an extremely urgent extra important message brought to you by this chatty baby

is this, do you think, what grown ups sound like to her?

purple monsters and reading to children

Came across this article, giving tips on how to read to children. It suggests that as important as what you read is how you read it. This has to be true doesn't it? I mean if you read it in a droning monotone, how fun will that be? Who wants to sit through that? You can make even the funniest book sound like a dirge if you set your mind to it. It's all in the delivery. It's a performance really and you must engage your audience and entertain them. Make them laugh not fall asleep. (Unless, of course, it's a magical sleepy book like this.) (WARNING about dramatic readings to children--if they are too little you could make them cry. Like I did once at a book festival. I was reading Handbag Friends--an adventure story disguised as a pink handbag--and warning the audience of the naughty purple monster coming up in the next bit and how maybe I shouldn't read it. A tiny girl screamed and ran to her mother wailing unconsolably and had to be carried out. I was mortified. I was sposed to be in the business of making children laugh--not scream in terror and run away. I now say "there's a scary bit but NOT REALLY" and scan the room for any too-scared too-tiny ones to smile at and reassure.) (Later the mum told me her daughter always does this at readings which made me feel less evil. A bit.) (If you want to meet the purple monster and you promise you're not too tiny and you won't scream and run away, you can see her in action here.)

save the date June!

if you're in NYC on Wednesday June 24th at 10AM come along for storytime at Barnes and Noble 150 East 86th Street (and 2nd Ave) and get your own personalized copy of two very important new books (we'd love to see you for some fun and laughs and very high jinks!):

• one tells you all about how to get hitched (or at least pretend to if you're only waist high) 

• and the other tells you all about how to behave (if you're a pig especially)

These are essential things to know. And you need to know them. (Don't you?) More info here.

how to get wedlocked

Just came across this new book "Wedlock," by Wendy Moore: about how a countess escaped a frightful violent dreadful awful marriage. Back in 1700 and something no less. The book is called Wedlock: The True Story of the Disastrous Marriage and Remarkable Divorce of Mary Eleanor Bowes, Countess of Strathmore and you can check out the review in the NYT here. It's not just the divorce that was remarkable. There's something else (for those who haven't guessed) which will make you want to read the book all the more. Or at least it does me. Clue: read to the end of the article. Other clue: she had the same greyish blue eyes.

review in WORLD MAGAZINE: do some cartwheels for joy

WORLD MAGAZINE in their June issue on stands now, reviewed How To Get Married... By Me, The Bride in with their serious reviews about other books on marriage. How cool are they? Very. (The book is proving a hit with real actual grown up brides to be as the ideal shower gift.) Thanks World Magazine and Susan Olasky! You can read the reviews here. They said: "With so much written about the troubles of marriage, it's refreshing to view it from the eyes of a 6-year-old. That's what Sally Lloyd-Jones, author of The Jesus Storybook Bible, gives us in How to Get Married by Me the Bride (Random House, 2009). Lloyd-Jones' cheeky prose and Sue Heap's lively illustrations combine in a delightful how-to book on marriage, chock full of good advice on choosing a mate. What advice, you ask? Here's a sample: "You can marry anyone you like! (Except they need to like you back.)" How about etiquette? "You have to be nice. For instance, no one will want to marry you if you - gobble up all their candy and never offer them any." And advice on proper love talk: "From now on, you say, 'Sweetheart, where are you, My Sweetheart?' And after the ceremony: "You have to yell, 'Hooray!' and then do some cartwheels for joy." Something brides and grooms would do well to remember.

Cicadas on the dot

It's hard to believe this tiny insect is the one making the biggest noise at night. But here's something even odder. Did you know ... cicadas live for either 13 or 17 years? Exactly. On the dot. But how? And why? No one knows. Why do they live only in prime numbers–(numbers divisible only by themselves and the number 1.) (I knew that) How do they know their time is up? Is it up to them? Scientists have got some guesses of course. They're very complicated so you'd better read them for yourself in this clever article. But something about this makes me feel joyous and calm. There is an order and a pattern and a plan. Down to the tiniest detail. Even for teeniest tiniest insect.

music and sounds

The genius jazz trumpeter and composer, Dizzy Gillespie (1917-1993) said, "I don't care too much about music. What I like is sounds."

The lost art of reading aloud

Great Editorial in NYT by VERLYN KLINKENBORG. (Though Children's books I would add to poetry as the other realm where reading aloud has not died out. And I trust it never will.)