The End

I recently published my first edited book,  Labor of Love: A Literary Mama Staff Anthology ,  with  Small Harbor Publishing . It's an anthology of writing from  Literary Mama  staff over the past 20 years. It's a beautiful collection and I am proud of the writers and proud to share the book.  It seems a fitting moment, as I pondered sharing about the book here on the blog, to reflect on my life as a blogger, and acknowledge that it is time to officially end this blog.   I started blogging in about 2007, when my baby was learning to toddle, when I was learning how to be a mother and stepmother, when I was just starting to see my way as a writer. I needed it back then. I craved it. I had a variety of blog iterations--family, art, creativity, writing things I delved into. There's a freedom in blogging, a casualness, an easy familiarity that's lacking (for me anyway) in other kinds of writing. I loved blogging and the words came pouring out.  Over the years since then, some
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Farmer George Plants a Nation

I took out Farmer George Plants a Nation from the library last week.  After hearing Peggy Thomas talk about her nonfiction writing a few months ago, I finally got around to checking out this book.

It is a nonfiction story about George Washington and his life as a farmer.  It touches on his military endeavours and his role as the first President, but focuses mostly on his farming work.  There is lots of information, including several pages of back matter for further learning, but it all is told as a flowing story. The artwork, by Layne Johnson, is stunningly gorgeous.

I read this to 5 year old Cedar, and while I did paraphrase some of the info, and gloss over other bits, he really liked it.  He was intrigued by George's inventions and impressed by the huge farm plantation. As we read it, I let him exclaim about stuff, or ask questions, mostly letting him guide the depth at which we went through it. It also opened up a space for discussion about bigger things.  Like war, slavery, and government.  Discussion about those is limited with a 5 year old, but Cedar is an open and good listener, and I was able to tell him a little bit about what those things mean, and what I believe.  I have no doubt we could read the story again and again, and he would learn a new fact, or the discussion would deepen as he grows.  For a little kid, because there are wonderful images to look at, the story becomes more real, and he can grasp it more fully. 

For an older kid in elementary school, or even middle school, this book becomes a history book.  A 4th grader could extract the facts, but not feel bored by a lifeless colorless textbook.  I really feel like this style of nonfiction picture book brings history to life for kids, in the best way possible.

In essence, this is what I want to make.  Picture books that tell a real story, are creatively captured by art, and can be enjoyed by any age.  It's a long process of working towards that, but I appreciate having a book like this that inspires.

Comments

Anonymous said…
My son would LOVE this book! I will check it out, thanks for the review!
January 27, 2012 at 3:00 PM
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