Bailey Fish Adventures

twitter

2012-01-03T11:51:00.000-08:00

I'm all a twitter. Have joined the world of tweets @lindasalisbury.

Great radio show

2011-12-28T09:41:00.000-08:00

I thoroughly enjoyed visiting with Steve West, my son Christopher Grotke, and Lise LePage today about my books and Chris' influence on content and illustrations. He is featured in several chapters of "But You Don't Look Funny," and also inspired some events in "Mother's: A novel of hoarding, friending and mischief," plus he illustrated a number of my children's books. Fun interview. Have a listen.

http://1490wkvt.com/play_window.php?audioType=Episode&audioId=5614988

New Web site

2011-11-28T13:48:00.000-08:00

Now that I have books for all ages, I have a new Web site that provides information about the books for adults and kids. Visit www.lindasalisburyauthor.com to learn more, especially about my new books for grownups. Great for holiday giving as e-book or print. And check out my authorlindasalisbury page on Facebook.

Another award

2011-11-06T09:29:00.000-08:00

We're delighted to announce that Treasure in Sugar's Book Barn, Book 8 in the Bailey Fish Adventure series garnered a silver medal in the prestigious Moonbeam Children's Book awards for pre-teen fiction. The medal is somewhere in the mail, but we hope it will arrive before Linda visits Byrd Elementary School in Goochland this week to talk about POWER writing with grades three to five during Literacy Day. Each child is being given one of her books by the school. Very exciting.

More books

2011-08-12T05:56:00.000-07:00

Been a while since I checked in because we've been so busy with Author Linda Salisbury on Facebook. The big news is that little by little the Bailey Fish Adventure series are becoming available in Kindle and Nook, and Linda's new collection of humor, But You Don't Look Funny, is also on Kindle and Nook and soon will be off press. The chapters come from columns she wrote for 22 years primarily in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune but also the Punta Gorda Herald. Laugh aloud reading for the whole family. Topics include the dreaded fruitcake, Mad Cat Disease, the Red Light Fairy, dealing with clutter (or not dealing with it), eating library paste, cooking mishaps, dieting, pets, travel, Sanibel, learning the viola and so much more about kids, marriage and life.

Treasure in Sugar's Book Barn

2010-10-29T07:35:00.000-07:00

I'm happy to announce that book 8 in the Bailey Fish Adventure series is available and can be ordered online at places such as Amazon.com. Carol Tornatore's cover is spectacular, and the plot, involving bookstores and books, should have great appeal to readers of all ages.

You may also want to read about another book success. Our daughter Abigail Grotke was asked to write Miss Abigail's Guide to Dating, Mating, and Marriage based on advice contained in her large collection of etiquette and advice books going back more than 100 years. Ken Davenport and Sarah Saltzberg created a stage show by the same name and it opened officially last weekend at Downstairs at Sofia's Off-Broadway. We saw it twice in Florida in June, and twice last weekend, including the exciting opening night attended by Dr. Ruth. Abbie's delightful book has been reissued by WooHer Press and is also available online. And the reviews are popping up everywhere, including this one in Canadian papers.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5g8-DsBlHCVMyudXV85Eq--nsYZhA?docId=4965710

Books win more awards

2010-10-14T05:25:00.000-07:00

I'm happy to announce that Trouble in Contrary Woods, book 6 in the Bailey Fish Adventure series, and Mudd Saves the Earth, tied for second place as silver medal winners in the Florida Publishers Association's 2010 awards for best children's fiction. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to attend the gathering last weekend in Florida, but am delighted with the announcement by Betsy Lampe, FPA executive director.
"Trouble" contains some of my favorite characters and themes, and "Mudd," with its focus on what kids can do to save the earth is fun reading with a message. Trouble was also a finalist in the Eric Hoffer book contest this year. Both books join the other award-winners in the series. But, beyond the awards, what means the most to me is how much readers love the books. I'm already being hounded about when the next--book 8 in the series--will be released.

Treasure off to press

2010-10-01T06:26:00.001-07:00

Book 8 in my Bailey Fish Adventure Series is finally off to press. Titled, Treasure in Sugar's Book Barn, the story picks up where book 7 leaves off and is filled with surprises--the nature of the mysterious treasure, visitors to Keswick Inn and Sugar's new bookstore, and more. At the moment I think this could be the last book in the series, but the door is always open for more. We'll see. Meanwhile, books 6 and Mudd Saves the Earth are up for prices in the Florida Publishers Association book awards that will be announced next week. Always an honor.

Grandma Camp

2010-07-28T06:28:00.000-07:00

I was recently invited to Grandma Camp in a Lake Anna subdivision. Four grandmother organize activities for about a week each summer and bring their combined ten grandchildren to the lake. Aside from outdoor activities, they have crafts, field trips (Lake Anna State Park to try panning for gold) and a mystery guest (you guessed it, me!). So I brought my mysterious green suitcase and the red hat box answered questions about my books, read a few sections and had a ball!

Bailey Fish ad from a fan

2010-07-07T03:58:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite fans, Tiana, sent me this as an ad for my books. It made me want to re-read all of them!
How Much I Enjoy Your Books...

Okay, say your bored one day, and there is absolutely nothing to do... You can just grab a Bailey Fish book! And that's not all! You can log onto the computer and type in; www.baileyfishadventures.com/. But wait... I'm still not done... If you wanted, you could even start in the middle of the book and still understand everything. This is one of those types of books where you can finish it cover to cover, then read it again, without boredom!

If I don't have anything to read, it's easy! Just grab a Bailey Fish book by Linda Salisbury, and

Read On!

Been busy

2010-06-27T11:46:00.000-07:00

It's easier to update Facebook (author Linda Salisbury) most weeks, then to also remember to do the blog. It's been a busy spring. A daughter's wedding, a trip to Tampa to see the wonderful, very funny stage show, Miss Abigail's Guide to Dating, Mating and Marriage, which is inspired by our daughter's book by the same name. Her book is based on her collection of old etiquette and advice books that go back more than 100 years, so the advice is funny, timely or outdated, depending on the situation.
Back home again, I've finished the first draft of book 8 in the Bailey Fish Adventure series, and hope to have at least a sneak preview version by fall. Lots of editing left to do.

Eric Hoffer finalist

2010-05-10T05:10:00.000-07:00

We are thrilled that "Trouble in Contrary Woods," book 6 in the Bailey Fish Adventure series, was a finalist in the 2010 Eric Hoffer awards contest. According to the site, "After our rigorous first round of judging, less than 10% of the titles become category finalists. We consider this a distinction of its own merit." What is especially pleasing is that Hoffer, a thinker and author, often wrote about the importance of self-esteem, which is an underlying theme of my books. Each of the first six books has received a national award or honor.

School visits

2010-03-19T04:50:00.000-07:00

I really enjoyed my visit to West Elementary in Andover, Mass., last week. It was part of the schools 15 annual festival that brings writers, storytellers and authors to the school. Besides the presentations to classes, the authors were invited to have lunch with a small group of students and we had a great discussion about writing.

My next big program is at Rivers Edge Elementary near Richmond. The school is focusing on "The Mysterious Jamestown Suitcase" between now and when I come to the school with my green suitcase.

Spring

2010-03-08T04:54:00.000-08:00

I visited with Bailey and Sugar yesterday afternoon when the temperature was almost sixty. Bailey showed me that the tulips she had planted last fall were three inches out of the ground and that the lilacs had swollen buds that looked like they would burst. She thought it was funny that snow was still melting on the porch roof even though the day was warm enough to sit outside. The biggest pile of snow left in her front yard was where she made a huge snow cat last month after the blizzard. Bailey thinks it will never melt.

The Mysterious Green Suitcase

2010-03-03T11:08:00.000-08:00

I will be taking the mysterious green suitcase with me when I visit West Elementary School in Andover, Mass., next week as part of their 15th annual reading and writing festival. The contents do change, but here is a look inside today's case. I'm delighted to be participating at the festival and look forward to sharing the Bailey Fish Adventure series with everyone.

Emu eggs

2010-02-24T13:53:00.001-08:00

Emus and eggs

2010-02-24T13:45:00.000-08:00

When I was working on Bailey Fish Adventure book 7 (Captain Calliope and the Great Goateenies) I visited with the Andersons at their farm where we get our wonderful brown eggs. They let me watch their pigs and goats and take pictures for the backmatter of the book. We've become friends and Brenda shares with me what else is going on at the farm, including emus and eggs that the female named Julie has laid. The eggs are green and quite heavy. The Andersons haven't decided if they will let one hatch or just keep them for display. Quite impressive.
Don't forget to become a fan of Author Linda Salisbury for more frequent postings.

Tons of snow

2010-02-13T04:02:00.000-08:00

Bailey is very excited about the large snowfalls we've had during the past couple of weeks in Virginia. When she first moved here from Florida in the winter, there were only a few flurries. This year, she measured a total of more than three feet of snow, maybe four feet, since December's blizzard. And more is on the way. She asked Sugar to take pictures of her next to a pile in the driveway to send to her mother in Costa Rica. Bailey said that the snow is a great adventure. Sugar showed her how to make snow angels, and they made a large snow cat together.

Bailey Fish and books

2010-01-28T11:38:00.000-08:00

Bailey and her grandmother, Sugar, decided to have a reading contest. They're seeing who can read the most books in the month of March. Bailey is looking for suggestions about good books that kids her age are reading. What do you recommend?

Meanwhile, visit me on Facebook--Author Linda Salisbury. The fan club is growing.

Linda

Bailey Fish and birds

2010-01-20T13:05:00.000-08:00

Bailey Fish has been enjoying feeding the birds at Sugar's bird feeders. Her cats, Shadow and Sallie, sit in the window and thrash their tails when the finches, nuthatches, chickadees and cardinals land and eat the seeds. Doves generally flock on the ground. Sugar doesn't mind that the squirrels dangle from the trees to get to the feeders, but doesn't like it when they spill all the seed, Bailey told me. They think another storm may be coming because the birds have been very hungry today.

Don't forget to look for Author Linda Salisbury on Facebook for other updates on what's happening with the Bailey Fish Adventures and other activities.

Facebook fan club growing

2010-01-08T11:15:00.000-08:00

Don't forget to become a fan of Author Linda Salisbury on Facebook. I'm trying to keep up all all these sites and still work on book 8.

We had more snow last night--enough to cover the ground until the sun hit it late morning. I did take a walk and listened to the winter sounds of my snow crunching, trees loudly rubbing against each other, and I noticed the types of snow that had fallen. Some were the usual soft flakes, and others were like candy dots. I had to walk on grass because the road was slippery. Bailey is worried about her friends in Florida. They aren't used to the cold and a lot of their plants may be damaged. She wonders about the orange tree in the yard where she used to live.

Snow for Bailey

2009-12-23T04:36:00.000-08:00

I can understand why Bailey was excited by her first big snow storm. She's never really seen deep snow before. It meant we had to cancel two booksignings, but she helped shovel snow and the Keswicks used their tractor plow to help us clear our driveways. Sugar and Bailey baked cookies during the storm and brought me some on Monday when the roads were passable. Bailey also made this snow kitty and sent the picture to her mother, Molly, who is still in Costa Rica.

Merry Christmas from all of us, and enjoy Captain Calliope and the Great Goateenies, the newest Bailey Fish Adventure.

Booksigning at Jabberwocky

2009-12-11T07:35:00.000-08:00

Here are some upcoming signings for last-minute shoppers, or you can order the Bailey Fish Adventure series, plus Mudd Saves the Earth, online.

I'll be at Elk Creek store, on Kentucky Springs Road, in Mineral from 11 to 1 (it's going to be a cold one, Saturday, Dec. 12, and at Jabberwocky Children's bookstore, 810 Caroline St. in Fredericksburg from noon to 2 p.m on Sunday, Dec. 20.

Autographed books make great presents--I treasure them myself. Kids love to read series, so this is a good opportunity to get them started. As readers know, my books are sequential, but they can be read in any order if that's how you happen to pick them up. And they go well with Christmas cookies!

2009-12-08T12:40:00.000-08:00

http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2009/122009/12082009/512877

Here is a very nice mention of my new book "Captain Calliope and the Great Goateenies" by Caroline Parr, librarian and columnist.

All my books are available at Jabberwocky, one of my very favorite children's bookstores, and as of this week Captain Calliope is also available online. Visit my Web site, www.baileyfishadventures.com and click on the ordering links to Amazon.com

Advent Calendar

2009-12-08T04:00:00.000-08:00

I want to share my son, Christopher's wonderful animated advent calendar. This year it incorporates the history of his town of Brattleboro, Vermont. Each day adds new activity, and you'll get a glimpse of fun things that he and Lise LePage have gathered for the calendar. Readers will also recognize his name as illustrator of many of the Bailey Fish books.

http://www.ibrattleboro.com/media/christmas.html

Read Books!

2009-12-01T13:12:00.000-08:00

When we took the Virginia Railway Express to Washington, D.C., I smiled when I read graffiti spray-painted on the wall of one of the Northern Virginia train stations. Mind you, I don't like vandalism of any sort, and graffiti is a form of vandalism and usually it is vulgar and has gang messages. But, this had a positive message, which made me wonder about who would do it. It read: Read Books.

So, the message was good, even if it was wrong to paint it on a wall.
It reminded me that is a good time to think of giving books for the holidays. My mother always purchased books for everyone in the family early in the year, read them carefully, then wrapped them up as gifts. I like to read the books I'm giving away, too. Lot's of people are giving the Bailey Fish Adventures for Christmas gifts and I've still have autographed orders to fill and book signings to do before Dec. 25. My oldest grandchildren, Ally and David, went with me to a booksigning at Jabberwocky bookstore in Fredericksburg last Saturday. As part of their Christmas presents from Grampa and me, they each picked out books.

Booksignings and more

2009-11-13T13:35:00.000-08:00

What a busy season! I'm looking forward to my visit at Barrett Elementary in Stafford on Wednesday to talk with fourth and fifth-graders. Meanwhile, sixth-grade students at St. Timothy's are selling the Bailey Fish series as a fund-raiser. I'm going to be at Marshall Farm Corners in Unionville next Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; at a homeschool night at Jabberwocky in Fredericksburg f rom 6 to 8:30 p.m. on the 19th, and back at Jabberwocky on Friday, Nov. 27, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Everybody is filling out their sets and buying the new book!

Florida Library Association

2009-10-15T14:51:00.000-07:00

http://flalib.blogspot.com/
Here's the announcement of the awards posted on the Florida Library Association's blog. We're also excited that "Captain Calliope and the Great Goateenies" is off press.

Florida Publishers Association awards

2009-09-28T11:36:00.001-07:00

What a thrill! "The Mysterious Jamestown Suitcase" was the gold medal winner in the FPA's President's Book Awards in the Best Children's Fiction category, and "Ghost of the Chicken Coop Theater" earned a silver medal in the same contest. Florida librarians were the judges. We were able to attend the banquet in Sarasota and saw many friends, including Betsy Lampe, executive director of FPA, and Frank Gromling, past president. The Jamestown book is also a bronze medalist in the 2007 Moonbeam awards contest and ForeWord magazine finalist.

Florida Publishers Association awards

2009-09-28T11:36:00.000-07:00

What a thrill! "The Mysterious Jamestown Suitcase" was the gold medal winner in the FPA's President's Book Awar

Bailey Fish awards

2009-09-21T12:33:00.000-07:00

Exciting news. "The Mysterious Jamestown Suitcase" and "Ghost of the Chicken Coop Theater" are both finalists in the Florida Publishers Association President's Book Awards, with results to be announced Saturday night at a banquet in Sarasota. Bailey and Sugar can't be there because of a band concert (Bailey has a solo), but Jim and I will attend.

Chik-fil-A family night

2009-09-16T06:18:00.000-07:00

I had lots of fun last night as the author asked to read with the cow at the Massaponnax Chik-fil-A family night. Met many nice families and read one of my favorite books, "Cappuccina Goes to Town," by Mary Ann Smith and Katie Smith Milway, and Eugenie Fernandes, to the little kids. It is a favorite of my granddaughter, Iris. And the cow colored a picture for me and signed his name so I can put it on the refrigerator.

Walker Brothers Circus

2009-09-07T07:20:00.000-07:00

Sugar, Bailey, and my friend Julie went to the Walker Brothers Circus in Mineral yesterday, and it was incredibly wonderful. I think the acts would easily win on America's Got talent. It is one of those one-ring shows in the finest of American circus traditions, with ponies, a fabulous dog act, kids who were excellent at jugglin and acrobatics, and hilarious clown routines. If you can see the show, do so.

Fox

2009-09-02T13:43:00.000-07:00

Bailey called last night after she and Sugar came home from an afterschool boat ride. They had putted into a little cove and thought they saw a yellow cat sunning itself on a grassy spot near the water. When they got closer, they realized it was a fox. The fox jumped up and bounded away, and then Bailey thought she saw a second fox chasing after it. It was the first time she had seen any so close.

Bailey's also very excited that book 7, "Captain Calliope and the Great Goateenies" has gone to press. She really likes the Goateenies. This weekend she, Sugar, and all the Keswicks are going to a little circus in Mineral. It's not the one that Captain Calliope joined, at least that's what he told. You never know what could happen, I told her.

NAIWE interview

2009-08-20T05:36:00.000-07:00

Jim and I had a lovely interview yesterday with Janice Campbell, director of the National Association of Independent Writers and Editors and recommend checking out this organization for membership and free information. Our interview about publishing will also be posted there.

Networking is an essential part of success. Tabby House is also members of IBPA and FPA and other groups. Even with seven children's books doing very well, we always are able to learn something from the experiences of others in the field.

http://naiwe.com/

Sugar saw red-headed woodpeckers on a dogwood tree in her backyard today. One was a male parent feeding a youngster. That was a new nature treat, she told us.

NAIWE

2009-08-19T06:21:00.000-07:00

Author Linda Salisbury and her husband, Jim, will be interviewed today by NAIWE. They will be talking about successfully publishing books. Tune in by visiting NAIWE's site.

In other news, Bailey saw a deer standing next to Sugar's asparagus patch last Saturday, in the middle of the day. She was afraid the doe was planning to have asparagus for lunch, so she shouted, "What do you think you're doing?" Bailey said the deer just stared at her. So Bailey went out the screen door and walked pretty close before the deer decided to run into the woods. She also saw a family of skunks walking across the road. The mother and babies walked so closely together that they looked like one big black and white ball of fur.

Book 7

2009-06-12T09:21:00.000-07:00

I'm happy to report that book 7 is coming along nicely and should be available for the holiday season. It's titled "Captain Calliope and the Great Goateenies" and wait until you learn about the goateenies. Bailey and her friends are having lots of fun with them. There are also some scary parts involving Sparrow, and even Bailey when she goes to a slumber party.

I'm giving a talk tomorrow at the Louisa Historical Society, 10:30 a.m. See you there.

Manatee Cow Grass and Loggerhead

2009-06-02T10:03:00.000-07:00

Bailey, Sugar, and I are enjoying our morning walks on Sanibel beach. We've had several surprises, as always. A few days ago the warm Gulf washed up mounds of something called Manatee Cow sea grass, which looks like little pieces of pasta. So far it doesn't smell bad. Then, this morning, we saw that a sea turtle had come ashore during the night, dragged herself over the sand, sea grass and up a ledge to dig an hole and lay her eggs. Won't hatch until September if they survive the waves and weather. But it was exciting to see. Bailey picked up a lot of goldies to take back to Virginia to show Noah and Fred what the goldies look like. We're staying longer, but they fly home on Friday.

Every day the beach is different. New types of shells. The waves come from from a different direction. The tide is farther in or out. It's wonderful.

Richmond homeschool convention

2009-05-21T06:40:00.000-07:00

We hope to see a lot of you this weekend at the huge homeschool convention at the Science Museum. Tabby House will have a booth and I'll be autographing and discussing my books. Homeschools tell me how valuable the books are because they combine literature and history, and sometimes a little science. Parents like the discussion questions and activities available through the teacher's guides. See you there!

Bailey Fish book 7

2009-05-11T14:33:00.000-07:00

There's been a big delay in blogging. We've been moving, painting, cleaning and setting up libraries and computers. And, I've been working on book 7 and trying to keep my 20-pound cat, Rover, from typing his own chapters. He's got a paw on the keyboard right now, so you may get a strange message. Spring is wonderful in Virginia, especially on the days it isn't raining. Bailey and Sugar planted tomatoes before we did, and their beets and lettuce are already up. We planted many types of squash, tomatoes, parsnips, and asparagus, but that won't be ready to eat for three years. Our new yard is surrounded by trees and I feel like I'm wearing a cloak of green when I step outside. It's wonderful. Will be glad when it gets warmer and stays warmer. Now, back to work on book 7.

Crestwood and Trevilians

2009-03-18T05:32:00.000-07:00

Recently, I've had two wonderful school visits. One was at Trevlians Elementary School, in Louisa, where I spent the day talking to classes about writing and researching my books. Students from Mrs. Breen's class later sent me letters, which I have answered individually. They said they appreciated the tips on writing, such as using strong verbs.

Then yesterday, I was at Crestwood Elementary School in Chesterfield, Va., as part of a writing week. The Target Company gave them a grant to purchase copies of The Mysterious Jamestown Suitcase and to give a copy to each family to read together. I talked to all students in two sessions (the kids were great and had good questions), then again in the evening to a large gathering of families. Again, the questions were wonderful. One parent said she appreciated the way I worked in that families are all different--not the traditional two-parent model--so that kids could relate to the books. Little Jake, a kindergartener, told me before the program started that he was there for the ice cream, and hoped that I wouldn't talk too long. Unfortunately, he had to wait. There were lots of questions.

Both schools were warm and caring. Thanks, everyone.

Snow

2009-03-13T05:12:00.001-07:00

I'm enjoying watching a light snow fall from the office in our new house. We don't live far from our old one, but it is more of a drive to see Sugar and Bailey now. They are coming over for dinner tonight and Sugar is bringing one of her famous peach pies. Bailey hopes she can see the deer that come in our backyard. I saw them last week, the night we moved in. The glided out of the woods, sniffed the bird feeders, and the doe had a sip of water from the bird bath. I haven't seen them since, but they have accepted the apples we tossed out for them.

The snow is pretty, but I'm really ready for spring.

Readers' ideas

2009-02-17T11:53:00.000-08:00

A group of students associated with the Ladysmith Library in Caroline County recently read "Ghost of the Chicken Coop Theater" and has been corresponding with me about it. They wanted to be characters in my next book. I asked them what type of character they would be. Their answers made me smile.

Kaitlin said, "My name would be Emily Stowers, and I want to be in the middle of mean and nice, and I want glasses and a dog the kind is a yorky, so cute!!! Anyway, I love your book and have a great day."

Addison wrote, "I want to be a street racer who is protectful. I want to . . . have red spikey hair with black highlights. Car to look like . . . to have blue flames with the engine sticking out. A Lamborginni. A dog named spot."

Kirby said," I want to be a girl. She has long blond har, a lime green Mini Cooper, and I wood be good. My name wood be coco."

Grace wrote, "I would like to be an adventurous problem solver named Alex. I would like to have brown hair and my favorite color would be camoflage. I want it to be in the present time. I want to be rich, with no job, with a Camo Eclipse. I want to have a jack russel dog named Buster."

Morgan said, "The character I would like to have my different name. Rosey Elizabif Collins. Shady and nice/mean. Light blond hair with black and red high lights. "

Micheal said, "My character would have the same name. I will be happy and mad. I'd have blond hair. I would be a wrestler and also be strong and I'd have a nusky named spike. Oh and he is a boy with blue and green eyes. P.S. the Dog would be nice to good people and mean to bad people."

I think their ideas are wonderful and have actually changed the spelling of one of my characters in book seven from Cocoa to Coco.

CPSIA means new Dark Ages for American children

2009-01-09T04:21:00.000-08:00

Everyone who loves books and reading must immediately contact Congress, the Obamas, and the Bushes, to urge a stay of execution for children's books. As of Feb. 10, books for ages 12 and under, may not be sold unless they are tested for lead under a new consumer product safety law. This includes chapter books, such as my Bailey Fish Adventures and my new book, which just came off press, called "Mudd Saves the Earth: Booger Glue, Cow Diapers, and Other Good Ideas." As readers know, these books promote environmental awareness and good stewardship. They are printed by an excellent book manufacturer in Illinois. The law makes no distinction between American-manufactured books and junk toys or products made oversees. It relates to everyone and everything designed for children. Think about it? Cereal boxes? Happy Meal containers? Playground equipment?

The law, although well-intentioned, is absurd for many reasons.
1. The time frame. The law was signed by the president in August and takes effect Feb. 10, and we first heard about it this week when we received a notice from Amazon.com to test or else.
2. Nobody can tell us the cost or how to go about it. That includes the CPSC. Their hotline said to e-mail the. I did, but no response. And I've had no response so far from my senators, Congressman, the Obama transition team or the White House. And meanwhile, time is running out.
3. The law is well intentioned--to save young children from nasty chemicals--but what's to keep a book-eating toddler from "eating" his parent's dictionary, or his mother's novel after he chews one one of my books? Yet adult books are exempt from testing. Frankly, he is more likely to be harmed by second-, or third-hand smoke in his environment, and that still is widely available to all.
4. The bill will be costly, not only to authors and publishers, but to libraries and schools, who apparently must test their children's collections or remove them from shelves. You see, in its wisdom, drafters of the bill made it retroactive. So, it doesn't just apply to new products, produced or printed after Feb. 10, but to everything already in collections.

I hope sanity is restored and not lost in the inauguration frenzy. If you love books, act now. Literacy depends on it. We don't want to return to the Dark Ages and book burning.

Happy New Year

2008-12-31T08:04:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year from Bailey Fish, Sugar, the Keswick family, Sparrow, Elmo and Feather Phigg, Justin, Fern and all the folks in the series, including me. And Mudd, Art, Pie, Uncle Foozle, Auntie Pine and Marshmallow also say hi, and do green things for Mother Earth.

We are looking forward to more school visits and opportunities to meet readers. Book 7 is in the works and it already has some pretty exciting moments. Lots more work to do before it comes out.

We received nice notes from kids attending the Ladysmith Baptist Academy. They are reading Ghost of the Chicken Coop Theater and are acting out several chapters. Apparently Li'l Bonbon is an especially fun character to portray.

Keep reading, studying, playing music, and finding kind things to do for others.

Sugar's cookies

2008-12-14T13:53:00.001-08:00

Sugar, Bailey and I made Christmas cookies today from her favorite sugar cookie recipe, which we printed on page 184 of my new book, Trouble in Contrary Woods. After we finished decorating the angels, trees, cats, snowflakes, bells and snowmen, I heard Sugar exclaim, "My goodness me. I forgot to include the baking temperature ion the recipe. What will people think?" She was very embarrassed.
Bailey said, "Sugar, in the old days, everything was baked in brick ovens with fires for heat and they couldn't set the temperature. Remember we learned that at Monticello?"
Sugar said, "I guess you're right. When we made macaroni pudding from a Monticello cookbook recipe last summer we had to guess at how people would do it in today's electric or gas ovens."
Bailey said, "Let's guess at the temperature for the cookies."
Sugar said, "My guess is that 350 degrees for about ten minutes is right."
So, we tried our first sheet and it worked out pretty well. And her cookies were delicious as usual. After we made about 10 sheets of cookies (eating a few each time we took them out of the oven) we also made spice cookies. There were other cookies we planned to make, but Sugar had yard work to do before it got dark. We packed up half the cookies for her and Bailey to take home. They said they would invite me to their house next week to make more so we have plenty to share with friends and neighbors.
Bailey, Sugar and the Keswicks plan to go caroling next Tuesday night. We might join them.

Bullish on animals

2008-10-29T12:55:00.000-07:00

Bailey Fish isn't the only one having adventures. Last week I was driving to see friends when I noticed that a large bull was standing next to the busy road. It would have been fine if there had been a fence between him and the traffic. But he was right by the edge and I was worried about him and other motorists. So I stopped and went to the farmhouse door. A woman answered after hearing my shouts of, "Your bull is by the road." She opened the door a crack and said, "That isn't the issue." I thought it was the issue. I looked at the bull out by the street. He was scratching his back on a tree. She went on to tell me that her issue was that there was a hole in the fence and he kept getting out. She closed the door, and I presumed she was going outside from another door to rescue her bull. I moved my van alongside the big animal and put my hazard lights on to alert other motorists. The bull apparently heard his owner calling and ambled back to the barn. A few days later, friends and I returned and with her permission fixed several holes in the fence.
My husband and I always stop to rescue turtles in the road, but this was the first time we had to rescue a bull. He's a nice fellow, by the way.

The Reading Tub

2008-10-25T14:19:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite review sites is The Reading Tub. Reviews are thoughtful and thorough, and then books are given to kids to read. Here's the latest review--of The Wild Women of Lake Anna, the first in my adventure series. But check out the entire site!

http://www.thereadingtub.com/displayBook.asp?id=1370

It's a silver!

2008-09-17T09:49:00.000-07:00

I'm delighted to announce that "No Sisters Sisters Club," book 2 in my Bailey Fish Adventure series, took a silver in the best children's fiction division of the recent Florida Publishers Association contest. I was really sorry that we couldn't make the awards ceremony because the organization itself is so wonderful, but it's a long drive from Virginia.

This is the first time this book has been entered in a contest and people really like it! It will go for a second printing very soon.

Trouble in Contrary Woods

2008-08-28T10:35:00.000-07:00

The sixth book in the Bailey Fish Adventures is ready to go to the reviewers. Many reviewers want us to send them "bound galleys" instead of the finished book so they can read the book before it is released to the public. The bound galleys often look like the real book, but we may still find errors that need to be corrected before it goes to press. Book 6 is titled Trouble in Contrary Woods. In it, Bailey's cousin Duck arrives. He's a city boy who doesn't like country living, even for two weeks. He's afraid of bugs and not happy that Sugar has dialup instead of hi-speed Internet.
Although Duck seems bored with Bailey's activities and her friends, it turns out that he likes to invent things. This is handy because the Keswick twins are puzzled by trouble in the woods, and mysterious messages left on a stump. They enlist Duck's help in designing a trap to catch the "monster."
Meanwhile, Bailey learns about President Thomas Jefferson's favorite foods and his inventive mind. She and her grandmother learn more him when they visit his home, Monticello.
I'll let you know when the book is available. I know you'll want to read all about the "trouble" and the mysteries.

Great news for No Sisters Sisters Club and Wild Women

2008-08-01T12:47:00.000-07:00

Bailey and Sugar and I are celebrating two wonderful things that happened today. First, we found out that book 2 in the Bailey Fish Adventure series is a finalist in the Florida Publishers Associations book awards. It will receive at least silver, and hopefully gold when the awards are announced in Florida. If you are an author or publisher, consider joining this terrific organization and attending seminars. You don't have to live in Florida to be a member.

And secondly, when we opened the Rappahannock Coop's Cooperative Living magazine today--the August issue, we discovered a terrificl review of "The Wild Women of Lake Anna," and a mention of the the series. Thank you!

Reader Views interview

2008-07-21T12:18:00.000-07:00

One of the benefits of getting acquainted (via the Internet) with Irene Watson at Readerviews.com was her invitation for me and my husband, Jim, to be interviewed by authorsaccess.com. You can listen to the podcast by clicking on the below link.
http://authorsaccess.com/archives/107

We enjoyed talking with Victor and Tyler. Readerviews is also a great resource for authors and publishers. Check them out.

Linda

Busy summer

2008-07-16T06:02:00.000-07:00

With lots of rain this year, we've been able to enjoy boating on Lake Anna. We've gone swimming in the warm waters, fished once (didn't get a nibble, but that's okay), and watched the fireworks from the boat.

Our gardens are filled with daylillies and daisies and we've enjoyed the first tiny tomatoes and cucumbers.

I've watched woodpeckers and bluejays feeding their youngsters, and flying squirrels have once again moved into one of the bluebird houses.

I've also had some wonderful book programs, with more to come. A few weeks ago I spoke at two sessions at the Ladysmith library in nearby Caroline County. The volunteers supporting the library are an especially dedicated and wonderful bunch. The group raised much of the funds for the library and continue to making the library a vibrant place for readers of all ages.

This Saturday I'll have a table at the St. Jude festival in Louisa and am setting up school programs for the coming year. Hearing from so many people about how much they love the series makes my day.

And, we'll be interviewed tomorrow night by Irene Watson on her Readerviews radio show out of Austin. Irene has a terrific Web site, by the way: Readerviews.com. I first heard about it last year at the September Florida Publishers Association meeting.

Th Reading Tub

2008-05-09T10:46:00.000-07:00

http://www.thereadingtub.com/displayBook.asp?id=1261

Check out the above link! It's a neat review service that gives the reviewed books to kids who need them. I met Terry at the Virginia Festival of the Book in March and am delighted with the review of No Sisters Sisters Club. I hope you enjoy it, too.

Author Visits

2008-04-25T06:16:00.000-07:00

I'm delighted that my series is included on this Web site so that schools and around the state (and nation) are aware that I'm available for classroom presentations.

http://www.authorvisitsbystate.com

This past month has been very gratifying in terms of school visits and student responses. I've been to a home-school group in Stafford, Jouett Elementary in Louisa County, St. Timothy in Chantilly, and will be at St. Lawrence in Shelton, Conn., next week. Meriwether Lewis in Ivy was loads of fun as part of the Virginia Festival of the Book last month, as were my two days at Stafford Middle as author of the year. In May, we will be at a home-school convention in Williamsburg

The Teacher's Guides are now available for The Mysterious Jamestown Suitcase, and No Sisters Sisters Club.

Great review from Reader Views

2008-04-12T13:28:00.000-07:00

I have been delighted to be reviewed by Reader Views--a review service that let's youngsters review books for their age groups. What they say is very important to authors and other readers. Yesterday, we received this review by Brianne Plach (age 10) for Reader Views. Thank you, Brianne. You did a wonderful job!

Ghost of the Chicken Coop Theater (Bailey Fish Adventures)

Summer is almost here! What do you plan to do with all your summer days and nights? Bailey, Fred and Noah have come up with an idea for how they could make their summer fun and get extra credit for their home-school at the same time. Let’s change the old chicken coop into a theater! Sparrow is a friend of theirs who wants to be a part of the production even though she is forced to be in a wheelchair. Noah and Fred are Bailey’s adopted brothers. Sugar lives with her grandmother because neither of her parents care about her.

Their dad offers to help them convert the chicken coop into a theater, as long as they help with
fixing it up for rehearsals and the production of the play. After all, they still have to do their regular chores. The play should have some history in it since there are a lot of ghosts in the history of their area. But the kids also like space adventures. They enlist the help of Dr Robinson, who helps them with a delightful and entertaining story. They came up with the idea of charging admission because they wanted to raise money for the chickens. They brainstorm their own ideas for a play and are given an old trunk full of costumes. It looks like they might have their own production after all.

Donise and Bean check into the Keswick Inn. Donise goes by the name of Li’l Bonbon and is
immediately intrigued by the children’s goals. However, since she was a child actress she decides
that she needs to be the #1 director. She even rips up the script that the kids worked so hard to
develop. Li’l Bonbon is brutally mean to all the cast members and certainly HATES Clover, Noah
and Fred’s dog. Li’l BonBon walks off in a huff. Will the production be put together by the end of
summer? One of the kids thinks that they can drive, but end up in the lake and need a rescue. Is
there a reason why Bailey's last name is Fish?

“Ghost of the Chicken Coop Theater” is a great story. It uses some historical facts along with a
great storyline. It shows kids who have an imagination for their own fun. It also serves as a lesson on how to deal with a bully, even if the bully is an adult. I loved this book and didn’t want to set it down until I was completely finished. “Ghost of the Chicken Coop Theater” will have you cackling with laughter from start to finish.

Books and readers

2008-04-07T10:02:00.000-07:00

We had a lovely dinner the other night with a very special fan of the Bailey Fish Adventure series--Tiana from Blacksburg, her parents and grandparents.

Tiana and her dad have been writing me for about a year now and she tells me that the Bailey Fish books are her favorites. They read them, and lots of other books together. I like to hear that parents and kids read together. Tiana's grandmother told us she has a special reading sofa that they share when Tiana visits. Tiana is very smart and a lot of that is because she likes to read so much!

This past month has been busy with many wonderful school visits--Stafford Middle, and Meriwether Lewis among them. Coming up are visits to Jouett Elementary, in Louisa, St. Timothy's in Chantilly, and a homeschool group in North Stafford. I was surprised when the media specialist at Jouett asked if I would play my cello as part of my talk about the Jamestown book. I've been looking for music from that the colonists might have known, and plan to play music on both the cello and my recorder (I'm not very good, but I can play a few tunes) that day. The colonists probably didn't have a big cello with them at Jamestown, but they probably had a recorder or something like it, and perhaps a violin or two.

Festival of the Book

2008-03-24T11:59:00.000-07:00

We are really looking forward to being at Meriwether Lewis School in Ivy, Va., this Wednesday as part of the Virginia Festival of the Book. I will meet with students that morning and talk about writing and researching the Bailey Fish Adventure series. Then, on Saturday, I'll be signing books at the Tabby House table at the Omni Hotel in Charlottesville during the festival, and later attend a special reception for authors. The festival is always fun. See you there.

ForeWord Book of the Year Finalist

2008-03-05T11:22:00.000-08:00

Bailey, Sugar, and I are thrilled that "The Mysterious Jamestown Suitcase," (book 4), is a finalist in ForeWord magazine's Book of the Year 2007 contest. The winners will be announced on May 29 in Los Angeles.

This is the second award for this book. It was a bronze medalist last year in the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards, and we show the beautiful medal to everyone when we do school programs.

This is also the second time one of the Bailey Fish Adventures has been a finalist in the ForeWord Book of the Year contest. "The Wild Women of Lake Anna" was a 2005 finalist and proudly displays that sticker.

There were almost 1,600 books entered in sixty-one categories, with 658 finalists from 350 publishers

We are honored to be among them

Hairless fox

2008-02-14T08:24:00.000-08:00

We were startled last night by the sight of a very strange animal that dashed out from under our porch. It had large pointy ears, a long tail with no fur, was yellowish, and was bigger than a cat. It ran out into the yard, then stopped to look at us before it raced away. My searches on the Internet indicate that it might be a hairless fox. I'm wondering if Bailey Fish readers have seen anything like it. Very strange indeed.

Louisa the Litter Queen

2008-01-27T13:00:00.000-08:00

This is Bailey Fish. I'm 11 and I live in Louisa County, Virginia, with my grandmother, Sugar. We just came back from spending two hours picking up litter on a road near our house. It isn't a long road but it was so filled with litter and trash that it was disgusting. Lots of roads in Louisa are a mess like this one. It's as if people here like to look at litter instead of trees or flowers. We picked up five huge bags of litter and ran out of bags. There were tons of beer bottles and cans; water bottles, Pepsi cans, cigarette boxes, a dirty diaper, papers and lots of papers and plastic things from McDonald's. You have to drive pretty far from McDonald's to get to our street to throw things out. And there was a lot of trash that had a lady's name on it. Sugar says I shouldn't use that name in this blog even though I want to. Her trash included receipts from Starbucks and other places in Frederickburg--an hour away.

I wish kids could do something to make adults stop littering in Louisa County and Lake Anna. I wish we could get Governor Kaine or maybe our supervisors to have a bottle law so that people would get money back when they return bottles and cans to stores. A lot of states do that and their roads are cleaner. And kids should tell their parents and big brothers and sisters not to litter. Louisa could be a pretty place if the roads didn't look so yucky. I wish people cared.
Bailey

Winter again

2008-01-26T09:03:00.000-08:00

Brrrr. It's quite a difference spending the winter in Virginia versus Hawaii. We had two lovely weeks there earlier this month. There was only one time we were cold, and that was at an altitude of 10,000 feet at the top of the Haleakala volcano on E. Maui. The wind was fierce, too. Being at the crater was like standing on the moon. We saw other volcano craters at Volcano National Park on Hawaii, and also the rare nene bird--a type of goose. That was exciting. My husband saw a mongoose one day, but I missed it. A lot of the coastal vegetation looked like what grew in Florida where we used to live.

I was particularly fascinated by the history of the islands and visiting Pearl Harbor.

We really enjoyed the trip. But now it's back to brrrr.

Jamestown book's teacher guide available

2008-01-17T07:48:00.000-08:00

Teachers and Homeschool parents: Thanks to the hard work of teacher and author Holly Moulder, we can now offer a comprehensive and fun Teacher's Guide (on disk) for The Mysterious Jamestown Suitcase. For information, contact Tabby House at tabbyhouse@gmail.com

Yet Another Reader Views Review

2007-12-26T09:40:00.000-08:00

Here's a wonderful, well-written review of The Mysterious Jamestown Suitcase, book 4 in my series. It was written by Regan Zaborowski (8) for Reader Views (www.readerviewskids.com).

"This is a about a man and his wife, called Elmo and Feather Phigg, who have car trouble and want to stay at the Keswick Inn. But first they meet Bailey Fish and her grandmother, and they help the Phiggs get to the Keswick Inn. They have a green suitcase that is very heavy and no one knows what is in it. Bailey and her friends try to find out what is in the suitcase. They are very curious about it. There is also a girl who comes to the Keswick Inn that Mr. and Mrs. Keswick are going to take are of. She can't speak, and Bailey and her grandmother have a party for her so that she would want to laugh or talk to someone. I was so nervous when I had to wait to see if she would; I really wanted her to. While they are doing this, Mr. and Mrs. Phigg go to Jamestown because they are writing a history book about that place. There is a big surprise at the end when eveyone learns about what is in the suitcase.

I liked reading "The Mysterious Jamestown Suitcase" with my mom. The main character in the book, Bailey Fish, seemed to be like me - curious and wanting to know about mysteries. I wanted to read more after I was done with each chapter because the mystery kept getting stranger. We didn't learn what was in the suitcase until the very end, and it was very funny. I also learned about the history of Jamestown, which is in Virginia. It made me want to learn more about the first people that came to live there. I am asking my mom for more Bailey Fish books, because they are fun to read."

Thank you so much, Reagan, for that excellent review. I think you will be an author someday.
Linda Salisbury

Another Reader Views review

2007-12-21T09:34:00.000-08:00

Thank you, Eric Zeda (9) for a fine review of "The Thief at Keswick Inn," the third book in the series. He writes for www.readerviewskids.com

Eric says, "This mystery begins when Bailey Fish and Justin Rudd are hired to help clean and repair the Keswick's house. While they are cleaning, the kids find a treasure while cleaning up the trash inside the house. Things get mysterious when some of the items disappear. Everyone thinks Justin, the neighborhood bully, is the thief. Noah, Fred, and Bailey decide to make a trap to catch the thief. What they discover is surprising. . . . It is great for kids who like to read mysteries. I gave it three stars because I enjoy reading action-packed books. I recommend "The Thief at Keswick Inn" for anyone that likes detective stories, but not for kids who want an action-packed story."

I really appreciate Eric's thoughtful comments and the fact that he shared what kind of stories he really likes to read.

Reader Views Reviews

2007-12-20T07:48:00.000-08:00

We just received a lovely review of No Sisters Sisters Club (book 2) by India Furney (12) for Reader Views. This is a online book review service that lets kids review books for kids--a terrific idea, don't you think?

Here is what India wrote: "Eleven-year-old Bailey hasn't seen her Dad since he left when she was one. Now, all of a sudden he turns up on Sugar's (Bailey's grandma) doorstep AND he has with him Bailey's half-sister that she didn't even know existed! Her name is Norma Jean and she looks perfect, perfect hair, perfect smile and Bailey hates her!

When Norma Jean comes to stay, Bailey creates the NO SISTERS SISTERS CLUB with her two best friends, Emily and Amber. No sisters allowed and that includes Norma Jean! Eventually, Bailey decides that having a sister isn't so bad after all.

I liked "No sisters Club" a lot and really enjoyed reading it. I could relate to the Sisters Club because I have three friends and we call ourselves "sisters." I think this is great for girls ages 8-13."

Thank you, India, and Reader Views. Visit their Web site at www.readerviewskids.com.

P.S. Boys like the book, too.

And P.P.S. I will be at Jabberwocky children's bookstore this Sunday from noon to 2 p.m., and then it will be home to back more Christmas cookies!

Boat ride

2007-12-13T08:06:00.000-08:00

Who would have believed that it would be 70 degrees in December? Santa must have been surprised to see us out on the lake in our little wooden boat yesterday. There weren't many other boaters taking advantage of the beautiful weather. We zipped through a flock of seagulls sending them flying for a few moments before they landed on the small waves. By the end of the ride, the temperature was dropping and we were glad to get back to shore. It's chilly again today. Maybe there will be more warm days this winter.

I've been working on book 6 and have finally settled on the historical aspects that will be worked into the story. Fascinating what we learn about our founding fathers!

Battle of Marye's Heights anniversary

2007-12-07T06:11:00.000-08:00

The Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star had a wonderful article about this weekend's reenactment of the Battle of Fredericksburg and about the Angel of Marye's Heights. It's the 145th anniversary of this battle that cost many lives on both sides. It is also the story of "angel" St. Richard Kirkland, who climbed over a stone wall and took water to the wounded and dying Federal troops. I was so impressed with his bravery and compassion that I included this, and information about the battle, in my fifth book, Ghost of the Chicken Coop Theater for kids. There is a picture of the Kirkland statue in the book, and of the Sunken Road where the Confederate troops defended Marye's Heights.

I will be at Hunter's Landing near Lake Anna from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday to autograph books;
at the Pear Tree from 1-4 p.m., Friday, Dec. 14, at Marshall Farms Corner in Unionville from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 15, and finally (this holiday season) at Jabberwocky Children's Bookstore in downtown Fredericksburg (810 Caroline St.) from noon to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 23.

Or, if you can't make the booksignings, you can buy the books online.

Miki's essay on imagination

2007-11-30T12:33:00.000-08:00

I thought you might enjoy reading this essay by a friend of mine in Florida about her imagination. I used to live across the street from Miki and her mother, Betsy Williams and was a good friend of Miki's grandmother, Mary. Miki is in high school and doing very well. I was thrilled to read this wonderful piece about how her mind works. It is reprinted with permission. Go, girl! You may be an author someday.

Imagination

I've always been told to not act my shoe size. My shoe size is eight, sometimes eight and a half. As an eight year old, I believed in fairies, Santa, goblins, and dragons. I still do.

Having a child’s imagination always seems to get me through the day. I'll be sitting in class watching everyone bored out of their minds, yet I'll have images of flying chipmunks and multi-colored skies. There are never dull moments in my head. Even when math class has everybody down I am an aquatic bird soaring through the deep sea and with my night vision I see a medley of colors. Those creepy squids and eels try to eat me but in my mind I am safer than if I was in the a dark alley.

I tell my friends stories of animals with sixteen heads. They don't believe me. They have all grown out of their childhood beliefs, all of their creative juices gone, but not me. I have the mental maturity of a fifteen year old and the imagination of an eight year old. At least that’s what my friends say. I however think that I am just right. It’s the rest of my peers that are wrong. They just want to seem older by ditching their childhood too soon. Which is not only completely immature if you think about it but just plain dumb. I plan to skip every dull moment by delving deep into my subconscious for a wild fantasy adventure.

The thought of other children like me not believing in snowmen that come to life or enchanted glades filled with elves makes me sad. I think to myself, where has all the fun and excitement in your life gone? I think about magical tree houses that lead to magical lands in the clouds where only me and my imaginary friends can go before I sleep each night, my friends think about sex. I dream about partying with aliens in space, my friends dream about partying with alcohol.

There is no doubt in my mind that if I were not to think and live with these beautiful thoughts that I would be a very boring teenager who idols Brittany Spears instead of Sponge Bob Square Pants, of whom I plan on marrying one day.

Miki M.

Book signings

2007-11-29T13:44:00.000-08:00

Hope to see you at upcoming book signings--this Saturday, Dec. 1, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Griffin, 106 Hanover St., in Fredericksburg. Eileen has wonderful coffees and teas and delicious baked goods, which are a nice treat during the holiday shopping season.

Then, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, I will be at Hunter's Landing store on Rt. 719 (off of Rt. 522). It's a great shop, with lots of Lake Anna brand gifts and a good restaurant attached. If the weather is nice, you could come by boat.

On Saturday, Dec. 15, from 11 a.m. to 2, I will be at Marshall Farms Corner in Unionville (Rt. 522 and 20). More great gifts and food. Love those lemon cookies.

Books are available on Amazon.com bn.com, and at a lot of stores in Virginia, including Dickinson's, Elk Creek Store, Sweet Creations, Touch of Fusion, The Fabric Hut, Christopher Run, Tavern on the Rail, Gordonsville Pharmacy and the Wild Bird Center in Charlottesville. And you can get the books at the Book Exchange, and the Pear Tree in Spotsylvania County, and at my favorite children's bookstore, Jabberwocky, and the Griffin in Fredericksburg.

E-mail me if you need directions. baileyfish@gmail.com

Squirrels and birds

2007-11-28T06:05:00.000-08:00

Bailey called this weekend to tell me what a wonderful Thanksgiving she had at Sugar's house. All the Keswicks and their guests were invited, and even the Rudd family. It was very crowded in Sugar's dining room, but because the weather was warm, the kids ate dessert outside. She said her favorite pie was pumpkin with squirts of whipped cream. She wanted more turkey leftovers for sandwiches, but Sugar bagged up a lot of pieces for company to take home. Bailey was especially happy because her mom called from Costa Rica. They had a long chat.

Bailey also said that she was watching squirrels making a nest in one of Sugar's tall hickory trees. They selected small branches with brown leaves on other trees, then jumped to their home tree and scurried up to make the big nest. Bailey hopes she will be able to see their babies.

She also told me that the mystery of the bearded birdhouse has been solved. Sugar has bluebird houses in her yard. They are wooden with a large hole in the front and a door that can be opened so that Sugar can clean out old nests. A few weeks ago the strands of nest started hanging down from the hole, making the birdhouse look like it had a long pointed beard. Yesterday, Sugar saw a male bluebird pulling out pieces of the old nest. Bailey put extra meal worms in the bluebird feeder because he was working so hard.

I told Bailey that with all the warm weather we have a problem in our garden. We planted wildflower seeds after the first frost, but now they are sprouting. So, we don't know if we will have flowers at Christmas instead of in the spring.

Glorious day

2007-11-20T11:52:00.000-08:00

Who would have guessed that the weather would be this warm (68 degrees) two days before Thanksgiving. The ladybugs are back and the cats are enjoying the sun on the front porch. See you at Jabberwocky, 810 Caroline St., Fredericksburg, on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. And I'll be at the Griffin bookstore on Hanover Street December 1, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

I've been trying to correct my last posting. Mary's organization is Volunteers without Boundaries. Unfortunately, the edit feature isn't working at the moment.

Salt Cay Library

2007-11-15T11:17:00.000-08:00

Thanks to the generosity of my friend, Mary Lightfine, the library on Salt Cay, population 66, now has a set of my Bailey Fish Adventures. I met Mary at the Florida Publishers Association President's Book Awards luncheon this fall. She is a nurse who has done much humanitarian work around the world, often in very dangerous situations. She is also involved with VolunteersWithoutBoundaries.com, an organization that helps people and animals. Mary took more than one hundred pounds of books to the Salt Cay library last week. The picture is of Sheila, the librarian opening the package and looking at the Bailey Fish books. I hope the residents of Salt Cay enjoy the series and that Mary and her friends continue to be successful.

Arlington Library

2007-11-12T12:05:00.000-08:00

I'm looking forward to seeing many of you Saturday at 2 p.m. (Nov. 17) at the Arlington Public Library on N. Quincy. I will bring the mysterious green suitcase with me, filled with treasures from various books.

Tomorrow I will be reading to students at Tyler Elementary School in Gainesville where one of my grandchildren is enjoying kindergarten. She is a quality student and starting to read.

The trees are finally filled with beautiful color and today is rather warm, compared with this past weekend. (Brrr.) With the warm weather comes a zillion brown ladybugs trying to get in our house to stay warm. There are so many flying around outside my window they look like snow.

Reading quizzes available

2007-11-03T06:01:00.000-07:00

For all of you who want need reading information--readability index, word count and quizzes-- please e-mail me at baileyfish@gmail.com or tabbyhouse.com and we'll send them to your school. The quizzes are available for all five books in the series. I recognize that having this information available is very important for some schools. The quizzes are publisher-generated. If enough schools request that the books be included in the national Accelerated Reader program, they might be included.

As a lifelong reader, I hope that reading books is not just based on points and rewards, but for the love of reading.

My great-nephew, Jimmy Slatter, has told me about some of his favorite books. He really likes the Magic Tree House series and I can see why. The kids in the story have great adventures when they read books!

The Moonbeam Children's Book awards today in Chicago. I'm sorry I can't be there, but I have two book signings this weekend. Maybe next year!

Moonbeam Children's Book Awards

2007-10-23T07:10:00.000-07:00

Bronze it is! We are thrilled that the judges have honored "The Mysterious Jamestown Suitcase" in this prestigious new children's book contest. We know how much our readers like the series, but it is always exciting to have judges recognize the value of the books. We were on Sanibel Island in Florida when we got the word about the award.

In addition to reading (a favorite vacation activity), I had two book signings during our trip (one at the Peace River Center for Writers in Punta Gorda, where we saw many friends), and another on Sanibel. I also had a wonderful day at Sanibel School, meeting with grades three through eight. The students were fun and had great questions. They really liked my new rubber chicken that squawks and crows (read book 4--there are rubber chickens).

We took long walks on the beach, picked up shells, and saw dolphin, and more birds than we can ever remember during our visits. The sky and beach were full of them.

Now we're back. The bear has returned to our Virginia neighborhood. Fall is here. We still need rain. I will be at Touch of Fusion in Mineral from 2-4 on Friday, Sweet Creations in Mineral from 11-2 on Saturday, and the Mineral Kids fair from 3-6 on Saturday (behind the fire house). On Tuesday, I will be at Chelsea Jo's from 6-9. And, I'll be in Arlington at the Library at 2 p.m. Nov. 17. More on later.

More Great News--another award

2007-10-02T07:30:00.000-07:00

I just found out that "The Mysterious Jamestown Suitcase," book 4, is a semifinalist in the Moonbeam Awards for children's books in the Pre-Teen fiction category. Competition was and is stiff--there are seven semifinalists in this group, and the winners will be recognized at an awards luncheon Nov. 3 in Chicago. The book will get at least a bronze medal, but of course, Sugar and Bailey (and the rest of us) are hoping for gold or silver. We are thrilled to have reached this point in a a national contest. The awards are made by the Jenkins Group and Independent Publisher Online. According to the Web site, the Moonbean Children's Book Awards honor the year's best children's books, authors and illustrators. "A total of 862 entries were received in 45 states, 6 Canadian provinces and 7 countries oversees."

I am often asked which of the books is my favorite, and I can't really say. I love the characters in each. As we prepare No Sisters Sisters Club ready for a second printing, I am again caught up in the drama of that story.

Being recognized with medals and awards for three books so far is very exciting. But knowing the reaction that young readers have to my books, and how engaged even reluctant readers have become, is just as important. Having kids love reading is what it is about!

Upcoming readings and signing

2007-09-21T11:46:00.000-07:00

As a result of publicity in Florida's Charlotte Sun about my President's Pick 2007 award, the Peace River Center for Writers has invited me to do a booksigning and reading on October 14, from 2-4 p.m. at the center in Punta Gorda. They will also be providing refreshments. I hope to see a lot of friends that afternoon.

Tentative plans are also to be at Sanibel School on October 18 to talk about the series.

And, in Virginia, I'll be at the Captain Jack's crab festival this Sunday afternoon in Spotsylvania Courthouse (love that spiced shrimp), at the Mineral Historic Foundation's Festival on September 29th behind the firehouse in Mineral, and at the Gordonsville Street festival on October 6.

There was a lovely article by Irene Luck in the Central Virginian this week about the award. Bailey and Sugar bought several copies to send to their friends, and Bailey's mother, Molly.

Wonderful FPA Award

2007-09-16T07:31:00.000-07:00

I was thrilled when my third book, "The Thief at Keswick Inn" was honored Saturday, Sept. 15, by the Florida Publishers Association in Fort Lauderdale. The book was named the President's Pick 2007 by FPA president Frank Gromling at the organization's Ed-U-Conference. Many other wonderful books also received awards in 14 categories. Pictured are Frank Gromling, FPA president on the left, me in the center holding my fabulous plaque, and Betsy Lampe, FPA executive director on the right. She is holding my roll of gold stickers to put on copies of the book. My book will also be displayed by FPA in two shows.

Harry Potter Effect

2007-08-20T05:09:00.001-07:00

Had a wonderful time last week in Atlanta, where I was a speaker at a writers' seminar sponsored by Anvil Press. My subject was "The Harry Potter Effect," and how much readers love series, especially if they like the characters and the action. I've known this for quite a while because of my Bailey Fish Adventure series. I am frequently--almost daily--asked when the next book will come out, and the next.

Shortly after we returned from Atlanta, I was a guest of Chick-fil-A in Stafford, where I met wonderful teachers, parents and youngsters, and did a reading from book 1. Timothy wanted to know when the series would be made into a movie (another frequent question), and Samantha admitted that she was reading book four as slowly as possible so that she could make it last until book 5 came out. I don't think it will last until that happens. She is too into the story. We are in the final proofing of Ghost of the Chicken Coop Theater, so get ready.

Upcoming signings include: Touch of Fusion, Aug. 25, from 11-1 (Mineral, Va.); Christopher Run (4-6 p.m. Aug. 25), Louisa, Va.; City of Orange street festival (Sept. 8, all day); Dickinson's Store, Sept. 1, 11-1, Louisa; and there will be more!

Ghost of the Chicken Coop Theater

2007-07-27T12:05:00.000-07:00

Bailey was very excited this week to see the cover of book 5 in her series. The new book is called Ghost of the Chicken Coop Theater. The cover pictures the old chicken coop that she and her friends fix up to be a backyard theater, plus Noah, Fred, Justin and herself, plus naughty little Clover, and Sparrow's wheelchair.

I told her how my kids used to have plays and circuses in our backyard. My son used to make his own movies, which are very funny to watch now. The plays, movies, and circuses were very elaborate and clever and we were all involved. Grandparents had to make popcorn or costumes. Our collie got into the act by being a "lion." There were clowns and magicians, dancers and tumbling acts. Lots of fun.

Bailey said she and her friends have more plays planned, now that mean Li'l Bonbon has checked out of Keswick Inn. But you'll have to read the book when it comes out in order to find out what happens.

I'll be speaking in Atlanta about writing children's series on August 11. You can contact Noel Griese, at Anvil Publishers for more information. I will also be at Touch of Fusion in Mineral on August 25, at Cick-fil-A from 5 to 8 p.m. on Rt. 17 in Falmouth, Virginia, on August 14, and at the Orange County, Virginia, festival on September 8. See you then or somewhere.

Linda

Fun at the lake

2007-07-09T08:25:00.000-07:00

Summer is so nice at Lake Anna. We've had a few boat rides, despite the heat, and it sure has been hot lately. We met friends for a picnic supper in a nice cove, and enjoyed the fireworks. We also saw wonderful fireworks at Lake of the Woods. It was the best show I've ever seen. Very dramatic and noisy, which is fun. We haven't seen the bear in a long time, but the other day a little groundhog waddled across the front lawn. I had never seen one from that angle before--only when they sit up, so I wasn't sure what it was because it was so furry. Bailey and I have been picking blackberries. The crop doesn't seem as good as last year. It is her first summer at the lake so she's enjoying getting all messy from the fruit.

We've had a lot of e-mail from readers lately and happily have met several of you at booksignings. Sean is one, and Julia is another.

Jamestown booksignings

2007-06-11T05:14:00.000-07:00

Fredericksburg will celebrate the 400th anniversary of Jamestown this coming weekend, and we have two booksignings scheduled. I will be at Jabberwocky on Caroline Street from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 16, and from 4- 6 p.m. at The Griffin bookstore on Hanover Street. I'll be signing all four books in the series, but especially "The Mysterious Jamestown Suitcase," which has Jamestown history and pictures from our trip there in it.

Had a wonderful time last Saturday at Ferry Farm near Fredericksburg, at a "Read by George Day." The program was at the boyhood home of George Washington. It's a beautiful place to visit, and it was fun to see so many people who enjoy reading.

We will also have a table July 4th in downtown Fredericksburg, so please stop by. Sugar and Bailey plan to be there, too.

Book 5

2007-05-26T08:42:00.000-07:00

Here's a sneak preview of the title of my fifth book. The title is "Ghost of the Chicken Coop Theater," and it involves ghosts, and new characters who show up at Keswick Inn. Bailey doesn't like them at all, and neither do all her friends. It should be available sometime in the fall.
Meanwhile, this is the weekend that Isabel is having her Wild Women of Lake Anna party. She's made up games that go along with the book, and all her friends have read the first book. She is having a special cake with the book's cover printed on it. I wish I could be there, but I am thinking a lot about what fun she and her friends are having.

Juliana's book report

2007-05-09T06:09:00.000-07:00

Bailey asked me to share this with you from Juliana, who is also 11. They don't know each other, but Juliana wrote this book report about the No Sisters Sisters Club. We thought it was very good. Thanks, Juliana.

BOOK REPORT I chose to do my book report on No Sisters Sisters Club which was written by Linda Salisbury. It was published by Tabby House and copy written in 2006. This book is set in our time and in Virginia. This fictional story has characters such as Bailey, Sugar (her grandmother) Emily, Justin and Norma Jean. This book tells of how Bailey Fish meets her father and an annoying half sister she’s never met. When she finds out that Norma Jean, her half sister, is going to stay at her house for a week, she is not excited. When Norma Jean and Bailey have to save Sallie they must work together. And when their father takes them for ice cream, Bailey gets a very unwanted surprise! I thought this book was well-written because it was very engaging.. This book is very much true-to-life because every thing in the book is possible. I liked this book because Bailey has two kittens and it has a good and engaging plot. If I had to rate this book I would rate it the highest rating possible. I learned from this book that first impressions can be deceiving. And to always be cautious around strangers.

By Juliana Hennig

Birdhouse surprise

2007-05-03T07:30:00.000-07:00

When Bailey stopped by yesterday afternoon to return my copy of The Boxcar Children, we had a surprise to show her. The last time the bear came through our yard, he tore up a little apple tree and knocked down the bluebird house (with a nest in it) that was on a metal pole.
Because the bear has knocked them down so many times, we decided to put the bluebird houses on trees, even though the birds like poles better. The birds have been going in and out of the far house, but hadn't done much more than look in the nearer one with the old nest in it. So we decided to remove the old nest in case they wanted to start over.

My husband tapped on the near house, and to his great surprise, a flying squirrel scurried out and climbed up the cedar tree. He opened the house's door just a teeny bit and saw baby squirrels in the former bluebird nest. Bailey and I later saw the mother, with her beautiful wings, but decided not to alarm her further by looking at the babies. We feel quite honored that she had her babies in the yard, and we hope the bear leaves them alone.

Jamestown Review

2007-04-26T11:13:00.000-07:00

We were delighted that ForeWord magazine recently posted this wonderful review of The Mysterious Jamestown Suitcase. Celebrations of the 400th anniversary of Jamestown are beginning. How exciting. ForeWord is a wonderful magazine that reviews books from independent publishers.

"Stolen artifacts pale next to the psychological wallop of this new installment in the popular Bailey Fish Adventure series. Bailey, who lives with her grandmother because her divorced parents both have jobs abroad, finds herself reluctantly embroiled in a furtive effort to open a mysterious green suitcase that belongs to Mr. Phigg, a newcomer to her community. However, the book’s real drama revolves around Sparrow, a wheelchair-bound, silent foster child who comes to live with Bailey’s neighbors, the Keswicks, who have also appeared in the series’ three previous books. Each colorful character contributes to the effort to induce Sparrow to speak.

Bailey and her friends, Fred and Noah Keswick, are intrigued by the battered green suitcase that Mr. Phigg guards so carefully. An evacuee whose home was destroyed by hurricanes, Mr. Phigg is also a writer of children’s books. His current project is a book about Jamestown, “that unfortunate English settlement of 1607.” His research intrigues Bailey and her grandmother so much that they begin exploring the topic themselves. Their content-packed conversations are filled with tidbits such as that John Smith was “captured [by Turks in Hungary] and briefly served as a slave before he escaped.” Mr. Phigg tells Bailey stories about Smith’s famous rescue of Pocahontas, which “are likely his own fabrications.”

Salisbury is the author of seven other books, including three other Bailey Fish Adventures, on which she collaborated with award-winning illustrator and creative designer Christopher Grotke. His humorous detailed sketches provide just the right touch, adding atmosphere to the story by bringing key moments to life. He has also been featured in the New York Times and the Washington Post.

Social issues add texture to this otherwise straightforward mystery, showing Salisbury’s in-depth awareness of the complexities of growing up. Blended families, peer pressure, and domestic violence are among the many issues that Bailey and her friends confront, and the author’s emotional acuity and matter-of-fact approach create an understated sophistication that avoids the melodrama that such issues can invoke. Bailey and her friends respond realistically to the challenges they encounter, and Bailey’s resilience and empathy will impress readers as much as her consistent devotion to school and homework.

When Bailey’s grandmother begins reading more widely about Native Americans, she learns that the Navajo celebrated a child’s first laughter. This chance morsel inspires Bailey to plan a “First Laugh Party” to entice Sparrow to speak. Everyone in Bailey’s extended community contributes to the party preparations, and each person has his or her own idea about how to make Sparrow laugh. The author skillfully brings the distinct threads of her story’s tapestry together when the novel’s suitcase thief is discovered at the party in a surprising disguise."

Review by Elizabeth Breau

Hurrah

2007-04-15T07:54:00.000-07:00

I am so happy that Linda Salisbury got help and we can blog again.

Sugar and I like spring a lot. The redbud trees and dogwoods are blooming. We still have lots of birds coming to her feeders. Friday I saw squirrels looking for seeds in the bark where the birds crack the sunflowers. They also try to knock down the feeders so they can have lots of seed on the ground. We have to bring the feeders in every night because of the bear. He is still around. He knocked down the bluebird houses again. It's raining hard today so we are going to read in front of the fireplace and make hot chocolate. Yum.

Blog problems

2007-02-01T13:58:00.000-08:00

Sigh. Eventually this blog will probably go away because I am having trouble switching from the old system to a new Google system. That's the problem with the Internet and all this technology and me. You have to be Bailey's age to be able to figure things out. Maybe Bailey will come by to show me how this all works.

Unbelievable weather

2007-01-16T14:06:00.000-08:00

It has been so warm this winter that the plants are confused. I picked three daffodils today that were in full bloom and put them in a vase in the kitchen window. I also picked a handful of baby lettuce that had come up. When I was in Washington this past weekend I picked forsythia, and saw other bushes that were blooming. Amazing. But the cold weather is due in later tonight. Nothing like the Midwest has been having with its ice storms.

Great Review

2007-01-13T11:52:00.000-08:00

The Midwest Book Review just sent a letter to say that they have reviewed "The Mysterious Jamestown Suitcase" for its fiction shelf. Here's part of what they said. This is a "chapter book for young readers set in modern-day Virginia. Written to tie in with the 400th anniversary of the Jamestown settlement, "The Mysterious Jamestown Suitcase" blends facts about American history into the enjoyable narrative of young Bailey Fish, her grandmother and her friends as they are puzzled by the contents of a locked green suitcase. Bailey and her grandother also reach ot to plan a party to help a young, silent foster child start talking again; and the mystery takes an unexpected turn when another guest arrives! A high-spirited, wholesome adventure story."

We are very proud of the review, especially the last sentence!

Happy New Year

2006-12-29T11:12:00.000-08:00

I can't believe how warm the weather is. My friends in Florida have rain this week, but it is sunny and pretty warm here. Sugar and I have been taking walks and picking up trash. It is mostly from people working on new houses. Makes us mad. We have lots of birds at our feeders. I helped Sugar make an apple pie today and applesauce from apples we picked in October. She let me add the brown sugar and cinnamon. Yum. We are going to curl up by the fireplace and read books on New Years Eve, unless Linda Salisbury and her husband come over for leftover pie. We might have to make another one if we eat this one first. Happy New Year Everyone, and write me.

Saw the bear

2006-12-21T05:28:00.000-08:00

We have finally seen the black bear. Our neighbor, Florence, called last night while we were having a small dinner party. She said to look out our window in the hot tub room because he was standing up at her sunflower feeder. So we all rushed to the window and could see him in the shadows. Then he dropped to all fours and went over to where our floodlights were on behind the new picture window, walked around where we could all see him. When I went to get a camera, he took his big paw and bopped one of the pink plastic flamingoes in the back yard. I was sorry to have missed that. We were all very excited.

I have one more booksigning before Christmas--this Saturday from 1-3 p.m. at Jabberwocky Children's books in downtown Fredericksburg. See you there!

Bear and books

2006-12-13T09:41:00.000-08:00

This has been a busy season. We had a wonderful trip to Florida, but caught colds there. Have had a lot of booksignings, with more to go before Christmas. I'll be at Marshall Farms Corner this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2, and back at Jabberwocky in Fredericksburg from 1-3 on Saturday, Dec. 23.

The black bear came again last night and knocked down bird feeders, the martin house, another scarecrow and solar lights along the driveway. Bad bear. We knew he was in the neighborhood but has left us alone for a while. We are sure the cats have seen him, but we haven't.

Put up the Christmas tree yesterday. It is the best tree ever--something I say every year, but Bailey and Sugar agreed when they stopped by after supper.

Hope you are enjoying the newest book.

Awesome

2006-11-15T11:46:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited about the new book. I've wanted to tell you about the Phiggs and Sparrow for a long time but Linda Salisbury said they were a secret until the book came out. She likes surprises. I went with Miss Linda to the Belmont Craft Fair on Saturday where we sold almost 100 books. Boys and girls wanted to read the newest one. I also heard that one girl in Northern Virginia said, "Thank you, God, for Bailey Fish," when she was saying grace. That is awesome. We will have a lot of booksignings before Christmas. See you there, or order your copy through my Web site, www.BaileyFishAdventures.com. Have a happy Thanksgiving. I'm going to eat a ton of turkey.

Book 4 is here!

2006-11-09T11:24:00.000-08:00

"The Mysterious Jamestown Suitcase," the latest in the Bailey Fish Adventures, arrived this week. It's already in many stores and should be orderable through Amazon.com. You can even order it through www.BaileyFishAdventures.com -- our very own Web site. Read a little bit from the story and learn about the mystery. If you check the home page, you'll see some video clips--me talking about the first two books. We met a really nice guy, Steve O'Keefe at the Charlottsville festival of the book this year and he made the tapes.

Bailey can't wait to introduce you to the Phiggs and Sparrow.

Robins

2006-10-30T06:44:00.000-08:00

Fall is such a beautiful time. I don't think the leaves are quite as brilliant this year as last, but their color is still beautiful as I sit at my computer and look into the woods. This morning I heard and saw the little wren that made a nest in one of our hanging pots on the porch this summer. A bluebird patiently sat on the "worm feeder." So I had to throw on a jacket and take him breakfast. And then a huge flock of robins swooped into the yard, devouring dogwood berries and drinking from the birdbath before the continued their southward migration. When we lived in Florida we expected the robins to arrive in January. There, they ate Brazilian pepper berries until they got too silly to fly straight.

Off to press

2006-10-05T06:13:00.000-07:00

Exciting news. The fourth book in the Bailey Fish Adventure series went to press yesterday. It is titled The Mysterious Jamestown Suitcase and wait till you read who comes to stay at Keswick Inn! Four new characters and a mysterious stranger. Hmmm. I wonder what that's all about. I've also had some wonderful programs lately. Visited with students at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School and talked about writing. And yesterday I gave a talk to the wild women at the Belmont Women's Club. They are a wonderful group. This week we'll be at Ferry Farm for a reading festival. See you there!

Tickseed

2006-09-21T09:55:00.000-07:00

We learned the name of the beautiful yellow, daisy-like flowers that appear along the roadside this time of year--tickseed. The "topsoil" we bought this spring to enhance our clay soil in the flowerbeds was filled with its seeds. So, while our planted flowers and vegetables haven't done very well, the weeds are flourishing. Fortunately, we really like the tickseed. We still haven't seen the bear, but he's evidently still around. We have had large flocks of bluebirds--sometimes a dozen coming at night and chattering for worms. First signs of fall in the trees. The dogwoods are turning red, and I saw a patch of yellow leaves on another tree. Cooler air today. Nice.

Bailey Fish Adventures

twitter

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Another award

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Treasure in Sugar's Book Barn

Books win more awards

Treasure off to press

Grandma Camp

Bailey Fish ad from a fan

Been busy

Eric Hoffer finalist

School visits

Spring

The Mysterious Green Suitcase

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Advent Calendar

Read Books!

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Florida Library Association

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Florida Publishers Association awards

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Chik-fil-A family night

Walker Brothers Circus

Fox

NAIWE interview

NAIWE

Book 7

Manatee Cow Grass and Loggerhead

Richmond homeschool convention

Bailey Fish book 7

Crestwood and Trevilians

Snow

Readers' ideas

CPSIA means new Dark Ages for American children

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Sugar's cookies

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The Reading Tub

It's a silver!

Trouble in Contrary Woods

Great news for No Sisters Sisters Club and Wild Women

Reader Views interview

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Th Reading Tub

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Great review from Reader Views

Books and readers

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ForeWord Book of the Year Finalist

Hairless fox

Louisa the Litter Queen

Winter again

Jamestown book's teacher guide available

Yet Another Reader Views Review

Another Reader Views review

Reader Views Reviews

Boat ride

Battle of Marye's Heights anniversary

Miki's essay on imagination

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Squirrels and birds

Glorious day

Salt Cay Library

Arlington Library

Reading quizzes available

Moonbeam Children's Book Awards

More Great News--another award

Upcoming readings and signing

Wonderful FPA Award