The first half of this year has been action packed. Each month has brought something exciting and enriching, and it’s my joy to share a bit of it with you.
It’s been too long!
So at this mid-point of 2024, here is a collection of the top 10 experiences of the year, so far - ones that quickened my heart with growth, excitement and surprise.
(Be sure to click the pics on the right-hand side of each image group, to scroll through the carousels!)
#1: Final Book Tour Stop
In January, The Literary bookstore in Champaign, Ill., hosted a book event for WILLOW AND BUNNY - words by me, illustrations by Christopher Denise. It was one of my favorite story times ever. In part, because this bookstore is so special - an absolute treasure in the community. But also because so many beautiful people I love were there (including my Mom and Dad, to whom I dedicated the book, on their anniversary!). Then those beautiful people invited their beautiful people, resulting in a circle of all the good things. This was the final stop on the book launch tour, and what a finale it was. For all the book tour pics, visit this post!
#2: Learning and Presenting in Florida
Less than a week after the event in Champaign, I headed to Florida for the annual ATiA (Assistive Technology Industry Association) Conference. I attended and learned alongside Jordyn Zimmerman, my colleague at The Nora Project, a nonprofit that builds inclusive classrooms through school-wide professional learning for educators, and Disability Studies-informed social emotional learning curricula for students in PreK through high school. (Check out the mission video here!) Jordyn and I presented on ways that educators can anticipate and support the needs of learners. (PS: The documentary This Is Not About Me, featuring Jordyn’s story, is not to be missed.)
#3: Hometown School Visit
All school visits are special, but talking about stories and writing with your very own children and their classmates is pretty dang priceless. The librarian of my daughters’ school set the stage and hosted such a lovely visit, and the conversation and connection with the kids was extra open and unguarded - which leads to the very best collaboration, in my opinion. Write on, young friends!
#4: Making Memories in the Mountains
Spring Break brought us to Colorado. I visited with readers at an AMAZING school in Commerce City (Go Yetis!), and our fam went skiing in Breckenridge. I cannot more highly recommend the Breckenridge Adaptive Ski and Snowboard School. The staff and the support provided were next-level awesome.
#5: Books and Blooms
Warming temps brought exciting book news: WILLOW AND BUNNY was named to the esteemed Bank Street College of Education’s Best Children’s Books of the Year 2024 — recognized as a “Recommended Read Aloud.” Such an honor! (If you are looking for a list of incredible children’s books, this is it!) I also snuck away with two of my best friends to our favorite cabin in the woods for a writing retreat, just as I received a sneak peek of the French edition of WILLOW AND BUNNY! (Coming soon! Scroll to see the title page!) Also this spring, a local nature gift store kindly welcomed me in for a signing event. Geneva friends, visit The Winding Deerpath for the very best and most unique gifts created by local artists.
#6: Watching Them Shine
Things got completely bananas in May - I’m honestly just now recovering! Much of it involved watching the girls shine bright like diamonds. Please forgive me, as I indulge in sharing a few family photos with you - from Maycember’s end-of-year field trips and parties, to outdoor adventures and parades.
#7: Tech in Education in Denver
Then it was back to Denver — this time, for professional learning and connecting. On behalf of The Nora Project, Jordyn and I ventured west to ISTELIVE 2024, the annual conference of ISTE, the International Society for Technology in Education. Wow, major innovations are revolutionizing today’s classrooms, making curricula and learning more accessible than ever before. Jordyn and I connected with educators to encourage thinking around ways that leaders can use technology to enable learners to thrive. We also got to spend time with Paul Reynolds of Reynolds Center TLC and International Dot Day, to discuss bravery in creation and supporting kids in making their own mark. A wonderful chat!
#8: Two Picture Book Honors
June brought two (very!) unexpected awards, as WILLOW AND BUNNY was honored with a Christopher Award, as well as a Crystal Kite. Friends, I’m still not sure this has sunken in. The Christopher Awards honor books that “add light to the world.” Six books for young children were selected. I’m floored that our title was honored and so grateful for everyone who touched the manuscript — my critique partners and agent Stephanie Hansen, and most especially Christopher Denise, Kelsey Skea and the entire Two Lions team. Then, as I was about to board the plane home from ISTE, I found that WILLOW AND BUNNY had received a Crystal Kite, selected as the winner of the eight-state Midwest Region! This Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators award is voted on by members, peers in the children’s literature industry. I am so deeply humbled by this and grateful to share the moment with so many friends, including Katey Howes, author of WOVEN OF THE WORLD (Atlantic Region Winner), who passed this spring. Katey was a sheer light of a human, the very best of the best. Please support her phenomenal books, which you’ll find here!
#9: Summer Book Fun
Geneva and the people in it continue to be the most incredible and giving friends. June brought two book events - a WILLOW AND BUNNY story time at our public library (with a willow leaf painting craft), and a second book signing at The Winding Deerpath. I truly cannot imagine a more supportive community. Thank you for being in my corner, in so many ways!
#10: Embracing the Dance
Over the past six months, so many dreams have come true — it’s really hard to believe it’s real sometimes. Pursuing the work that fulfills and sustains me is a delicate dance, though. As so many creators will attest, there’s simply no way to do it all. I feel split into three distinct pieces all of the time: Doing 1/3 my best, for the people I love most in the universe, for the mission of building inclusive classrooms, for the writing career I’ve wanted since I was in kindergarten. My family understands that I need to make and take time to nurture my craft and explore every opportunity. And so we press on to the future, prayerfully and with great gratitude for the gifts and blessings at every turn.
