While I’d planned to offer you a touchy-feely-back-in-the-saddle-after-my-retreat-post, I got a surprise a week ago.
My regular readers know I conduct poetry workshops for local schoolchildren through the regional River Of Words program sponsored by the Hudson Highlands Land Trust. While I was away, I received an email from them asking when to announce my new children’s book, Forest, What Would You Like? (The book grew out of my work with them.) I understood the pub date was March 1st, but thought I’d doublecheck online. Imagine my surprise when I discovered it was already available!
I have a call in to my editor to see whether the still-listed pub date of March 1 means that is the date you can find it in your local bookstore (yay!) but if you can’t wait, here are some links:
Powell’s Books Barnes and Noble Amazon
My author copies arrived yesterday, and I am happy to say that I am deeply pleased with the book, especially with the delightful and evocative illustrations by Pat Schories. She is a wonderful and widely celebrated illustrator and author herself (you may know her bestselling delightful “Biscuit” series.) She’s also an enormously talented botanical artist. She did a superb job of capturing the flora, fauna, childra (!) and spirit of the book. And she’s a charming personal friend!
An additional gift this week was a lovely notice from Kirkus Reviews. I would link you to it, but you must subscribe, so, to save you a step, here’s: FOREST, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE Kirkus 2.1.13 (This link displays the review without your having to subscribe.)
Please note: the lovely roses surrounding this book may not accompany your personal version of the book. They are from my beloved husband, John.
How can one be back in the saddle and at the same time in harness again? It’s where I find my post-retreat self. If I can further clarify this for you next week, I shall. For now, it’s a pleasure to know you are there, still reading.