Imagine an Art Project!
The students at John Norquay Elementary School in Vancouver, Canada did something truly extraordinary! Classes often do art projects based on the Imagine series of picture books, in which my poems were paired with magical realistic art by the remarkable John Gonsalves, but rarely are they are stunning as these enchanting sculptures. The effect is of a magical forest. How I’d love to stroll through it!
Phenomenal Woman
Heartbroken to lose her. The world is sadder, dimmer, and less beautiful without her.
Read MoreThings Ninjas Didn’t Do (That You Think They Did)
Infiltration–not an admirable activity in feudal Japan
#3) Be cool.
It’s hard to believe–I mean, what’s cooler than a ninja?– but ninjas were not respected during their time. They were, basically, the scum of the earth, about as low as actors or beggars or people who handled corpses for burial or cremation–all of whom had a hard time of it in feudal Japan.
How could somebody with the skills of a ninja be looked down upon? Well, the warrior ideal in Japan at the time was the samurai, riding boldly into battle, challenging a foe to single combat, preferring death to dishonor, etc., etc. It would have been entirely beneath a samurai’s dignity to sneak about in disguise, to knife someone in the back, to lie, to spy, or to steal. Which is why samurai and warlords hired ninjas to do these thing for them.
It would also have been shocking for a samurai to accept payment for fighting, or to serve more than one master. Both of these were things that ninjas frequently did.
So ninjas were despised in their day. But also very useful.
Read MorePuzzles, Puzzles Everywhere
No, you can’t just click this symbol. It’s a little harder than that.
Feeling a little bored? Need a challenge? Locate this symbol somewhere on my website and click on it to see if you can solve four puzzles related to The Secrets of the Seven. If you succeed, a reward beyond riches will be yours! (Well, there’s a reward. It’s kind of neat.)
Read MoreSarah L. Thomson
A children’s book author publishing award-winning nonfiction, poetry, picture books and novels including…
“Thomson focuses on newfound connection, magic, and suspense to conjure a fast-paced, heartwarming mystery. Thomson’s world is populated by resourceful protagonists, fanciful creatures, and quirky supporting characters.”
—Publishers Weekly