one or two instances when I felt that the change wasn't appropriate or that it was such an important change that it actually set the book off course. That's rare.

All in all, I love my crow book. I see it as a tour of a town all dressed up for Christmas, as well as a tip of the hat to ingenuity and creativity.

At the end of the day, I think that most authors are like that crow, looking for and finding shiny objects, bringing them back to our nests, and then weaving them into something special, a story, a song, a play, something to return to time and again.

Two more holiday books to enjoy!

KARLA HARRY

Last week I visited the Gordon School in Providence, Rhode Island. I was there on behalf of the first event supported by the Karla Harry Visiting Author Fund. From the moment I stepped on the campus, I knew Gordon was a special place, and I was deeply touched to be asked to visit in Karla's honor.

After spending the day there, I can tell you one thing for sure. Karla Harry mattered. Her co-workers spoke warmly of her and told me stories of her tireless vision and love for the students there. She was the kind of librarian who left footprints.

In her soft voice, Frances, her co-librarian and friend, shared a lot about her throughout day. "When she came to the school, she wanted to create more choices and build up the middle grade titles."

She co-created the Rooster Games, a day-long event that helps promote the books on the Rhode Island Children's Book Award List. She started book clubs that brought kids and adults together.

Later Frances said, "Karla loved Gordon so much, that when the middle school needed a director, she stepped in and served as Interim Director of the Middle School." That was what she was doing when she learned she was sick.

"She was a positive person," Clare, assistant to the headmaster told me. "She always thought she would be back." After spending a day at Gordon, I believe she never left.

Before my visit ended, I'd learned that Karla loved her family, the Gordon School, and windmills. And so the windmill above is a tribute to a great woman that I never met, but got to know.

THANKSGIVING

How did the little girl, watching turkeys scatter in my grandparents' pasture, become the grown woman sleeping in the bedroom down the hall?

Happy Thanksgiving!

HOME

Last night I returned from Rhode Island, the last stop on my autumn tour. I'll write about my visit there soon. For now, I just want to reconnect with this place I love.

READING WHILE WAITING

Monday and Tuesday I presented at several public libraries in the Chicago area. While I signed books at the Skoakie Public Library, one industrious teacher decided to occupy her students by reading a chapter of When Zachary Beaver Came to Town. It reminded me of the times I've waited on the runway before the plane took off. Sometimes I've had to do that for a couple of hours. But it usually doesn't bother me because I always have a good book. I've also read while waiting for the doctor, standing in line or while I killed a few minutes waiting for a phone appointment. Perhaps readers are more patient waiters. They look at the time as another opportunity to escape into a story.

After visiting the Skoakie Public Library, Lee Cho took me to a lovely dinner at Olivetis's before visited her library. A couple of nice surprises happened before my talk at the Des Plaines Public Library. First, Linda Sawyer from the Skoakie Public Library walked in the room with her darling little girl, Hannah.

"We forgot to get a picture together," she said. A few minutes later when Lee aimed the camera at the two of us, Hannah rushed over into the shot, flashing a big grin. It was a great moment.

The other surprise was meeting a reader from the Texas Panhandle. Her mother had bought My Louisiana Sky in Amarillo and given it to her granddaughter. After the mother read it she did a little research and found out that I lived in the Panhandle. She and her daughter drove forty-five minutes to meet me. That sort of effort makes my heart soar.

Then Vernon Public Library hosted my last evening in the area. Some of the kids and parents that attended belong to a book club led by librarian, Carol Kaner. They had read My Louisiana Sky and wanted to know more. I have a feeling that those parents and kids don't just talk about books. I'll bet they talk about everything. That's what books can do for families. Sharing stories can break down fences and open doors to all kinds of topics.

Thank you Skoakie, Des Plaines, and Vernon Public Libraries. You made me feel special.

Now that's a home library! Carol and Shel Kaner turned their basement into a place to store their passion for books. All their signed posters and books made my head spin. What a fun way to wait out a tornado!

10,000 FEET BELOW

I'm reminded of the beauty of the Texas Panhandle.

MY OWN BACKYARD

Usually visiting a school means I pack, board a plane, rent a car, and check in a hotel the day before my visit. Not this week. This week I got out of my own bed, fed my dog, drank coffee from my own coffeemaker. After dressing, I drove my car to the schools. One of those schools was only three miles away. What a treat!

Monday I visited Borger Middle and Elementary Schools. To prepare for my visit, the students read at least one of my books and some of the teachers had dressed as characters from When Zachary Beaver Came to Town. I appreciate all the hard work. But the real winners were the students. Their teachers brought my book to life.

When I speak to students, I don't use puppets or sing or pull a rabbit out of a hat. I talk about my journey to become a writer. I show some of my process--from inspiration to rewriting. They learn that childhood can be a very important time for a writer. That's where most of my inspirations come from. So it means a lot to me when the schools make the most from my visit. Thank you, Borger!

Yesterday I visited Sundown Lane Elementary School where I had the privilege of leading two writing workshops. Most of the participants were second to fourth graders, but the librarian, the literacy coach and the principal also joined in the fun. I was impressed! Those students have great role models. Thank you, Patti Garner and David Faver for inviting me to your school!

The pictures above are of Borger Middle School teachers dressed in the When Zachary Beaver Came to Town costumes. Some of them even went trick-or-treating that way!
And the young writer, whose pencil flew across the page, is second grader, Jayna, from Sundown Elementary School.

CHICAGO AREA EVENTS

If you live in the Chicago area, I'm heading your way. I hope you'll head my way, too.

Here's the scoop:

Monday, November 12, 7 PM
DES PLAINES PUBLIC LIBRARY
1501 Ellinwood Street
Des Plaines, Illinois

and

Tuesday, November 13, 7 PM
VERNON PUBLIC LIBRARY
300 Olde Half Day Road
Lincolnshire, Illinois


Both events are open to the public. Hope to see you there!

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AND TEXAS BOOK FESTIVAL

Friday night I spoke at University of Texas with Deborah Wiles and Linda Sue Park. Because I'm fascinated with how other writers come to the page, it was interesting to learn that while Deborah uses a notebook, Linda Sue chooses not to.

"I'd lose a notebook," Linda Sue explained. "Sometimes I write on scraps of paper. But I usually lose them, too."

When I said that I kept a notebook like Deborah, Linda Sue said, "Maybe I should I keep a notebook."

Goodness Linda Sue, whatever you're doing is working. Don't change a thing!

Thank you, Nancy Roser, for inviting me to speak with these smart women.

Saturday at the Texas Book Festival proved equally as satisfying. I spoke on a morning panel with Deborah, again. But this time, Adam Rex and Michael Hoeye joined us. Jennifer Brown moderated by asking us questions about how our work reflected place.

Later at my signing I met up, again, with some nice folks from Kingsville. Thanks, Roseanne for introducing my work to your students.

That afternoon, I participated in a panel with the authors of THE KIDS BOOK CLUB BOOK, Judy Gelman and Vicki Levy Krupp. My cousin Randy surprised me by attending. Randy's dad and my grandfather were brothers. I hadn't seen Randy since I was a senior at L.S.U. He's been busy as a music promoter and being a grandfather.

Other highlights from the festival--meeting up again with Gail Carson Levine, listening to Young Adult authors read at the Alamo Draft House, hearing my husband say, "Lets buy Sherman Alexie's book. It sounds great."

And the nicest sweetest highlight from last weekend--Shannon got a ride with one of her college friends and surprised her dad and me by joining us in Austin. She's the pretty brunette in the pic with my cousin Randy and me.

It was a weekend of books, family and friends.

Cupcake lovers rejoice! You never know what you'll find on Congress Street in Austin.
See the man, standing at the trailer window, ordering his wife a Vanilla Dream cupcake? That's a very good husband.

THE BEST AWARD

Perhaps the best award a writer receives is observing a child reading their book. That happened to me yesterday at Amy Parks-Heath Elementary School. At the end of day I settled at a table, to sign some remaining books. That's when I heard, "One afternoon a skinny brown dog wandered into Benny's Bakery."

At first, it startled me, because I wasn't used to hearing another voice read those words. Imagine my delight when I discovered the reader was six-year-old Rebecca, who sat on the library floor with SKINNY BROWN DOG covering her lap. It was the kind of moment that gives meaning to what children's writers do. We may write alone, but if we're lucky, our stories will never be alone.

(Amy Parks-Heath Elementary School of Rockwall ISD in Texas won their author school visit by having the most students from their school show up at StarLit. Some of the kids that attended are in the picture above.)

LAND OF ENCHANTMENT

I knew it was going to be a fun day when I noticed the neon sign over the library's entrance.

"I wanted the library to be comfortable and fun," said Kim Dunlap, the librarian from Slidell ISD.

Yesterday I spent the day there and I can confirm that she accomplished her goal. Slidell is a small community with a big heart near Denton, Texas. The students prepared for my visit by reading some of my books. I answered their questions about Tiger, Jolene and Toby while they told me about raising goats, coming across a copperhead snake, doing flips off storm cellars. All and all, it was good day.

ORIGINAL GYPSY CLUB MEMBER?

Nope. Just me in my first Halloween costume--a gypsy fortune teller.

TIME SURE PASSES FAST

when I'm having fun. It's hard to believe that I've been visiting schools for almost ten years. I still enjoy it. That's because every visit is a little different and because I always walk away learning something, too.

Yesterday I visited Briarhill Middle School in Highland Village and Delay Middle School in Lewisville. Thank you Bonnie Adams and Deborah Lilly. Your students and teachers made me feel welcome.

Today I spent a spectacular day at Forestridge Elementary in the Richardson ISD. I talked with the sharp fourth and fifth graders and got to shake the hand of every first grader on their way out the door. One little boy wiped his hand on his pants before shaking mine. Adorable! Thank you Alicia Mills for rolling out the red carpet!

Sometimes the things I learn at school visits are not always writing related. When Bonnie graciously gave me a gift bag, I slipped my hand inside and learned that I could detect a Godiva Chocolate box by touch.

The Zachary Beaver clay figure at the top was made by a student at Forestridge. She even put the bandage on his foot. The artist said that he was fatter until she baked him in the oven. After all the chocolate I've been given this week, I'm going to need to do the same!

FAMILY REUNION

Today I arrived in the Dallas area for a week of school visits. Tonight my parents and grandpa drove over from East Texas(and Louisiana) to have dinner with me in Richardson. My cousins, Kay and Taylor, joined us, too.

After dinner, Taylor asked, "When you were young did you like animals?"

I told her I did. "I even liked bugs. I still like bugs."

She said that she did, also, except for spiders.

It must be in the genes, I thought. Then she said, "I like snakes, too."

Well, genes can only go so far.

Thanks, folks, for the mini-family reunion!