Blog Archives

International Day of Friendship

7/31/2024

International Day of Friendship

I had never heard of the International Day of Friendship until the publication of my children's book, Will You Be Friends with Me? four years ago. Enjoy these fun facts, share with your friends, and above all, be a friend to others, even those with whom you disagree.

The United Nations declared July 30 as International Day of Friendship in 2011 as a way to promote peace and promise rather than division and destruction between peoples of all cultures. Friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities.

July 30 is the official day, but every day can be a Day of Friendship. To celebrate International Day of Friendship, I am donating Will You Be Friends with Me? to a wonderful, local afterschool tutoring program called Casa de Amistad in your honor.

Let's all enjoy being a good friend on International Day of Friendship, and every day. I'd love to hear of new and interesting friendships you make along the way!

A few of my favorite Bible verses on friendship:

A sweet friendship refreshes the soul. (Proverbs 27:9, MSG)

I have called you friends. (John 15:15, NRSVU)

Therefore, encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.
(I Thessalonians 5:11, NRSVU)

Click here to discover more about Will You Be Friends With Me?

This post was previously published, but relevant still!

The "Flag-United-Nations-Logo" above is by Prachatai is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

0 Comments

Newbery and Caldecott Awards & the American Library Association Convention

7/2/2024

0 Comments

What a fabulous experience!

This past weekend I attended the American Library Association Conference at the San Diego Convention Center, overlooking the gorgeous southern California bay. It was wonderful to see good friends and meet so many people at the book signing for The Worst Christmas Ever.

Author Dave Eggers received the Newbery Award for The Eyes & The Impossible; an imaginative fantasy about a dog, friendship, and liberation. Author Vashti Harrison received the Caldecott Award for BIG; A picture book about the power of words to both build up a person and to bring them down.

The ceremony also honored my fellow San Diego author Pam Muñoz Ryan with the Children's Literature Legacy Award. Pam has written many books; my favorite is Echo about a young boy lost in the Black Forest who finds himself in a puzzling quest involving prophecy, a promise, and a harmonica. I loved my harmonica when I was growing up and now my oldest son, Chris, owns it. Echo is a Newbery Honor Award winner.

I have a special place in my heart for librarians and the great work they do getting books into the hands of children and adults, and standing up against banning books, too.

Newbery Awards

The Newbery Award is given each year for the book chosen as the best middle-grade book from the previous year. I only learned as an adult that many of the books I loved as a child were Newbery Award winners. When I first began writing books for children in the early 1990's, I decided to learn about all the authors. I was curious about their lives and creative process. I met and interviewed many of the winners, and wrote a book about the first 75 Newbery award winners: Winning Authors Profiles of the Newbery Medalists . I made it a goal to own every Newbery book ever written, and have kept up with buying and reading the winner each year. I haven't been able to attend the ALA conference or awards ceremony since moving to California, so it was extra special it to be there this year.

I'd love to hear what your favorite books from childhood. Comment below!

0 Comments

Awards

2013
Distinguished Alumna of Princeton Theological Seminary

2014
David Steele
Distinguished Writer
The most prestigious award given by the Presbyterian Writers Guild

International Day of Friendship

Newbery and Caldecott Awards & the American Library Association Convention

What a fabulous experience!

Newbery Awards

Awards

Please share your comments

Archives

Categories

I hope You'll sign up for my monthly newsletter

Website designed by

International Day of Friendship

Newbery and Caldecott Awards & the American Library Association Convention

What a fabulous experience!

Newbery Awards

Awards

Please share your comments

Archives

Categories​

I hope You'll sign up for my monthly newsletter

Website designed by

Categories