owls in the family

“One May morning my friend Bruce and I went for a hike on the prairie.

Spring was late that year in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Snowdrifts still clung along the steep banks of the river in the shelter of the cottonwood trees. The river was icy with thaw water and, as we crossed over the Railroad Bridge, we could feel a cold breath rising from it. But we felt another breath, a gentle one, blowing across the distant wheat fields and smelling like warm sun shining on soft mud. It was the spring wind, and the smell of it made us walk faster. We were in a hurry to get out of the city and into the real prairie, where you can climb a fence post and see for about a million miles – that’s how flat the prairie is.

The great thing about Saskatoon was the way it ended sharp all around its edge. There were no outskirts to Saskatoon. When you stepped off the end of the Railroad Bridge you stepped right onto the prairie and there you were – free as the gophers. …

But this day Bruce and I weren’t interested in gophers. We were looking for an owl’s-nest. We had decided that we wanted some pet owls, and if you want pet owls you have to find a nest and get the young ones out of it.”

Currently reading Owls in the Family by Farley Mowat, originally published in 1961.  Billy and family bring two new pets into their household—only they’re not of the typical domesticated ilk—they’re owls.  Wol and Weeps incite mayhem and wreak all sorts of havoc at their new digs and in their neighborhood.  Owls in the Family is a delight to read so far. That’s our pick for this week’s #classicchapterbooks.  Head over to @the.book.report to see what classic she’s sharing today.

miss moon: wise words from a dog governess

Behind every well-trained dog is an exceptional dog governess.  One such individual is Miss Moon, a paragon of grace and coifed style.  She offers sage advice with a good measure of playfulness that both canines and humans might do well to heed.  My favorite — “A good book will chase away the dark.”  Janet Hill’s style is classic, elegant and considered with a touch of whimsy, like her words.  One of my favorite books this year.  Miss Moon: Wise Words from a Dog Governess was published by Tundra Books. 

little lit fest

This weekend we had our first ever #littlelitfest, an event celebrating books, reading and community.  

We made bookmarks at #littlelitfest with vintage library cards, Le Petit Elefant’s brilliant stamp and Sakura gelly roll pens (some of my favorite pens of all time).

 

You can't ever have enough bookplates—another thing we made at our event.  Stamp by Yellow Owl Workshop.

 

Makers’ chaos—always a wonderful sight to see—the mess, the creative spirit and sparks of imagination all converging to produce something new and uniquely our own.

 

Little hands and concentration.  Making reading journals and bookmarks.

 

We packed sunny yellow suitcases for our attendees.  Thank you to all the amazing people who supported our event: Lately Lily, Isabel Roxas, Scout Books, Red Cap Cards, Sakura and Zig Zag City Guides.

 

Yes.  Yes, it is. The afternoon was a flurry of endless talk, incredible company, book crafting, making, creating and boundless kid energy.  Looking forward to our next #littlelitfest.  Remember people, #readingisrad!

how this book was made

Mac Barnett and Adam Rex team up again, this time to elucidate the lengthy process of putting a book out into the world.  They deliver many wry insights into the countless drafts, dozens of people and slow boats that bring books to our shelves.  The narrative achieves a good momentum and is not deterred even when a livid tiger and swarthy pirates are encountered.  How This Book Was Made is funny and smart in the best way possible.  We’re almost tearful that the story is over.  Hoping for a sequel, or at least another MacAdam production.

Don't miss the book trailer.