new news

I'm so thrilled to share my news with you:

I'm now represented by Molly O'Neill at Root Literary.

Here's to all the words ahead -

The scribbles, sketches, 

 fresh pages,

new chapters,

erasers.

Here's to exuberance -

all those story seeds wishing their way into the world 

- and to hope.

If you're interested, I'd love to show you my new website:

faithpraybooks.com

I'll still tend this blog when I can, 

still share my lovely finds

 of life and books and story-making, 

wildebeest-wrangling, life-learning, and looking for joy in the daily dirt.

Thank you for supporting and encouraging and connecting with me

through the past eight years. 

Thank you.

Here's to our adventures ahead!  

Christmas Post

Happy Holidays, my friends!

I wish you joy, love, light, and a hopeful new year.

Be well! Have peace! Shine bright!

Running with Wolves

No, we do not run with wolves in the summer. 

It's something slightly less scary, but nearly as tangled and free.

School's out! Tide's in! 

It's our creative breath and bread, 

embracing this warmth of days that ease into night.

Time to experiment.

Time to paint.

Time to play. 

Paint pens + plastic animals

+ eye screws + beads.

 Sometimes you just need to wear a rhino around your neck.

Time to read.

The wildebeests and I have retreated into our reading cozies. 

These beauties are in my stack:

Plot Whisperer by Martha Alderson

The Emotional Craft of Fiction by Donald Maass

Happy sunshine, my friends!
Our summer story awaits!

 

A few book favorites so far:

The Inquisitor's Tale by Adam Gidwitz, illustrated by Hatem Aly

Papillon, the Very Fluffy Kitten by A.N. Kang

The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo

Tippy and the Night Parade by Lilli Carre

 

Teacherly treats

I've been gussying up these tiny friends for Teacher Appreciation Week.

...because we like a good party.

Especially one with pencils.

Especially one with teachers.


And because I'm so grateful to teachers
for sparking me to be the curious person that I am,
I'm sharing a few printables for educators and their fans everywhere.

Feel free to print and share.*

{*Please keep the love vibes going. Please don't sell these for profit.
Please keep my name credited with my work. Thanks!}

Panda
Chameleon
Koala
Zoo

Thank you, Miss. B, Mrs. Walters, Mrs. Kelly, and Ms. Chu for sparking a love of words and books that still fire me up every day.

Thank you, teachers everywhere.

Books!

Chrysanthemum - Kevin Henkes

My Name is Yoon - Helen Recorvits, Gabi Swiatkowska

The Dot - Peter H. Reynolds

Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse - Kevin Henkes

 

 Love That Dog - Sharon Creech
Word After Word After Word - Patricia MacLachlan
A Year Of Miss Agnes - Kirkpatrick Hill
Ramona the Pest - Beverly Cleary
Frindle - Andrew Clements
Murder is Bad Manners - Robin Stevens

Valentiney

When birthdays and valentines converge in my house

I get sketchy.

Paper animals, toothpicks, string

splay out in little heaps

 just waiting for the party to begin.

 We're abuzz.

 Happy Heart Day, friends!

Keep bringing your love and unique flair into the world!

Love!

advent friends

Here are the polar friends, nearly finished,

hoping to bring light and love

into the world.

They kind of make me feel like the party has arrived. 

See? They even brought candy canes and made cookies. 

 

I kind of forgot to make Christmas cards 

so these are going to be my tiny love and light-bringers.

And these.

Happy Advent, my friends.

May thankfulness, 

love 

and light 

fill you up

and bring you peace.