Spotlight On My Favorite Local Book Shop

The wonderful book blog, She Is Too Fond Of Books, has recently posted my essay on The Book Shop in Beverly Farms.  It's a fabulous little shop and everyone there is very friendly and helpful.

It seems that even the big bookstores are struggling these days, so it is more important than ever that we do everything we can to support our local independent book shops. Small is beautiful!

I hope you will take a peek at my essay, and visit Dawn's blog often.  It is lots of fun, and loaded with great reviews and information-- even recipes!

The Book Shop in Beverly Farms

My 'Dumpling Day' Got Snowed On

Well, I tried.  I was totally prepared to walk around blustery Cambridge so I was wearing sensible layers of clothing, my down coat, my warm boots, my shearling mittens.  I had my ticket in my purse.

I brushed the snow off my car and off I went.  I was going to take the train down to Boston, then the Red Line to Cambridge, for Grace Lin's book launch party for her new book, Dumpling Days.  I'd been planning it for weeks.


I needed to make a couple of stops in town before driving to the train station, but...  I never made it to the train.  The roads were so slick that my car wasn't getting any traction and I was sliding around corners.  In mid-skid the "Service Engine" light went on, so I thought, "Uh-oh, that's not good."

I drove another couple of miles toward the train station and decided the wisest thing to do was to turn around and go home.  I was worried about my car, about sliding into a ditch–– and I was worried that some other car would crash into me.  Why are there always crazy people on the road who drive way too fast in a snow storm?

Well, life is full of little disappointments.  I'm very sorry I didn't make it yesterday to the book launch party, but maybe I'll still get a chance to attend one of her events in the future.  Hopefully, the next one will be in the summer!

PS:  You can visit Grace's blog to see all the fun (and the goodie bag!) that I missed.   :(

At least the snow is pretty.

This Is Why Angus Loves Opera

I just made an amazing discovery––

You can watch videos of the most wonderful musical performances on the planet on YouTube. (I know, I should have figured this out ages ago, but when it comes to technology I'm pretty much a dinosaur.)

This is probably my favorite duet (from Lakmé), performed by two incredible sopranos, Anna Netrebko and Elina Garanca.

Turn up the volume, and be ready to be thrilled.

Resolutions

I never liked the idea of making New Year's resolutions.  Too often they seem doomed to fail, and then you feel defeated.  I much prefer to have goals.  Goals are more reasonable; you can work toward them slowly, and then even if you don't fully succeed, you can feel good that you have made progress.

This year my goal is to push myself further beyond the boundaries of my quiet, introverted 'comfort zone.'  MouseSqueaks was a huge step for me, and as it turns out–– it's really fun.  But it seems far less daunting than actually going out to schools and libraries and introducing myself, with a copy of Angus MacMouse in hand.  (And that's exactly what authors have to do these days.  Unless you are already well-known, publishers don't have the time, staff, or money to promote your book for you.)

I've been making excuses for months, and the silly thing is, I know that once I have done it, I'll realize that it wasn't so difficult or painful after all.  People are invariably very nice and happy to help.  So, why is this so hard?

I should follow the example of my own character, Angus MacMouse, who despite his diminutive stature, didn't let anything stop him from doing what he needed to do.

I'll let you know in a few weeks if I've made any progress.

In the meantime, I wish you all a very happy and healthy New Year!  As John Lennon wrote in his song, War Is Over :  "Let's hope it's a good one, without any fear."

He's Here!

Isn't he cute?

Angus MacMouse has arrived at my house!


I searched the internet to find a puppet that looked like Angus.  I found this one from Folkmanis on eBay.  My plan is to bring him along as my special, surprise "guest" when I do school and library visits to talk about Angus MacMouse Brings Down The House.  I might even coax him to conduct a selection from CARMEN!

Now I have to make him a tuxedo.  I hope my meager sewing skills are up to the task.  

I think he's quite the handsome little fellow, don't you?

A Little Late, But...

Happy day after Christmas!  I hope everyone had a joyous holiday.

I wanted to talk about one of my favorite Christmas books–– which I should have done before Christmas–– but I got a little behind in the wrapping, and the baking, and the mailing, and all the little details that needed to be done.

Anyway, if you love picture books, as I do, you can keep this one in mind for next year's 'wish list.'

The Mole Family's Christmas, by Russell Hoban and illustrated by Lillian Hoban, was given to my daughter when she was little, and I'm sorry to say that it's out of print.  (But, of course, you can still get it on Amazon.)  It is SO delightful.


The Washington Post said, "An endearing family of moles who spend their time tunneling in the dark and know nothing of Christmas discover that it is not just for people, but can also bring happiness to nearsighted little moles if they show ingenuity and courage."

The Mole family works hard tunneling under the ground every day.  But one night the Moles' son, Delver, digs his way to the surface where he meets two extremely helpful mice.  The lady mouse tells Delver about the stars.  She says, "It's almost like singing, you might say, the way they glimmer and shine, isn't it?"  But, of course, being very nearsighted, Delver can't see the stars.

The other mouse tells Delver about Christmas, and "the fat man in the red suit" who "comes puffing and wheezing down the chimney, puts knicknacks and candy in stockings, leaves all kinds of packages around, says 'Ho, ho, ho,' and goes huffing and puffing up the chimney again.  It's quite an odd thing really, but he does it only once a year, and nobody seems to mind."

So, Delver, a very clever little mole, figures out a way for the 'fat man in the red suit' to help the Mole family finally be able to see the stars.

Lillian Hoban's illustrations bring the characters to life with charm and a touch of humor.

I love this book, and if you love picture books, I hope you can find a copy to add to your collection.

To Neverland And Back

This past weekend I received an early Christmas present from my wonderful daughter, and we went to see the utterly fantastic production of Peter Pan which is playing in Boston at City Hall Plaza.

Truly, I don't think words can describe such a magical experience, so I encourage everyone to go and see it for yourselves.  You won't regret it, no matter how old (or young) you are. The show taps into that secret place in all of us which, like Peter, delights in the wonder and joy of being a child.

It was the coldest December day we have had so far, and the wind blowing across City Hall Plaza was fierce, but it was warm inside the huge white pavilion.  And by the end of the show, our hearts were warmed as well.

The production is 'in the round' so every person in the audience feels they have an intimate connection with the performance.  The actors are all excellent in their roles, but there is also puppetry, acrobatics, dancing, singing, sword fighting…  and of course, flying! 

The flying is breathtaking.

  

The theater was conceived as the world's first 360 degree projected movie for live theater, which creates illusions that are absolutely dazzling.  Please don't misunderstand!  The actors really do fly around the stage and soar to the top of the pavilion, but it is the combination of the aerial choreography and the 360º projections that creates the amazing illusions of flying over London, up into the stars, and "straight on till morning."   

I was listening to the comments as we were leaving, and I think the grown-ups enjoyed it just as much, if not more, than the children.  We all wanted to fly off to Neverland with Peter and Wendy.

(If you live near Boston, hurry! Go! You only have until Dec. 31st to see it.)