No accidents yet....

Well, no mishaps with the circular saw, yet.  Of course, I haven't been using it recently.  I did have a bit of a nasty scare with a ladder and a roof, yesterday...I've decided that I really ought to wait until there is someone else around before I do tricky things.  Falling from the third floor off the north side of the house (away from the road) would be bad for my llama painting schedule.  But the house is almost entirely painted!  Some places have four coats, even.  I've found spots that I would swear have not been painted since the 1860s...

While I juggle paintbrushes, I thought that I would note that I am going to be in Burlington, Vermont for the Burlington Book Festival on Sunday, September 16 and at the NEIBA trade show on September 28 (in Rhode Island).

LLAMA LLAMA MAD AT MAMA comes out in a week, and people have said nice things about it.  When we get around to it, I'll be posting the reviews from Publishers Weekly and Kirkus.  It was on the Booksense Fall 2007 short list of ten, too. YAY!

'K.  That's enough for now.  I have to go make phone calls and send emails, etc....there's so much to do to make sure the kids are set for school...thank goodness I'm not going back, myself.  Although, I must say that it is odd to have all the teachers busy busy busy and not be ordering materials and checking on my room, etc. etc., myself.  Instead, I will be ripping out mouse-infested insulation, talking to my cats, writing stories about talking animals, and getting weirder every day...oh well.

Comments

[Melanie Smith]

Anna,

I have to tell you that I love "Llama, Llama Red Pajama." I bought it to read to my daughter when she was two months old. It is such a sweet story, and has a great rhythm. My daughter is mesmerized by the book. I accidentally memorized the book (or at least parts of it). One time, my daughter became frantic at the doctor's office, and I started reciting the book. She immediately calmed down and stared at me. Months later, it still works like a charm. I have bought this book for every new baby in the last year, and recommended it to many more. Everyone shares my compliments for you. This is such a special book!

Now, I am so excited that Llama, Llama Mad at Mama has come out. It will be my special gift to my daughter for her first birthday this month.

I cannot wait to see more.

Thank you!
Melanie Smith

[Anna Dewdney]

Melanie, thank you so much for your so-kind note. I love the image of your daughter staring at you as you recited the book....it's wonderful that it settled her.

My children stare at me in public, too, often is great amazement that I could ever have done or said whatever it was I did or said at the time...this anguished glaze of "Mom, you are soooo embarrassing!" will come over their faces. You aren't there yet, Melanie, but your time will come. :)