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This is the first time I'm not doing a major tour for one of my books--it feels strange! And I'll actually be home with my family on both Valentine's Day and my birthday this year, hooray! But oh, how I will miss you.

The timing is great, though. I've got a few tight deadlines in the first half of 2012, so being able to work at home means I'll be a lot more productive (which means more books for you in 2013)! But I'll miss meeting booksellers, librarians, teachers, and especially teens this time around. I think I will be touring again in the fall when The Unwanteds: Island of Silence comes out.

The good news is that I'll be doing a few short visits here and there. This Thursday I'll be at CHANGING HANDS BOOKSTORE in Tempe, AZ for the launch party of DEAD TO YOU (call ahead to order personalized/signed copies--they ship almost anywhere). I'll be at the Chino Book Festival in Chino, CA on Sunday, Feb 26, signing in the Mrs. Nelson's Toys & Books booth. I'll also be visiting one of my favorite cities, Houston, for their Teen Book Festival in mid-April. As always, you can follow my travels on the TOUR page on my website. I will add more as they come along.

I hope you enjoy DEAD TO YOU! It's a stand-alone. And hopefully soon I'll be able to let you know what's coming next -- I can't wait to share the news! Stay tuned.

Thank you for buying my books! I really appreciate you.

xoxo

Check my website tour page regularly for details. (Specifics on Livingston Parish Libraries in Louisiana to come.)

Also on that page -- please take advantage of the Demand It! widget. Maybe I'll come to your nearest major city some day!

There are some wonderfully vibrant picture books around which both add a zing to El Día de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead) festivities taking place today in Mexico, and give children everywhere the opportunity to take part, even if it is via their imaginations.

Jeanette Winter has both written and illustrated books on the theme. In Calavera Abecedario: A Day of the Dead Alphabet Book, the special papier maché skeletons come to life and dance their way through the pages: it’s a fun and lively introduction to the day’s inherent craft traditions. Illustrated by Jeannette Winter, Day of the Dead is equally effective visually; the book’s author Tony Johnston tells the story of a family’s day of preparations before going out into the night “to welcome the spirits of their loved ones home again”.

Author Janice Levy and illustrator Loretta Lopez have teamed up again (published earlier this year was Celebrate! It’s Cinco de Mayo! / Celebremos! Es El Cinco de Mayo!) on a new, bilingual story, I Remember Abuelito: A Day of the Dead Story / Yo Recuerdo a Abuelito: Un Cuento Del Día De Los Muertos. It’s about a little girl who is thinking particularly about her beloved abuelito (grandfather), who has died a few month’s previously, as she helps her family get ready for the Day of the Dead celebrations, when she knows she will find him again. A full review of this gentle and uplifting story with accompanying activities will be published in this month’s update of PaperTigers… Janice Levy is, of course, also the author of the very special The Spirit Of Tío Fernando: A Day of the Dead Story/El espíritu de tío Fernando: Una historia del Día de los Muertos.

And for a story - Magic Night, Noche Mágica - directly from author René Colato Laínez‘ manuscript, check out this post on La Bloga…

Meanwhile, on the other side of the world from where all these festivities are taking place, today has been chosen as the UK’s Family Storytelling Day, to kick off the month’s StoryQuest. Even if you’re too far away to take part physically in any of the many events being organised all over the country, take a look at the website for ideas and tips on how to go about introducing your children to their own family heritage: share in the Día de los Muertos celebrations and bring your ancestors alive by passing their stories down through the generations.