I just received the most beautiful package of letters and cards from students and staff at JL Simpson MS (Virginia) in response to 6 virtual visits over two days that we did together a few weeks ago. Jeannine and I had corresponded about this for about a year and I was very impressed by the students and their in-depth questions on a wide variety of my books, and about history, and about the current war in Ukraine. The letters were tied in a blue satin ribbon, and the cards are amazing. Individual student artists created cards based on scenes from books. The artwork below is inspired by Stolen Girl, about Nadia’s joy at having a tree with a swing, now that she’s safe and living with people who love and care for her.
This is from Making Bombs for Hitler, when Lida is in the Displaced Persons’ camp. She’s checking the hundreds of bits of fluttering paper that have been attached to one of the few stone walls still standing. Each paper was a note with a person’s details on it, as they were trying to connect with loved ones who survived. I think of the war going on now in Ukraine when I look at this artwork, and think of all the people trying to find their loved ones.This is from Stolen Girl. It’s Nadia’s confused memories because of the Nazi brainwashing she endured, making her forget her true family. It breaks my heart seeing this picture because there are kids right now kidnapped by Russia, in the midst of having their memories washed.Here are all of them.
Thank you, Ms Coffman, for the opportunity to meet with your avid readers from Limestone MS, IL! I loved their well-thought-out questions about a bunch of my books, and also about creativity and research!
This happened in March but am finally getting some pics up. Congratulations to Myrna Kostash, the winner! And congrats to all the nominees. It was a wonderful event. Terry MacLeod was a fantastic MC.
I still have a few pee wee eggs left and am trying to use them up while they’re still fresh enough to sink in the dye. I had a massive edit to do in the last few weeks and hadn’t done much of anything else, so writing 5 pysanky over the weekend was glorious. I wanted to try an old favorite division — 4 circles. These two pysanky have the 4 circles. I’m very pleased with the orange and black fish and snake egg!
