World Read Aloud Day

 

World Read Aloud Day is celebrated the first Wednesday of every February. As picture book authors, we talk a lot about readaloudability. We want and need our books to be read/wanted to be read over and over by children without annoying the parents reading to them. Today, let's celebrate the importance of reading aloud to children and opening new worlds of imagination and learning. Grab a favorite book, snuggle up with your kiddos and enjoy some stories, old and new, today on World Read Aloud Day.

To learn more, visit LitWorld.

Happy reading! 

**Images from LitWorld.

Living with Attention

 

StoryStorm takes place each year in January. The goal is to come up with 30 story ideas in the 31 days of January. Each day, a new post arrives with a daily dose of inspiration and motivation. Some are fun, some are serious, and all are very helpful. But, some really hit home. One such post this year did so for me and started me thinking seriously about my writing.

Day 15 featured Marcie Colleen, author of numerous acclaimed books for young readers, discussing the Quiet Work of Noticing. Colleen said, "...noticing is a choice. Attention shapes meaning." 

As writers, we talk about story ideas being everywhere. We just need to pay attention to our surroundings and listen to those around us. However, Colleen's words about this really spoke to me and brought new meaning to the ideas of noticing and attention. 

She said...

"Living with attention means slowing down enough to notice what usually gets brushed past. A feeling that lingers. A moment that makes you pause. A thought that quietly returns when everything else moves on. These are small things. They're easy to miss. And they're exactly where stories begin."

Yes! I really need to work on the slowing down enough to notice all, but I plan to work on it. Thank you for the brilliant advice, Marcie! And thank you, Tara Lazar, for StoryStorm each year. It is truly an inspiration. 

To learn more about StoryStorm, visit Tara Lazar's blog & website. 

To learn more about Marcie Colleen, visit her site at https://www.thisismarciecolleen.com/.

Happy New Year!

As we say good bye to 2025 and lean into 2026, I wanted to say I wish you all a very Happy New Year filled with many blessings, good health, prosperity, well-being and much abundance. I hope all your wishes and desires come true, and I pray our world experiences peace and light for all. God bless you and yours. May 2026 be your best year yet!