Entries by johnmanders

Listening to books

I’m a big audiobook fan.  While I stand and paint, or drive to out-of-town schools, I devour books by listening to them. Sally Alexander, a friend of mine through the western Pennsylvania chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators, wrote an inspiring piece about her love of audiobooks.

There’ll be some changes made

Okay, right now it doesn’t look like much.  Add a filing cabinet and it becomes an Edward Hopper painting.  But if I’m approved, this is the studio space I’ll be occupying beginning next month.  I need to move out of the dining room and into something different—a place where I can possibly train another younger […]

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Nibble Yer Greens!

For a truly rip-roaring sea-shanty singalong, you can’t beat this old buccaneer bunny favourite. Nautical rabbits have enjoyed this one for centuries, and can oft be heard belting out a chorus in lusty bunny voices (to the tune of Blow the Man Down): Oh, Buccaneer Bunnies roam o’er the salt seas— Yo-ho, nibble yer greens! […]

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For school librarians

In the March/April Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators Bulletin, Alexis O’Neill offers some tips for finding funding for school visits.  I can’t find an online version of the article, but she directs me to this link, which has some good information about organizing a school visit.

Bear Road Bookineers

If you happen to be in upstate New York this Thursday 3/18—please join me at Bear Road Elementary School in North Syracuse,  7:15-8:15  for Bear Road Bookineers Literature Night!  Don’t forget to wear your headscarf and eyepatch, by the powers!

A martini for Harriet

I’m going to deviate from my standard practice of avoiding adult topics in this blog—usually I keep it kid-friendly.  Today, however, I mention the name of an adult beverage. That’s because today is different.  The proprieties must be observed.  Today seven years ago my beautiful, clever, witty, passionate, fun, inspiring agent—Harriet Kasak—lost her battle with […]