Archive for February 24th, 2008

What Do You Think?

February 24, 2008 @ 9:58 pm | Filed under:

You Are a Question Mark


You seek knowledge and insight in every form possible. You love learning.
And while you know a lot, you don’t act like a know it all. You’re open to learning you’re wrong.

You ask a lot of questions, collect a lot of data, and always dig deep to find out more.
You’re naturally curious and inquisitive. You jump to ask a question when the opportunity arises.

Your friends see you as interesting, insightful, and thought provoking.
(But they’re not always up for the intense inquisitions that you love!)

You excel in: Higher education

You get along best with: The Comma

What Punctuation Mark Are You?

Wow! I do seek knowledge and insight, almost compulsively! I am open to being wrong: I’ve had so much practice! I do ask a lot of questions, collect information, dig dig dig! That’s true! Wow! I do sometimes overwhelm my friends with too much of the digging and asking! Gosh! It must be true! I’m a question mark! And here I would have sworn I was exclamation point. Who knew?

Heh.

HT: Diane, the comma—so that’s why we get along so well!

Great Yarns for the Close-Knit Family

February 24, 2008 @ 6:45 am | Filed under:

I was excited about this book long before I knew one of my own novels had been included in its pages. It combines two of my most favorite things (not just my favorite things, my most favorite things!): books and yarn.

Greatyarns

Great Yarns for the Close-Knit Family by Mary Gildersleeve is about to hit the shelves, and I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy. What a gem of an idea: Mary has taken twelve children’s novels, read-alouds her family loved, and created knitting projects to go with each one.

Imagine how tickled I was when I saw my own name on that booklist!

Here’s a peek at the books and their projects, courtesy of the author’s website:

1.      Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi
a.     Pinocchio Doll and Clothes

2.      Canadian Summer by Hilda vanStockum
a.       Mr. Magic’s Gnome Hat
b.      Arthur Purcell’s “Gay” Sweater

3.      The Hobbit or There and Back Again by J.R.R. Tolkein
a.       Bilbo’s Backpack
b.      Bilbo’s Traveling Jacket

4.      Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
a.       Ma’s Boot Socks
b.      Pa’s Red-White Checked Mittens

5.      Little House in the Highlands by Melissa Wiley
a.       Mittens for Laird Alroch & Auld Mary
b.      Tullie Greyshanks Doll and Clothes

6.      The Lost Island by Eilis Dillon
a.     Fisherman’s Jersey
b.      Wool Socks for the Journey

7.      Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers
a.       Mary Poppins’ Carpetbag
b.      Mary Poppins’ Fur-trimmed Gloves

8.      Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater
a.       Captain Cook (penguin doll)
b.      Mr. Popper’s Cozy Scarf

9.      Otto of the Silver Hand by Howard Pyle
a.       Otto’s Chain Mail
b.      Otto’s Scabbard and Belt

10.    Redwall by Brian Jacques
a.       Matthias’ Over-sized Habit
b.      Asmodeus the Snake

11.    The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
a.       Colin’s Rug and Cushion
b.      Mrs. Sowerby’s Cloak

12.    The Wheel on the School by Meindert deJong
a.       Lina’s Stocking Cap
b.      Thick Wools Socks for Linda & Jan

I can’t wait to see that Tullie Greyshanks doll, but I think I’m most excited of all about Bilbo’s Traveling Jacket. I want a Bilbo’s traveling jacket!

I can also say for a certainty that Asmodeus the Snake will be crossing my path in days to come. I’m betting that’s Jane’s first project out of the book.

If you pre-order a copy from its publisher, Hillside Education, you’ll receive a free set of wooden knitting needles. Pre-orders are available through March 8th. I think the book will hit the shelves in mid-March!