Science is the greatest of adventure stories.

Books and Cookies

Chudney Ross, daughter of Diana Ross of The Supremes, has opened a bookstore/bakery in Santa Monica, California called "Books and Cookies."

I hope someday I'll have a chance to visit/volunteer there, and maybe read one of my own books. According to her website, Chudney Ross is also the author of an upcoming children's series called "Bean's Books."

Whenever the song "I Hear a Symphony" comes on my iPod, I think of an illustration class I took with Elsa Warnick. She said that after she completes a set of quality thumbnails for a children's book, she hears a symphony.

I joined Twitter

I joined Twitter the other day because a successful, New York City PR lady I met at an Irish cocktail party talked about joining Twitter as if it were a matter of life and death, sink or swim, publish or perish and so on.  I go by Livre_Diva. Please follow me and I'll try to provide interesting tweets.

So far, I have found agents and editors on Twitter, as well as other kids' book enthusiasts. I also found a girl whose children's book blog is similar to mine. Her name is Emma and her blog is  Short, Easy Words Like "What About Lunch?"

Some books I read last night

"Little Rat Makes Music" is an early reader about the rewards of perseverance. The illustrations by Molly Bang are exquisite, exuding color and evoking various moods. Her style has risen to new heights since her earlier books, such as, "When Sophie Gets Angry--Really, Really Angry," another wonderful book, but less detailed and visually stunning than this one. I think kids will be able to relate to Little Rat's frustration at learning to play the violin and taking lessons from a crusty-tempered rabbit.

Some more great books for beginning readers are the books by Crosby Bonsall. I had never heard of this author until last night when I read, "The Case of The Scaredy Cats," "And I Mean it Stanley," and "Who's Afraid of The Dark?" These books are from the early 70's and they should not be missed. Bonsall addresses emotions such as pride, fear and loneliness and includes an element of surprise in each one.

And to cap off this treasure trove of book recommendations, I give you "For Just One Day." This is an absolute classic. The author's biography on the jacket flap feels a bit self-important, but she deserves to boast. The illustrator's biography is just a standard who-what-where, but a little boasting from him would be justified.

Marc Boutavant's style is retro like a disco club. It's totally groovy and far out if you catch my drift. The book switches back and forth between imagination and reality, and in imagination mode, the colors burst off the page. Go buy this book for a child you know and spread the joy.

A little girl interviews Tim Egan about writing.

I love Tim Egan. He's one of my all time favorite authors. And I can't wait for Dodsworth in Rome to come out. :)

Agents

A person who paces as much as I do has little patience. I usually can't sit through a movie. I try to maneuver my way around slow walkers. I go stir crazy while waiting for buses and people, and I knock myself out with sleeping pills on long flights. I also have little patience for other impatient people.

I work in customer service and "Where's my cappuccino?" has begun to sound as monotonous as barking seals . Several weeks ago, a customer at my work pointed to her plate, empty except for the crumbs, and complained, "It would have been nice to have my latte with my almond croissant, but you took too long, and now the latte is an afterthought." I wonder if that woman is impatient about everything, and if she were in my situation if she'd say to an agent, "Gee, it would have been nice to have an agent as soon as I finished my book. But you took too long and now the book is an afterthought."

I am trying to find an agent for my early chapter book, "Wormsworth, World Traveler." So far, I have sent it to Caryn Wiseman of Andrea Brown Literary, a reputable agency with a website that feels like a welcome mat and Chris Richman of Upstart Crow, an agency whose website feels like an intriguing, musty old attic. I guess I have a long wait ahead of me. Where is my fairy godmother when I need her to make an agent fall in love with me quickly?

Maybe my fairy godmother is a blogger. I found a wonderful blog which lists agents who represent authors of children's and young adult fiction. Some of these agents handle only young adult lit, so I had to research each one. I also checked out the Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market, which is a useful tool. At first, while doing research, I found it discouraging how many of these agents specialize in children's books AND smutty romance novels. Then, the more reaearch I did, I realized how many good agencies there are and how many options I have.

Rather than going through a door to exciting new places, this stage feels more like being stuck in an elevator on my way to exciting places. Here are some agencies I researched that look really good to me:

Upstart Crow Literary

Adams Literary

Greenhouse Literary

Andrea Brown Literary

Erin Murphy Literary

Herman Agency

Nancy Galt Literary Agency

Pippin Properties, INC.

Bink and Gollie

Golly gee! Bink and Gollie is a great book! The writing style is smart and sparse and the illustrations are magnificent. The illustrator, Tony Fucile, uses a great technique of highlighting the most interesting aspects of each drawing. In one drawing, everyone in a movie theater is shown in black and white, except for Bink and Gollie. The facial expressions are classic and add humor and depth to the story. This would be a great book to read aloud to children and discuss different emotions showcased on the characters' faces.

This book won me over because it is an original and humorous work about friendship. Bink and Gollie live in different tree houses in the same tree. Without parents or guardians, they enjoy a fancy-free existence. The independence of these heroines reminded me of Pippi Longstocking, while their differences and affinity for each other reminded me of Frog and Toad.

This book is bound to boost kids' confidence in reading and provide a rollicking, roller skating joyride.

Pixar Studios

This looks like the most exciting place to work. I wouldn't just work there, I would live there if I could.