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Hello everyone, first I want to wish you all a very Happy New Year. It has been a hard year for many of us and lots had happened. Now is the time to start a fresh in 2013. I want to welcome Scholastic Inc. to my every growing publisher list. I am very happy to have them aboard. Last update I reviewed three Young Adult Novels. In this update I will be reviewing three picture books. 

Picture Books

1) "The Never- Ending Greenness. We made Israel Bloom."- The book was written and illustrated by Neil Waldman. Published by Boyds Mills Press Inc. 1997. Originally published by: NY Morrow Junior Books 1997. Summary: "When his family comes to live in Israel after the end of World War II, a young boy begins planting and caring for trees, a practice that spreads across the whole Country." The author tells us the story of one Jewish family who escaped the horrors of the Holocaust and settled in Israel. After witnessing the terror of World War II and the bareness of his town of Vilna, a boy decides to plant trees to bring the spark of life to his new home. The amazing  Illustratrations add vividness to the story.  

2) "Has a Donkey Ever Brought you breakfast in bed"- This book was written by Pat Brannon and illustrated by Karen Deming. Published by Freedom of Speech Publishing Inc., Leawood KS 2012.  This author creates a funny world of "mighty" animals who can: "juggle lemons," "wear red go-go boots", or "tap dance all day long." It is a funny book with very simple illustrations that catch the eye. Even though it does not focus on one character, it is still a good story.  Your child will be laughing and pointing out the wacky animal events in the book.  If you want your child to have a good time get a copy.

3) "Dawn"- This book was written and illustrated by Uri Shulevitz. Published by Sunburst Books an imprint of Farrar, Straus and Giroux 1974. This is the second edition 1987. It is a great book to read to your children before they go to sleep. Simple words and simple illustrations make them live and feel in the moment. We usually do not take a moment to observe our own surroundings: the star shining in the sky above, the bird singing, or the blooming flower below our feet. This book will encourage your children to live in the moment. I highly recommend this book for everyone. It is amazing how one picture and a few words can tell a story. Go out there and get  your child a copy of this wonderful book.

Thank you everyone for following me on my blog. I will be celebrating two years in February, and I will try my best to make an update twice a month. Happy 2013 let your life shine life. Next time I will review Middle Grade books. 

I'm going to messy this week with the words, just splat them out, and hope for the best.

Words inside me
speak, lurk, bless, hurt,
harsh words, shiny words,
ultimate words, globby words.
Pollock-like,
I splash, drip, puddle words
against paper,
my household, plain words, nothing fancy
not really caring if anyone sees the art.

Words speak, whisper, shout, sing,
the reason, the what, the why.
My words-- insecure, broken, aching, fearful.
there isn't always a why.
The word storm holds me.
I know everything will rush on
before I've had a chance to catch my breath.
I track the signs --
portents scratched in the sidewalks,
on the sides of rail cars,
in the stars.
And me--
hardly able to understand anything,
a small time crook, a tin star,
an untended pot, an up-ended tub,

Have I marred the universe so much with my
torrent river of messed up metaphor
that I'm a side-show no-name,
dead end street and backside of nowhere?
And yet, inside the rot of me grows
a bean seed, its curling leaves doing
whatever they can to find the light.

Tomorrow is coming furious too fast.
Words shape, form, change
the world, the hearts, the future.
Me, a'praying my words cast out demons,
wilt magic,toss mountains,
reflect everlasting,
shine starlight,
lift spirits.
Me first. Write on.


This week's doodle, "Hippos, Rhinos, Ephalumps, Friends." I do love a really messy watercolor.



Remember: ©Molly Blaisdell, all rights reserved. If you want to use my cool doodles, ask permission first. It is so wrong to take people's doodles without permission!

My playlist hit this week --from President Obama's inauguration-- is John Williams' arrangement of "Air and Simple Gifts", Yo-yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, and other playing. Enjoy.



The healing of the world is in its nameless saints. Each separate star seems nothing, but a myriad scattered stars break up the night and make it beautiful. Bayard Taylor