Podcast Updates

This week I had such fun chatting with the internationally acclaimed & highly talented Teacher, Children's Book Author, Painter, Photographer, and Toy Designer Bryan Ballinger! We talked about his love of children’s books, his recent foray into toy design, and how math is essential as an artist. 

We also chatted about his upcoming book, The Big Wig Parade, which will be available on May 9th.

You can order the book here:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/1648230253

Project Updates

This week I worked with a friend to help me write a first draft of the ‘Scrappy The Christmas Wrapping Elf’.  It is an excellent first draft that I can tweak and send to a developmental editor.  I also am working on a draft of the ‘Sister Kittens book that I will look to get illustrated sometime this year.

What I’m reading

This past week I read Ben Hatke’s ‘Mighty Jack and Zita the Spacegirl’ I first started reading Ben’s work with ‘Mighty Jack’ but never read any of his Zita stories.  I must say, as someone who only knew half of the characters in this book, Ben did a fantastic job not getting the reader lost in the story. 

It takes a specific storytelling skill to start a book halfway through a character’s developmental story arc and not make a first-time reader get lost, and Ben did a great job with that.

I enjoyed learning about Zita and her background, along with her supporting cast of characters, and now I am excited to learn about her and read her stories.

Personal Updates

This week was the first week of after-school activities for the girls.  Seeing them doing more activities was nice, and the COVID lockdown now feels like a distant memory.

The wife and I went on a date night for dinner and a movie.  The first time I have been to a movie theater since COVID.  We watched the third Antman film, and it was a delight. 

Also, on the home front, my friend and contractor are renovating the downstairs game room into a bedroom for Edith and me.  Since the boy is turning three this year, it is high time he has his bedroom.  Sharing space in mommy and daddy’s room is getting too distracting.