hipwritermama

Kimberly over at Lectitans put together a feed of my blog posts for LiveJournal.  I am incredibly grateful to Kimberly for this random act of kindness.   Thank you Kimberly!
 

Here's my challenge to you for this Rejection Mope-jection Monday. Think about your dreams with the key focus being: What Would You Do If You Knew You Could Not Fail? Create your own Mission Statement and be as specific as you can. Identify the who, what, where, when and how, if possible. While it's certainly easy to giggle and joke around because of your discomfort at having to identify the specifics, be serious about this. After all, this is your dream. You don't need a fairy godmother to wave her magic wand. It's all you. You will determine whether you will succeed at grabbing the star, or if you just have plain bad luck. If you'd like, share your mission statement in the comments section or just write it down and put it somewhere where you can see it on a regular basis.

The whole point of this exercise is to be able to visualize your dream so it is incredibly real to you. You can see it--even the very minute details of what is happening when you realize you have achieved your dream.

Here's my Can Do Mission Statement:
I am actively sending out my manuscripts and will have an award winning picture book and sought after YA novel sold to well respected publishing houses by the end of one year, April 2, 2008.

When you think about what you want with a positive can do attitude, and are specific to what you can envision, you are instilling this core belief into your daily actions. No matter what obstacles are thrown in your path, you will be able focus on your can do mission statement and find a way to move forward and work toward your dreams.

For anyone who is ready to write down their can do mission statement in the comment section and make yourself truly accountable to your plan of action, I'll put your name in a drawing to win one of three prizes with a couple surprise inspirational fripperies:

1. The Success Principles: How to Get from Where you Are, to Where You Want to Be, by Jack Canfield
2. Dear Genius: The Letters of Ursula Nordstrom, by Ursula Nordstrom
3. Oh, The Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss

Rules:

1. Think about your dreams with the focus of What would you do if you knew you could not fail?
2. Write down a specific can do mission statement in the comment section.
3. Due to holidays and tax day, the deadline to post a comment is Wednesday, April 18th.
4. Let's keep comments positive and encouraging so people feel safe posting their dreams here.
5. Any negative comments will be deleted.
6. Check out my main blog at http://hipwritermama.blogspot.com to see other comments.

What would you do if you knew you could not fail?

Oh my goodness. I just finished reading Shrimp by Rachel Cohn and am in love. This is the third book I've read by Rachel Cohn over the past few months or so, and I must say, this talented writer can create these loveable one of a kind characters, flaws and all. This wonderful book is the sequel to Gingerbread, Cohn's first novel, which I enjoyed, but the sequel, Shrimp, just takes it to a whole new level.

Cyd Charisse, known as C.C. in this book, is still the ever resourceful, determined, observant, smart, hip, match making girl from Gingerbread. But in the book Shrimp, she's comes onto her own and learns how to make friends with girls her age, lets her mother into her life, gets her boyfriend back, finds her strong convictions regarding the love of her life's parents and school, helps her friends and half brother, and discovers herself in the process. Nothing like being true to yourself. I highly recommend this book. Note: There is mature content in this book.

And now, A Sunday's List of Strong Girl Role Models in Children's Literature:

1. C.C. (Cyd Charisse), her mother Nancy, gal pals Helen and Autumn, and Sugar Pie from Shrimp by Rachel Cohn, ages 14 and up, mature content: C.C. is just the coolest girl. She finally starts making friends with girls her age, Helen and Autumn. These girls are smart and talented. They help each other out and cheer each other on. C.C.'s mother, Nancy, develops from a pathetic mother in Gingerbread, to loving mom who is a total pain but is really trying to understand her daughter. C.C. is amazed at new things she learns about her mother. Sugar Pie is just as hip as ever, telling C.C., when C.C. is worried about how she's gonna tell Shrimp about her secret, "It's a hurdle to get over...This is when you have to remember some people have no feet." C.C. is one gal who is true to herself. What a great book.

2. Cyd Charisse and Sugar Pie from Gingerbread by Rachel Cohn, ages 14 and up, mature content: Cyd Charisse, "recovering hellion" is booted out of boarding school. She moves back in with her mother and stepdad, finds a new boyfriend, Shrimp, and generally finds ways to disrupt the household. At first I found it rather sad that her one true friend, is Sugar Pie, a very cool clairvoyant older lady who lives in an assisted living facility. But, this friendship is very much needed. Sugar Pie gives Cyd Charisse the much needed love, kindness and support that is somewhat lacking from her own mother. Eventually, Cyd Charisse is sent to spend some time with her biological father. Cyd is a strong, independent gal who is incredibly resourceful. Good book.

3. Margaret, her mother, her grandma Sylvia Simon from Are You There God, It's Me Margaret, ages 11 and up: I was nervous when I finally picked up this book to reread as an adult. This was after all my coveted guidebook to puberty when I was growing up. My friends and I secretly had copies of Are You There God, It's Me Margaret circulating around, reverantly keeping up those bust exercises, giggling with relief when we read about training bras and periods. This book was quite influential in keeping us all sane with answers to certain questions we were sometimes nervous about asking our own mothers.

I really enjoyed reading this book again as an adult. Nothing like a flashback of preteen awkwardness to make me totally appreciate how much I need to be prepared to help my kids get through their preteen insecurities. Are You There God, It's Me Margaret is wonderful book for preteens who are dealing with their insecurities of puberty, friendship, faith and finding their own way to talk to God.

I admit to being a bit prudish with some parts of the book. Whoa, Spin the Bottle and Two Minutes in the Closet? And already rumors about a girl getting it on with a couple of boys? But then I look at the preteen and teen kids out there in my town, and think, maybe this is too much of a reality and I need to readjust my attitude on this one. But...do I really have to?

Margaret is the new kid in town and makes some new friends. She gains confidence as she learns more about how her body will eventually mature. She learns that rumors are not always true, that she has her own way of talking to God, and she is okay the way she is. She has some wonderful support in her own mother and grandma. She can talk to these two ladies and tell them about her concerns and they each help Margaret in their own way.

4. Sheila from Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume, ages 8 and up: Okay, Sheila has a rather minor role in this book, which is about Peter Hatcher and his problem of a younger brother, Fudge. This book is a great depiction of life with a pain in the butt younger sibling who just simply gets into all of your things because he has you up on a pedestal. Oh poor Peter. And his clueless parents. But. They finally make up for it in the end. As for Sheila, know it all classmate of Peter. Sheila loves being in charge. She makes sure she clarifies things, organizes things and wants to make sure she gets credit for doing the job right. She might not be the best team player, but she sure knows when to stand up for herself and when to compromise.

I had a hard time sleeping last night, so I got up and started reading The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler. It was probably the wrong thing to do, because I couldn't put the book down. And stayed up to the early morning to finish the book. I was just amazed at how Carolyn Mackler was able to weave so many different layers into this book.

This book is about a girl named Virginia Shreves, who has major body issues and creates a Fat Girl Code of Conduct for dealing with boys. She's kissing a boy from school, Froggy, but knows she is not girlfriend material because of her weight. So Virginia never acknowledges Froggy in school since she doesn't embarrass him. She just meets him every week for a kissing exchange. That just made me so sad.

Then enter Virginia's perfect thin family, albeit a dysfunctional family. Virginia feels she doesn't fit into her beautiful, thin, intelligent family. Her mother and father are never around. They are determined to help Virginia lose weight. Never mind they make her feel bad. And her brother...well Virginia realizes she had her brother on a pedestal way too long.

Virginia's best friend is across the country for the school year, leaving Virginia with no one to hang out with. The queen bee of the school and her sidekicks would rather be dead than look fat. Virginia's self esteem is so low, she doesn't think anyone wants to be friends with her because she is fat.

Isn't this all sad? But, there is hope. Virginia has a cool teacher who offers support and encouragement. She meets her best friend in Seattle. Away from her parents. And starts an adventure of appreciating herself and liking who she is without the parental pressure of who she should be.

The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things is simply a wonderful read. It will make you think about perceived body images, fitting in at school and home, relationships with parents and siblings, whether you are selling yourself short and what you are worth.

And now A Sunday's List of Strong Girl Role Models in Children's Literature:

1. Virginia Shreves and teacher Ms. Crowley from The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler, ages 15 and up: Virginia Shreves just kicks butt in this book. She starts off with very low esteem in this book. After a few unfortunate events, Virginia examines her life and realizes she is worth so much more. She gets involved with life, takes up kickboxing, shows independence, organizes a webzine for the school, and speaks up for herself to her family. She is one strong girl.

Virginia's teacher, Ms. Crowley is incredibly empathetic because she understood how it felt like to have weight issues. However, she wanted to make sure Virginia didn't let it control how she saw herself. Ms. Crowley let Virginia know that it was okay to explore making new friends. She also gave Virginia a wonderful, hopeful book about young women who were "rebelling against the body norms."

2. Aunt Sarah from Surrender by Sonya Hartnett, ages 16 and up: This beautifully written book is for older teens who are mature enough to handle a psychological thriller. Despite the disturbing nature of the book, it was so difficult to put down because of the beauty of the language. When I first read this book, I was so impressed with Aunt Sarah. She has a small role in the book, but she played a big role in the care of her nephew, Gabriel as he was sick and dying. Gabriel didn't want to have his parents around him, so when he asked for Aunt Sarah, she came to take care of him. After all the twists and turns of this book, I found out who Aunt Sarah was, and all I could think was, oh my. Still, anyone who takes care of someone who is ill, that person automatically makes it as a strong person.

3. Roxie from roxie and the hooligans by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, ages 8 and up: I was so disturbed by Surrender, I had to read roxie and the hooligans to take the edge off. You will simply cheer for Roxie, a little girl who has big ears that stick out a bit. She is bullied by the mean Helvetia's Hooligans. After the Hooligans chase Roxie, they land into quite an adventure. Roxie was always afraid of things but remembers Lord Thistlebottom's Book of Pitfalls and How To Survive Them. Turns out she is quite brave, resourceful and even helps her bullies out! I loved the little tip from Lord Thistlebottom's book...Do not panic.

4. Melanie from The Diary of Melanie Martin: or how I Survived Matt the Brat, Michelango, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa by Carol Weston, ages 9 and up: This cute book in diary form takes place on a family vacation in Italy. You'll learn a few Italian words and a bit about Italian culture. Melanie thinks her parents always side with her little brother, Matt. This family vacation has a few mishaps. As a result, Melanie realizes she has a great parents and even a good little brother. She stands up for her mother, protects her brother and writes a great poem about her vacation to bring back to school.

5. Little Sister from The Day I Swapped my Dad for Two Goldfish by Neil Gaiman, ages 4-8: This creative book is a little disturbing if you take it at face value. Boy trades Dad for 2 goldfish. Little Sister rats boy out to Mom. And Little Sister is keeping boy on track to get good old Dad back. Thank goodness for sisters. And while the ending is somewhat funny, it is a bit disturbing. But that one is for you to decide.

What do you get when you combine a free verse style novel with a hopeful teen who dreams and sacrifices for the love of ballet? Add a bit of competition, an ambitious family, and a grandfather who was right all along and you get a beautiful flowing novel, On Pointe, by readergirlz diva Lorie Ann Grover.

On Pointe, narrated by Clare, dances along the pages with gracefulness and poignancy. The simplicity of the words emphasized Clare's struggles with her sacrifices and dream of being a dancer, her concern over her friend Rosella's eating disorder, her worries over her family's dreams for her future, her anxiety over her tall body, her embarassment with any contact with the pathetic adult dancing class, her conflict over failure and success, and her disbelief over her grandfather's words, "You are already a dancer."

For a moment, while reading about the body image issues of these ballet students, I thought of when my eldest child wanted to take ballet lessons a few years ago. I found a local class taught by a former Boston Ballet ballerina and was just incredibly impressed by how the teacher was able to instill an incredible amount of dedication, discipline and precision among a group of five year old children. After a year of classes, my child decided it just wasn't for her. She loved dancing, but was not really interested in becoming a ballerina. Imagine my shock when my daughter mentioned that ballerinas were really thin and she just didn't look like that. At five years old!

So when 15 year old Clare is worried about how her body is growing and is concerned about her friend Rosella's eating disorder, it made me really sad that growing teenagers are so worried about their bodies. Forget the fact they are following a dream. And when Rosella admits her mother told her it was okay, it made me so angry a parent could risk a child's health. On Pointe, is really on point as we are reminded how parents can create stress in a teen's life, in the guise of being supportive of the teen's dreams. And how teens have their own worries and their own dreams.

Go and read On Pointe by Lorie Ann Grover. You will think about your hopes and dreams, what you are willing to sacrifice to accomplish your goals, and who you are if you succeed in following your dreams or "fail" in accomplishing your dreams.

And now, A Sunday's List of Strong Girl Role Models in Children's Literature:

1. Clare and Mabel from On Pointe by Lorie Ann Grover, ages 12 and up: Clare is a good friend as she confronts Rosella about her eating disorder. She struggles with her dream and how her family will react if she fails. Clare is finally able to talk to her mother about her own dream. She realizes she is "already a dancer" as her grandfather has told her many times before. When life changes for Clare's family, Clare is incredibly supportive and loving of her grandfather. Mabel is the new caregiver for Clare's grandfather. She is just one huggable woman as she takes charge of Clare's grandfather's daily routine. Mabel adds enthusiasm, strength, and hope into Clare's family. She tells Clare it was okay to dance just for herself.

2. Melinda from Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, ages 15 and up: Melinda finds herself a teenage outcast because she called the cops at an end-of-summer party. Melinda has lost her voice and finds comfort in her art class. Melinda's parents have no clue. Thankfully, Melinda's art teacher sees Melinda is having some sort of crisis and tries to help Melinda find an outlet for her pain. Melinda has been raped by a popular high schooler, which makes her even more afraid to say something. But her strength and courage is so evident when she realizes her former friend started dating this popular student. Melinda learns to fight back and speaks for herself and other girls who have been raped. A truly powerful book.

3. Patricia and her babushka (grandmother) from My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother by Patricia Polacco, ages 4-8: Little Patricia lives with her brother, mother and grandparents. Her babushka tells the most amazing stories and tells Patricia about wishes on stars. Patricia yearns to be better than her brother at something and is one determined little girl to make that happen.

4. Tricia and her mother from Rotten Ritchie and the Ultimate Dare by Patricia Polacco, ages 4-8: This book is a sequel to My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother. Tricia and her rotten brother Richie are always fighting about things. The latest fight is about ballet and hockey--which is harder? Tricia enjoys ballet and Richie loves hockey. Their mother tells them nothing should matter as long as both enjoy what they are doing. Richie teases Tricia in school about ballet, and spunky Tricia pushes back and triple dares Richie to dance in her recital if he thinks it's so easy. Richie ends up agreeing as long as she agrees to play in a hockey game. You will be cheering Tricia on as she maneuvers through her dare quite gracefully. You'll even cheer on her obnoxious brother. I think this book is hands down the best picture book Patricia Polacco has written that I've read so far.

5. Violet from Arthur's Back to School Day by Lillian Hoban, ages 4-8: This early reader book is just sweet. Arthur and his sister Violet are waiting for the bus on the first day of school. Violet tells Arthur she put a secret surprise in her lunchbox and Arthur tells Violet it's not a surprise if she put it in. It didn't matter to Violet...she still stood up for what she believed in. After a lunchbox adventure and mixup occurs, Violet ends up saving Arthur's day with her lunchbox secret surprise. What a great sister!

6. Becca from The Patch by readergirlz diva Justina Chen Headley, ages 4-8: Aspiring five year old ballerina Becca has to wear eyeglasses and an eyepatch to treat amblyopia. She is brave, smart and creative. Join her on her adventure as she returns to school with her eyepatch and eyeglasses. She charms her schoolmates and convinces them they want to look like her too!

My middle child was diagnosed with food allergies when she was almost 4 months old. She was tested for many things because of this unbelievable rash that literally covered her from head to toe. It was the rash on her head that was particularly gruesome--her scalp was just a yellow oozing mess. Turns out after many painful tests--physical for my little one and emotional for me--we found out not only did my daughter have this infantile immune deficiency, which was causing the infection on her head to spread, but she was also allergic to peanuts, dairy and dairy proteins, egg protein and shellfish. And she never ate any of these things. I did. Oh yes, my precious little one who caused people to quickly avert their eyes in horror because of the viscous mass of yellow on her sweet head, was allergic to the very food I ate, which showed up in the breastmilk. How's that for cross contamination?

At four months old, middle child was treated with a daily dose of antibiotics for a year to improve her the immune system. Her scalp healed in a few months and her hair slowly started to grow. Every year, middle child gets these dreaded blood tests to check on her immune system and food allergies. Her immune system is steadily improving but we still need to start aggressive treatment whenever she is getting a cold. For some reason, her delicate skin starts flaring up and her small lungs get globs of junk in them, making her struggle for every precious breath. It's funny, as difficult as this is, sometimes it's not as hard as dealing with the food allergies. Because with every cold that turns into bronchiolitis or pneumonia, I know things will soon pass within a week or two. With the food allergies, there is no break. Not one.

You'd think after six years, I'd have this food allergy thing down pat. And for the most part I have. I've found ways to manage food in the household, go to grocery stores and restaurants, deal with parents and schools, survive kid's birthday parties and find support from family. And make it a point to stay extra vigilant. For me, the thing that is sometimes hard to deal with is the emotional aspect of the food allergies and the overwhelming isolation that comes from helplessness and solitary confinement.

This feeling immobilizes me at times, so over the past few years, it was incredibly important for me to make sure my daughter has plenty of self-esteem, confidence and strength to deal with food allergies before she started school. All. Because. I don't want her to be the kid who is taunted and perhaps even threatened with some food allergic item. I don't want her to be a kid who will eat whatever someone gives her because she doesn't want to say no to an adult or is afraid of being teased. Or be labelled as "because of that food allergic kid we can't..." Or act like a victim and whine about why she can't eat something. And I certainly don't want my daughter to feel bad about herself because she is different.

I want my child to know and understand her food allergies, food choices and reactions. I want her to know she is powerful and accountable for her body and health. My child needs to know that sometimes despite the best of intentions, people don't always have her best interest at heart. And know how to deal with friends and adults when they ask or complain about food allergies. Because of this, she needs to be confident enough to say no and to question an adult.

I want my child to experience wonderful friendships free from the clutter of food allergies. I want my daughter to have the confidence and self-esteem to know that food allergies do not define her and limit her. And celebrate her uniqueness and strength within her to fluff off whatever is thrown her way.

She needs this incredible confidence, this heady self-esteem, this glowing sense of empowerment, because I won't be with her all the time. It was so easy when she was little. So, so easy. I was her advocate and able to either prevent or deal with allergic reactions. Now it's another story. Middle child is in school and I now have to trust others will cooperate to keep my child safe. To ensure this, I have an extra special secret weapon. My delightful child. With her sassy can do attitude, her quick charming wit, fierce stare down, and uncanny ability to grill an adult about food ingredients until he/she sweats, I know my child is well prepared to take charge of her food allergies with agility and style. Now that's what I'm talking about.

Oh my, nothing like going around the kidlitosphere to find things that just make me smile:

The March issue of The Edge of the Forest is up. Thanks to Kelly and the contributing writers for some good reading.

7-Imp has a wonderful post about finding the wonderful things about your week and cyber-gathering over the weekend to discuss the good things in life.

Miss Erin is looking for some fun games for a group of 8-10 teen guys and gals.

A Blue Rose Girl's beautiful post about friendship and dreams. Okay, this post made me smile and cry.

Lisa Yee has done it again and come up with a hilarious Blog-a-Story-a-Thon. The first line of the Blog-a-Story-a-Thon starts off with the first line from Lisa's new book, So Totally Emily Ebers: "Today was the last day of school, and the second saddest day of my entire life." You simply must go and read this for a wonderful laugh out loud, happy day. And if you dare, go and contribute a line.

I've had a few days to wallow in my self-pity and have had enough of Rejection reeling me into its dark web, sticking random thoughts of defeat in my mind. Funny...I've finally gained the confidence in my manuscripts to send out to publishers, and all it took was a Rejection Letter from an editor to prick a big ole hole in my newfound assurance, suck the bloody life out of it and quickly crumple it into a tiny ball to be kicked around for a bit.

So...what's a wannabe children's author gonna do? Besides mope around for a day or two or more? After a bit of thought, I decided it was time to assess whether my writing was a passing hobby or something I loved enough to accept the entire ride of the highs and lows. Am I just a casual writer? Or am I passionate about writing a good story--a true Writer?

Rejection. This tough nine letter word held me at bay and made me question what I've wanted to do ever since I was a young girl. All because of a packet in the mail. Because no matter how you slice it and dice it, when you get a self-addressed packet back in the mail, you already know it doesn't contain the greatest of news. Sigh...

Well, after a few late nights re-evaluating my rejection letter, my manuscripts and my passions, I decided it was time to blow up that tiny ball of newfound assurance into a strong, gigantic bouncing ball of hope, confidence and self-empowerment. It's time to reject the moping around, add an amazing reserve of resilience and throw in tremendous energy to work it, rework it, and then rework it some more.

I finally chose to see this personalized rejection letter as a positive thing. And am ever so grateful the editor of this imprint wrote to me. This gives me the extra push to work on this piece and research other publishers.

I find writing to be so joyful and yet it can also be intense and lonely. Nothing like feeling a bit vulnerable, writing things down and hoping someone will appreciate your special combination of words. I've decided to post encouraging thoughts on Mondays for an extra boost of confidence to start off my writing week.

What have you done to get over a slump?

Truth: Justina Chen Headley's book Nothing But The Truth (and a few white lies) gives a remarkable insight to our differences, our insecurities and sense of belonging. Patty Ho is a self-deprecating fifteen year old who unwittingly learns self-acceptance, confidence and self-empowerment through people she would never have given half a chance to before. This is a funny, heartbreaking story that mixes culture, teenage confusion, and an unlikely support system into a wonderful celebration of our differences.

Truth: Nothing But The Truth (and a few white lies) was a tough book for me to read. Emotionally that is. There were so many things that were so spot on to my teenage years, sometimes painful yet humorous. From Mama's Lectures...comparison shopping of children's accomplishments...brand name college wars...feeling uncomfortable in my own skin...being "yellow struck"...people making assumptions about me because I'm Asian...I could go on and on. Just like I wish I had Grace Lin's book The Year of the Dog while I was in grade school, I wish I had Justina Chen Headley's book Nothing But The Truth (and a few white lies) when I was a teenager. I bet I'd have been able to deal with my identity crisis a whole lot better in my teenage years. It's amazing how over (ahem...) twenty something years have passed, and the same uncomfortable feelings of self doubt and insecurity crashed over me while reading this book. And made me ever so grateful for the support of my high school friends and best girlfriend from my Ivy League university--yes, my parents won on this one.

Truth: This book is wonderful. Go out and find a copy to read.

And now...A Sunday's List of Strong Girl Role Models In Children's Literature.

1. 15 year old Patty Ho, camp friends Anne and Jasmine, Auntie Lu, and Patty's mother from Nothing But The Truth (and a few white lies) by Justina Chen Headley, ages 15 and up: Patty is a sweet self-deprecating teenager who is half Taiwanese and half white and doesn't feel she belongs to either culture. She undergoes a wonderful Aha! moment after talking to her Math Camp TA and realizes she has been shortchanging herself. She goes through a wonderful journey of self empowerment and discovery and realizes she has the best of both worlds.

Auntie Lu is loving and supportive and helps Patty find the truth about her mother. Oh the heartbreaking story of Patty's mother...this totally killed me. I found out how strong Patty's mother was for her daughter and son, and totally cheered her on. When I analyzed this a bit more and thought of all the stories out there of what parents, and especially immigrant parents, have had to overcome to raise their children in the United States, I am humbled and grateful. It makes me understand the Mama Lectures and different ways of thinking even more.

Patty's friends Jasmine and Anne support and empower her at Math Camp. Anne stands up for Patty and proves geeks can be cool. Jasmine is "so comfortable in her skin that she could color outside of race lines, even scribble across a bright white girl." She tells Patty, "Being smart is sexy. And any guy who doesn't think so is too stupid to waste a single brain cell on..." Truly powerful words!

2. 12th Wise Woman and The Princess from Sleeping Bobby by husband and wife team Will Osborne and Mary Pope Osborne (author of the Magic Tree House series), ages 4-8: A fun twist to this retelling of the much loved classic fairy tale, Sleeping Beauty. The King and Queen have a royal feast to celebrate Prince Bob's birth and especially invite the kingdom's 12 Wise Women, neglecting the 13th because there wasn't enough china. Tsk, tsk. The 13th Wise Woman shows up, all miffed and ready to spread her discontent to little Prince Bob. The 12th Wise Woman used her power and quick thinking to deflect the evil wish into something dramatic befitting a Prince. A "kind, clever, modest,, and very lovely princess" who was also quite adventurous and curious like Prince Bob saves the day by taking it upon herself to kiss Prince Bob because he was so handsome. A tale worthy for any young adventurous gal.

3. The Queen and the Frog Princess from The Frog Princess by Laura Cecil, ages 4 - 8: Retellings of classic fairy tales seem to be a theme here. This delightful picture book is a fun retelling of The Frog Prince. The wise Queen has three sons and tells them they must find a bride. She sets three tests for each bride to complete. The bride that wins the tests will win the kingdom for the son. Third son, Prince Marco puts his trust and faith in the little frog. The little frog has utmost confidence and unequivocally wins each test. Lo and behold, when the little frog finally knows Prince Marco will marry her, she unveils her true identity...Princess under an evil spell. Charming watercolor illustrations add to this whimsical, clever tale.

4. Oonagh from Finn MacCoul and His Fearless Wife: A Giant of a Tale from Ireland by Robert Byrd, ages 4 - 10: The Salmon of Knowledge foretells Celtic Giant Finn MacCoul's future, "A woman's wit and courage will win you the day!" Enter Finn MacCoul's clever fearless wife, Oonagh who makes Finn tell her his troubles. Bully Cucullin is on his way. Oonagh plays her Sacred Faery Harp for some magic advice, then uses her industry and wit to stand up to the bully. This is an enjoyable picture book with exuberant colorful illustrations that show quite a bit of action. Celtic tales really know how to celebrate the woman!

Amazing how a book people never heard of, comes out of nowhere to win the 2007 Newbury Award for Children's Literature, then gets people all hot and bothered about the 12 step program and ONE word that's found in some other books,  is banned from some libraries, and yet the naysayers haven't all read this. Cohorts Mary Lee and Franki from A Year of Reading have some great posts to share regarding this controversy. Here's Lisa Yee's take on this craziness. More importantly, take a look at Susan Patron's reaction to all this hoopla regarding her 2007 Newbury Award book, The Higher Power of Lucky.

And if you're interested in finding out about other books that have been banned at one point or another, or want to take the banned books challenge, check out Fahrenheit 451's blog. The Pelham Public Library of Fonthill, Ontario discusses the censorship of books in this blog.

One word. Twelve steps. One award winning book. Absolute mayhem. Now that's some kind of "sneaky" power writers have, isn't it?

Visit my HipWriterMama blog to see my Sunday's List of Strong Girl Role Models in Children's Literature. Thank you!

I just found Robin Brande's post on her Great Decluttering Experiment. So brave. So daring. Why did I have to find this now? I've been meaning to work on the clutter for awhile. I really have. But life takes over and paperwork gets put aside. Before I can say Abracadabra, the kids' artwork and school stuff is mixed with my husband's office work and my writing piles. And this is just my dining room. Not the best way to coexist in this crazy household of five. Certainly not the best environment for creative thinking.

Okay, well Robin threw out the challenge and I have to take up the gauntlet. For the sake of my family. See what a great sport I am? See what a great Valentine's Day gift I'm giving to the ones I love?

Truly, the greatest beneficiary of this kind, unselfish act, inspired on this hopeful Day of Love, will be me. Yes, it's all about me. This clutter won't be in my face, taunting me at every turn, "Soon I'll be so powerful, I'll take over your entire life. You won't be able to think. Nothing can destroy me!" So here's to my new project: Clutter Organization Now, otherwise known as CON. When this distasteful project is complete, I will have more time for positive, creative energy. I'll have more space to spread out and write. And there will be peace in my house so I can focus more on writing. No more sudden panicked interruptions of, "I can't find this. I need it now!" No more pathetic excuses. Too hopeful? Perhaps, but a girl's gotta have big dreams.

All I need is time and an organized place to put everything. The first order of business is finding a great file cabinet for all the paperwork. You know, one that looks like a nice piece of furniture that I can stick in the corner so I have everything at my fingertips...

Come over to my blog and check out my list of this week's Strong Girl Role Models in Children's Literature!

tough
night
two kids sick
sleepless, coughing, yick
need to function, must make coffee

I just had to see what LiveJournal was all about.  While I'm figuring this all out, come visit me at my blog HipWriterMama.  Thanks for your patience while I'm getting this up and running.