Where's That Shiny New Sticker Going to Go?!

Congrats to Tanita Davis for her Coretta Scott King honor award for Mare's War. Here's a summary.

Alternating between present and past, the story of Marey Lee Boylen's service in the African American unit of the Women’s Army Corp (WAC) unfolds against the backdrop of a roadtrip with her bickering granddaughters. Mare's story is told as she experienced life in the 40's, and as such is filled details about day-to-day life during the war, the humiliations of segregation (even in the army), and the role of WACs in World War II.

Where do you think they'll put that shiny new sticker?

Miss Rumphius meets The Joy of Children's Literature

I find it a bit disturbing that I have now taken to introducing myself as Miss Rumphius. After all, I don't look anything like the lady in the book, though I do try to act like her. I guess if you know me through blogging, it isn't really so strange. Today while the morning conference session was breaking up and we were heading to lunch, I walked by a woman who looked familiar (sort of). I caught of glimpse of her name tag which read Denise Johnson, College of William and Mary. It took a minute for that to register. When I realized who she was I walked over and said "Are you The Joy of Children's Literature? I'm Miss Rumphius!"

If you've met your blogging or online acquaintances in real life, you know how much fun it can be. I got to spend lunch talking to Denise about books. I also learned how amazing she is when she received an award given to outstanding teacher educators. Did you know she went back to the classroom for a year to serve as a reading specialist and while there earned National Board Certification? THAT is an amazing feat.

I'm thrilled to have met her. Here's the very blurry photographic proof. (She's the tall, striking one!)
If you haven't been to her blog, what are you waiting for? (BTW, she has written a book by the very same name, The Joy of Children's Literature. You should check that out too!)

Little Mice for My Blogging Friends

Sometimes I see things on the web and I immediately think of someone I know only through blogging. Odd, isn't it? I saw these today and thought of:

Susan at Wizards Wireless

Harry Potter Mouse

Jama at Jama Rattigan's Alphabet Soup

Beatles Mice

Michelle at Scholar's Blog

Dr Who Mouse

Adrienne at What Adrienne Thinks About That and John Green at Sparks Fly Up and Nerdfighters

Abercrombie the Zombie Mouse
(because zombies are so much better than unicorns)

There are many other mice that might strike your fancy. There are several Harry Potter themed mice, Star Wars mice, a chef mouse (also appropriate for Jama), artist mice and more. Stop by the House of Mouse and check out these adorable creations. At the very least, you must look at the sad little one-eared Vincent Van Gogh Mouse. Now, if only there was Jane Austen mouse ...

Thanks to Julie at Children's Illustration for the introduction to this wonderful Etsy site.