Tag Archive for: Children’s books

A Creative Life

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“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” Maya Angelou

My friend and fellow children’s book author, Michelle Houts, recently shared pictures of a group of peers in a pottery class on social media.  Michelle wrote something about how when writers aren’t writing, we are still creating.

When golfing with my friend Joan the other day, after sharing my current obsession with making gluten-free sourdough bread, she commented, “You’re always creating something.”

For those who know me well, it’s no surprise that I’m often without my phone. I’m more about being in the moment than feeling the need to record and share it. So, when I scrolled through the photos I’ve taken this summer, I realized Maya, Michelle, and Joan are all on the same page.

Just because I’m not always writing doesn’t mean I’m not sprinkling my little imaginative soul juices around.

Here’s a peek behind my creative curtain…

Let’s start with my garden. People say that pets resemble their owners.

Perhaps my garden is a reflection of me… natural, a little crazy, and a bit wild.

What began as tiny starts of a variety of native plants has evolved into this.

There’s whorled tickseed correopsis, mountain mint, bluestem grass, brown eyed susans,

and my favorite, purple coneflowers.

Note the bee box, which is supposed to shelter pollinators. Robins like to perch on it and poop…

 

 

I love creating flower arrangements from the bounty.

Now and then, spiders hitch a ride on the blooms…

I try my best to let them back outside.

 

Speaking of little critters hanging out in my garden, check this out.

Do you see the caterpillars enjoying my parsley?

They are future Black Swallowtail butterflies!

I have three chrysallis attached to the outdoor baker’s rack.

I don’t even mind that they ate all my parsley.

It’s growing back.

 

Other babies got their starts in my garden, too.

Here is one of five fledglings who entertained us as they

mastered flight.

The wires on our deck served as a perfect resting spot.

 

 

Here’s my sourdough starter….

 

…and the result.

I’m loving playing with the process.

It’s so awesome to have fresh, homemade bread again. My mom would be proud.

 

 

Rest assured, I am still working on penning stories for younger readers.

I am currently rewriting my first novel for

middle-grade readers. As any creative will attest, whatever one produces takes

time, effort, and patience.

I’m hoping that just like those little native plant starts, the caterpillars, the tiny blue robin’s eggs,

and the sourdough starter, that with the proper amount of nurturing,

this story grows into a beautiful new creation.

Stay tuned.

 

P.S. This happened later today after writing this blog post. Note the chrysalis attached to the plant stem!

I’ll take it as a sign of good things to come.

Soul Stirring

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“When your soul stirs, take attentive note.”

So begins a beautiful book that my friend, Gayle, gifted me several years ago.

Simply Soul Stirring: Writing as a Meditative Practice has been a wonderful reminder to “be in the moment” both in writing and life.

I hope you’ve experienced those occasions where you feel pure joy…where you feel happiness down into your soul.

That feeling where your soul simply lights up.

There are always so many of these moments at our Claire’s Day celebrations.

But there’s always one that stands out.

Sanaa Orra, one of our amazing Read for Literacy/Claire’s Day team members approached me last week with this sweet child and her Mom.

“Julie, this C.A.R.E. Award winner came to the offices looking for you.  She said she wanted to get a picture with Claire’s Mom.”

Be still, my heart.

I congratulated this young girl on receiving the award in Claire’s honor for improving her reading skills. We chatted a little bit about what she likes to read. About the fun day she had. About how proud I am of her for working so hard to become a better reader.

Before they left, I gave her mom my cell phone and asked if she would be so kind as to send me the picture.

 

 

When I got the text later, the string of photos captured the essence of all our team does to continue to share Claire’s legacy.

With tears in my eyes, I texted the little girl’s mom back.

I told her that it looked like her daughter had an excellent Claire’s Day.

And I thanked her for supporting her reading journey.

Her mom’s response?

“Ms. Julie, she had a great time. Thank you for a wonderful day yesterday.

 

The following images are a perfect reflection of that excellent day.

 

 

After receiving her award, Toledo Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Romules Durant was on hand to congratulate her. Dr. Durant has joined us every year since he began serving in this role.

Those little ones are so fortunate to have such a dynamic leader guiding their futures.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This picture of the little one and her teacher caught my breath. How the light shines on Claire…and continues to shine on the day!

We are so grateful for the hundreds of teachers who nominate their students for the award annually.

As one educator told me last year, “This is my favorite day of the year!”

Of course, part of the magic that happens at Claire’s Day is for children to have their books personally signed by the author or illustrator. Here is award-winning author/illustrator Bea Jackson with this little one. Look at just how proud they both are of their work.

Thank you to all of our Claire’s Day partners, from the incredible Read for Literacy/Claire’s Day staff to our partner schools, sponsors, volunteers, the Toledo Lucas County Public Library, Gathering Volumes bookstore, authors, illustrators, and attendees.

You all stir our souls.

 

 

My Winter of Content

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With all due respect, William Shakespeare, but this winter has been anything but full of discontent.

Just the opposite.

For those of you who have been following our travels in our motorhome, you might recall that two years ago we traveled around Florida. We stayed for a month in Port St. Lucie, renting a lot at the Motorcoach RV Resort here. We had a blast meeting new people. An incredible bonus was hosting our long-time friends Curt and Rita for a weekend filled with adventures from kayaking to renting a boat.

Fast forward two years.

Brad and I considered replicating the same tour through Florida again this year. But then I remembered the hassle of trying to find decent, and affordable, places to park our rig throughout the state. The experience was like trying to get front row seats to an Adele concert the day before. (Not that I’ve ever done that, but I will say I’ve seen Adele in concert with our son, Ian. Best. Concert. Experience. Ever.)

I digress.

So, last April, after winding down a six-month western sojourn in the coach, our daughter, Kyle, joined Brad and I at the Rubini family home in North Carolina. After a glass (or two!) of wine, I decided that maybe we consider actually buying a lot at the resort in Port St. Lucie we loved so much two years prior.

I’ve determined the best decisions are made when wine with one’s daughter is involved. We looked at the resort’s website. I found one I thought was ideal. Kyle thought better.

“I think you want to be on water,” she said.

Ultimately, we discovered “our” spot, one that I call “the little engine that could” site. It was a sad little puppy, it’s neglect apparent.

I can’t resist a rescue.

We bought the lot.

If there was such a thing as an RV renovation reality show, we’d be featured.

We sold the tiki that was onsite to our neighbors.

That paved the way to create our new space. It involved having a section of landscaping (including a huge royal palm) moved, designing and building an entirely new tiki, complete with kitchen, living and dining space. And, all of this involved the process of getting every step of the way approved by the resort’s Architectural Review Committee and making sure appropriate permits were obtained.

There was a big hiccup in the works from the start, where what we perceived as our lot was actually common ground. Never mind it had a brick wall and gate on the perimeter, offering the illusion that it was all our lot. But then again, I digress.

All’s well that ends well.

This winter has been filled with making new friends through all the amazing activities the resort offers. From a weekly biking group, to pickleball, to yoga and water aerobics classes.  We joined an off-site golf club which expanded those new friendships as well.

We both feel so incredibly blessed to have met and made new friends at this stage in life.

With my best and forever friend and partner, Brad.

Toledo friends came and visited, and connected with others in Boca Raton too.

 

 

A “bucket list” item of visiting each of the Seven Wonders of the World began with visiting Mexico and touring Chichen Itza with Kyle, her husband Will, our son Ian and his partner Adam in February. Family time is always precious time.

 

 

 

 

Finally, in this new, beautiful space, I finished a writing project that has been on my mind and heart for awhile.

After receiving an incredibly supportive critique from members of the Society of Children’s Book Authors and Illustrators several months ago, I forged full steam ahead.

Today I completed the first draft of my initial middle-grade novel, and it feels so good.

Stay tuned for any developments on the project as I work toward having the work traditionally published.

As we leave this little slice of paradise, making our way north, spending time with family and friends on our way, I send my very best to the many who have been so kind to us over this winter.

Thank you for making this a season full of content.

And then some.

 

Just a moment podcast

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I had the privilege of being featured in a podcast created by my friend, Chrys Peterson.

The podcast shares inspirational stories of individuals whose lives changed in just a moment.

To hear how mine changed, click the link below.

https://chryspeterson.com/episode-3-rewriting-your-story-after-unbearable-loss/

Anonymous

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“For most of history, Anonymous was a woman.” -Virginia Woolf

I discovered this quote while doing research for my latest proposed biography for young readers. My subject, even though she has a significant place in history, is unknown. This woman was the first to serve in her role. This woman stood toe-to-toe with men and held her own. This woman dared to buck the system to accomplish what she believed is right. This woman’s story has never been told.

I hope to change that.

I recently took to Twitter to begin an ongoing campaign to promote women in history. I searched through various online portals, such as “this day in history” and “this day in women’s history.” My campaign ended after three days. The ratio of noted accomplishments by men outranked women’s significantly. It is as if we’ve taken the root word of history literally. HIS story.

I hope to change that.

I’ve been blessed to share the life journeys of three amazing women, who have made their own mark in the world.

For years, no one knew that Carolyn Keene was not the actual writer of the Nancy Drew Mystery Stories. There is no Carolyn Keene. The original author of the teenage sleuth stories was none other than Mildred Wirt Benson. As the very first ghostwriter for the series, Millie was indeed anonymous until her role was made public through a lawsuit. The legal action was filed by the former publisher of the series, Grosset & Dunlap, when the creators of the series, the Stratemeyer Syndicate, made a business decision to contract with Simon & Schuster to publish future Nancy Drew stories. When Millie showed up at the trial in New York City in 1980, Harriet Stratemeyer greeted Millie with a curt, “I thought you were dead.” Nope, very much alive, and no longer anonymous.

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Virginia Hamilton was the most honored author of children’s literature ever. EVER! Virginia was the first African American, male, or female, to receive the Newbery Medal, in 1975 for her groundbreaking novel, M.C. Higgins, The Great. Virginia’s 41 books for younger readers garnered every major award established for authors. Virginia was the first children’s book author to receive the MacArthur Foundation Fellowship, otherwise known as the “Genius Grant.” Her body of work was recognized through the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award and the Hans Christian Andersen Award for Writing. Yet, her books have been buried among the stacks in libraries, her stories rarely shared with today’s young readers.

As a 22-year-old intern with the Miami Herald, sports journalist Christine Brennan made her way through the doors of the locker room of the Minnesota Vikings. It was previously all-male territory, even though a federal judge had ordered TWO years before that female journalists should have equal access to locker rooms. Christine continues to make her mark in the world of sports journalism, often the “go-to” whenever there is controversy or significant news with athletes. Yet, for all the doors that Christine has opened during her years as a sports reporter, a columnist with USA Today, and commentator on ABC News, her story was buried as a lead.

We are on the brink of Women’s History Month. Why just a month when we collectively try and create awareness of amazing female scientists, writers, artists, civil rights activists, educators, and business leaders? Why is there only a month to pull back the curtain on these anonymous makers of history?

Why not make every day a chance to share HER story?

I hope to change that.

Presenting Virginia Hamilton…

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It was an honor sharing the life of Virginia Hamilton, the most honored author of children’s literature. In gratitude to Ohio Humanities for underwriting my presentation, and the Ohio History Connection/National Afro American Museum and Cultural Center for hosting.

Check it out here: https://youtu.be/sR4_hllOqlo

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Chosen

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It was an honor and pleasure to be interviewed by Debbie Gonzalez for her podcast. Debbie inspired me through her inciting questions about love, loss, and celebrating life. More so, she suggests that I was chosen for my path, an incredible thought. Here’s to all who have guided and supported me on my journey. You were chosen as well.

Check out her debcast here: http://www.debbiegonzales.com/the-debcast-epsiodes/2019/12/29/ep34-never-deny-an-opportunity-at-first-glance-with-julie-rubini

Meeting new “peeps”

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This weekend I had the opportunity to be surrounded by amazing creators of children’s books. Now, I know what you’re thinking. As the co-founder of Claire’s Day, a children’s book festival, this would not be unusual for me. In my role as an author, this isn’t necessarily a new experience either, as I’ve been fortunate to attend many Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators meetings and conferences.

But, this was different.

This was a writing workshop specifically for nonfiction children’s book authors, editors and agents.

Ahhh…finally. My peeps.

I felt like the nonfiction kid-lit shelves at my local bookstore literally came to life in front of my eyes as I met my fellow attendees. Writers I only knew through common on-line writing groups or social media were there, live and in person. I met scientists, educators, and biographers, all passionate about sharing their discoveries in creative and exciting works with children of all ages.

These writers have created works on everything from the history of dogs, to the significance of road kill. It was a thrill to meet peers who have written biographies I’ve read as mentor texts, admiring their style and structure.

I fan-girled over Candace Fleming, whose works range from stories about giant squids, to revealing, incredible biographies of Amelia Earhart and Buffalo Bill. I learned about the importance of “vital idea” of story and exciting page turns from Candace.

Jennifer Swanson, the creative genius behind the workshop, shared her excitement over establishing a nonprofit that provides author school visits to children who might not ever have the chance for this incredible experience otherwise. Jen participated in Claire’s Day last year, and it has been an honor offering her support and advice in this endeavor.

It was awesome meeting editors who are passionate about nonfiction, who are actively acquiring the manuscripts we are all creating.

Most of all, it was so refreshing to talk about research, back matter, interviewing subjects, challenges in getting experts to “vet” our manuscripts, agents who specialize in nonfiction, and all things related to the beauty and opportunities in this genre as an author.

I walked away from the experience feeling as though I have a whole new support group of writers who really “get” what I’m doing, because they are walking the same path. They speak my language.

My new peeps. Nice to meet you.