It’s here! ThankU: Poems of Gratitude for children is here. Edited by Miranda Paul, illustrated by Marlena Myles, and published by Millbrook Press, the poetic forms and the stunning illustrations are awesome. I am honored to have been included in this diverse group of poets, which includes such greats as Jane Yolen, Naomi Shihab Nye, Cynthia Leitich Smith, Carolyn Dee Flores, Margarita Engle, and many others. The book can be ordered at Amazon.

I just returned from the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI) 2019 conference in Los Angeles, California. As a new Regional Advisor, I attended training and writer sessions, panels of diverse guests, listened to award-winning keynote speakers, had fabulous lunches, and socials with my peers. It was a gathering of hundreds of writers and illustrators from all over the nation and the world. There were about 1130 attendees, some coming from Europe, Turkey, and Hawaii. It was an awesome event.

I took photos with 2019 Newbery Award winner, the amazing Meg Medina, and 2019 Pura Belpre winner, illustrator/writer, Yuyi Morales.

I hope to bring some of the knowledge and information I received at the conference and apply it to our own SCBWI chapter in Texas. I have revisions to make and submissions to send … so I will be mighty busy for a while. Keep writing and enjoy the journey.