Children’s Literature

That Night: A Spooky Halloween Story

Posted by Sarah L. Thomson on Oct 30, 2020 in Children's Literature, Halloween, Horror | 0 comments

photo by Igor Tigor

Here’s a chilling little tidbit for your Halloween Eve.

I woke up in bed and I had to pee.

 

You know how it is. You lie there for a while, thinking you don’t really have to go that badly. You try to brace yourself for the rush of chilly air that envelops you once you throw the covers back. The slap of cold against the sole of each bare foot when you set it on the floor.

 

But I couldn’t hold out forever. Finally I forced myself out of bed and hurried to the bathroom. I didn’t even turn on the light.

 

When I was done, I felt my way along the dark hallway back toward my room. I heard my mom snoring. My dad rolled over in bed and sighed.

 

My dog brushed up against my leg. I reached down to pet him and felt the scruff of fur on the back of his neck, right where he liked to be scratched. His cold nose bumped my knee.

 

Back in my room, I burrowed under the covers, wrapped up in warmth again.

 

That was when I remembered that our dog died last summer. We buried him in the backyard under the maple tree.

 

So what was it that brushed up against me in the dark?

 

I guess I’m going to have to open the door to my room and find out. Especially since there’s a lot of noise coming from my mom and dad’s room.

 

All that screaming.

Taia Morley to Illustrate A PANDEMIC IS WORLDWIDE

Posted by Sarah L. Thomson on Oct 21, 2020 in American History, BOOK: A Pandemic Is Worldwide, Children's Literature, Illustration | 0 comments

Delighted to announce that the talented Taia Morley will be illustrating A Pandemic Is Worldwide! I love Taia’s work; it’s warm and rich and childlike. I thinks she’ll bring a nice balance to this serious topic.

Writing With Pets

Posted by Sarah L. Thomson on Oct 7, 2020 in Children's Literature, Dog Life, Writing Process | 0 comments

Tessie thinking, “Yeah, your character development needs work in Chapter Three.”

I think all writers’ households should have pets (barring allergy issues and such). There are definitely good reasons to keep furry family members around, such as:

1) They make great, noncritical first readers, as long as you’re willing to read stuff out loud (which you should be doing anyway, since it’s a great way to catch errors or moments of awkwardness.)

2) Long walks are good for thinking out complicated plots, and dogs help with that.

3) It’s important to read a lot to keep up with the field, and cats help with that by insisting–insisting–that you settle down in the comfy armchair with a cup of tea so they can sit on your lap and purr.

4) They are good to hug after rejection letters.

So I’m pleased to announce that, as well as Karma the Puppy of Infinite Appetite, we now have a new furry family member: Tessie. She is still quite shy, but crept out of hiding this morning to sit on my lap in the comfy armchair, so I think she’s going to be great addition.

Keith Mallett to Illustrate Brown Is Warm

Posted by Sarah L. Thomson on Sep 30, 2020 in Book: BROWN IS WARM, Children's Literature, Illustration, Race | 0 comments

Illustrator switch! Erin Robinson was on board to illustrator my upcoming picture book Brown Is Warm, Black Is Bright. Sadly, she had to drop the project.

Happily, a new illustrator has just signed on–Keith Mallett, whose glowing colors and expressive faces will bring a lot of joy and vivacity to the book. I can’t wait to see what it will look like!