Climb the Steeple of Old North Church

Posted by on Jun 6, 2024 in American History, Nonfiction, PIcture Books | Comments Off on Climb the Steeple of Old North Church

Photo Credit: Beyond My Ken

While I’m waiting to hear back from my editor on a collection of poems about Paul Revere’s ride, I thought I’d share this delightful resource I came across on during my research–a virtual tour of the steeple and bell tower of Old North Church. Follow the stairs and ladders up to the top and imagine yourself as Revere’s two friends (or maybe just one, the historical record is a bit on the skimpy side) toiling up the tallest point in Boston to light a pair of lanterns and let watchers in Charlestown know that the redcoats were leaving Boston over the Charles River…

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Happy Book Birthday to Save the…Turtles!

Posted by on May 30, 2024 in Animals, Nonfiction, SERIES: Save the... | Comments Off on Happy Book Birthday to Save the…Turtles!

It’s publication day for Save the…Turtles, the book that introduced me to the term “chelonian.” Meet Jonathan, a Seychelles giant tortoise and the oldest living land animal…find out how turtles breathe through their butts (it’s true, they do)…and learn about the Wijsen sisters, teenage environmental activists. “Written in an engaging, easy-to-read style, this series works for both research and personal reading,” says Booklist.

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A Summer Poem

Posted by on May 23, 2024 in Animals, Poems | Comments Off on A Summer Poem

Image by katja from Pixabay

I’ve been working lately on a collection of poems united by themes of the natural world, the seasons, and clothing or textiles. Yep, clothes. Just a thing I’m playing with.

Since summer has arrived in Maine all in a rush (time to get the flannel sheets off the bed, I guess), I’m sharing one of my summer poems.

Small World

What does a worm wear?
miles of earth
deep dark tunnels
cool soft spaces

What does a firefly wear?
dim purple twilight
an endless hush
between dawn and dusk

What does a mosquito wear?
the sharpest sword

What does a cricket wear?
music

What does a honeybee wear?
heavy golden dusk
slow summer days
sweetness


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Yep, It’s Like That

Posted by on May 16, 2024 in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Yep, It’s Like That

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Translations!

Posted by on May 9, 2024 in BOOK: Two Friends, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Translations!

Meu livro foi traduzido para português e estoniano!

Minu raamat on tõlgitud eesti ja portugali keelde!

My book has been translated into Portuguese and Estonian!

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Ziphius

Posted by on May 2, 2024 in Animals, BOOK: Griffin's Boy, Fantasy | Comments Off on Ziphius

The ziphius is the one in the middle. Do not let the mournful eyes deceive you. It’s a killer.

This morning I sent off to my agent an outline for a sequel to The Griffin’s Boy. If I get the go-ahead to write it, I hope will heavily feature a legendary water creature, the ziphius or water owl.

With a beaked face and a sharp dorsal fin, it could attack ships by puncturing them or gnawing on them. A delightful and little known creature…I do hope I get the chance to include it in a book. Fingers crossed, everybody!

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Booklist Reviews Save the…Turtles!

Posted by on Apr 11, 2024 in SERIES: Save the... | Comments Off on Booklist Reviews Save the…Turtles!

Happy to say that Booklist approves of Save the…Turtles! Their review says:

Readers learn about where turtles live, from the desert to bodies of water, and get to meet Jonathan, a Seychelles giant tortoise who–at over 190 years old–holds the title of being the oldest land animal on Earth….Written in an engaging, easy-to-read style, this series works for both research and personal reading.

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