Early Reader

Here's Lily Peach. Is she reading? It certainly looks like it to me. In fact, I think she might even be pondering--seeing if she quite agrees with just what that book has been telling her all morning long. And how nice to do your reading in front of a mirror so you can check on your outfit as you go.

But then again, is it really any surpise she'd be reading at 6 months? She is, after all, the daughter of the brilliant Jago. Wonderful father, exquisite illustrator and the guy I am lucky enough to have worked with on The Jesus Storybook Bible.

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION ...

Based on the Movie of the Book of the Handbag...
Best Handbag in a Supporting Role: Clasp
Singiest Song: The Handbag Song
Best Costume: Lady under the Bush Oufit, by Bolshee and Banana
Best Shoe in an Understudy Role: Meany Blah-Blah
Best Interiors and Chickens: Pinkfoxe and Fowler
Best Boy and Key Grip: David Pinkling
Best Stage Set and Cave: Sir Frank Lloyd-Pink
Best Screenplay in a Book: Moo-Moo Ya
Best Hats appearing in a Handbag: Trillip Bracey
Most Badly Behaved and Naughtiest Handbags NOT appearing at all: Bate Skade
Best Friends appearing in a Handbag...
For your consideration...
WINNER OF 5 GOLDEN HANDBAGS...
Now starring in a handbag near you...
THE HANDBAG FRIENDS!

Loud Millie

This is Emily. Who is quite small and rather loud. (And best of all, she's my niece.) She is also sometimes known as... Loud Millie.

Haven't yet met Loud Millie?

Meet her quick!
Click here!

Happy Valentine's Day

Painting by Ellie. Who, as well as being a brilliant artist, is also a brilliant writer (stay tuned) and also just happens to be my niece and the Big Sister behind HOW TO BE A BABY BY ME THE BIG SISTER.

Her painting is on the wall in front of my desk, along with all manner of other beautiful things to inspire me (paintings by my nieces and nephews, black and white photos of my nieces and nephew, excellent quotes from my nieces and nephews and other clever people).

Me, the Big Sister

This is Jonathan and his big sister Ellie. Aren't they scrumptdillyumptious? Yes they are! And they're also my niece and nephew and the brother and sister I based my new book on: HOW TO BE A BABY. And it's for Jonathan and Ellie I wrote it.

They read the book together last Christmas. And pointed at it. And laughed. For me, it was like seeing the book coming full circle. (They loved it that Sue's illustrations really do kind of look like them.)

Ellie (now 8) gave me her own review of the book: "I absolutely love How To Be A Baby By Me the Big Sister). (I love you even more.)"

What better review could a girl ever want?

NY FASHION WEEK: Exclusive interview with Bate Skade!

It's the Year of the Handbag. We're buying them. We're carrying them. We're talking about them. But do we know as much as we think? Where do they come from? What are they for?

The Queen of Handbags herself, Bate Skade, comes clean about where her handbags REALLY come from. Whose been stealing them. And more. Read it now! [>]

Now at last the Story can told. (Find out more [>]) And the Song sung. (Sing it quick! [>])

Why children's books?

Sometimes people ask me why children's books? And not mathematical text books? (Wait. No. They don't ask me that last one.)

One reason is this: I write children's books for me (since I haven't grown up yet). But there's another reason that you see here in this picture--it's because, basically, I've been hijacked.

By five little people who came into my life and took up residence in my heart. Here they are (three of them)--my nephews and nieces: Harry (top); Ellie (left); Olivia (right). (Emily and Jonathan hadn't arrived yet.)

What can I do? I can't help it. As you can see, I've been completely taken over. And I'm no longer my own.

It's magnificent.

PS 27 and Authors Read Aloud

Last week I visted PS 27 (this is us last year) with Authors Read Aloud and we read Handbag Friends and sang the Handbag Song and fought the Purple Monster and sang the song again and saved the day. It was all quite tiring. So then we read Time To Say Goodnight. And went to sleep. And had a little rest. And then I went home. A busy, lovely day. Thank you PS 27. You're the best!