Dear Readers,
It’s about 4 degrees outside, here in Minnesota, but I have seed work to do. As I free the beans from their crackly dry pods, I’m remembering sowing the seeds, watching with delight as they sprouted, then later harvesting them. The empty, withered pods will go into the compost pile. They are no longer needed, but still useful for future growing. These shiny black beans are a gift.
I can’t help but think of my writing.
Pages and pages I’ve written and set aside. When I’m ready to revisit the many paragraphs and sentences, I understand more clearly how those constructions brought me to this point in my story. But it becomes apparent that so many of them are no longer necessary. I circle, delete, rearrange sentences. I add the papers to my recycling stash. Sometimes I’m left with only a few words. My shiny black beans.
I hope that in this new year, through the work you engage in, you will find your own shiny black beans. And nurture, and grow them.
Thank you for reading my work, and sharing with others. I appreciate you!
A FEW 2024 HIGHLIGHTS
I shared The Vast Wonder of the World, Jayden’s Impossible Garden, and Jayden’s Secret Ingredient with children through the Children's Defense Fund Freedom Schools initiative “60 For 60: Protecting the Freedom to Read in Honor of the Freedom Summer of 1964"
Presented at Bethel University’s PrimeTime series
Read at Moon Palace Book Fair
Presented at a number of Family Literacy Events
I was a featured “Leaders are Readers” speaker in partnership with Dr. Artika Tyner and Planting People Growing Justice at the Rondo Library
Talked story for the Children’s Reading Circle at the Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery
Had an amazing conversation with Sarah Warren in Writer to Writer, a More Than a Single Story virtual series
Coached some amazing authors!
WHAT I'M READING
WHAT'S NEXT
The first two books in my new Outside Our Window board book series Birds Sing Their Words and Trees Stand Tall will be available on Earth Day, April 22nd. This series follows cousins Kamali and Josiah as they explore nature in their city. Mark your calendars for the Earth Day Storytime book launch on Saturday, April 19th at the Red Balloon Bookshop.
Revolutions are Made of Love: The Story of James Boggs and Grace Lee Boggs will be published on November 5th. I’m honored to be part of this amazing picture book biography collaboration with poet Sun Yung Shin and artist Leslie Barlow. Can’t wait for young readers to learn about the Boggs!
I’ll be presenting at Hamline MFAC’s Alumni Weekend and teaching Writing Picture Books for Children at the Loft. I’m looking forward to teaching a Nonfiction Picture Book Mini Workshop with Rob Sanders at Highlights in April. Stay tuned for more info on this virtual class.
I may be reading at your Literacy Event or library! Please contact Christie Hinrichs to arrange a speaking engagement: christie@authorsunbound.com. I’d love to share my books and writing process with you!
I encourage you to visit and support your library, give books as gifts, and read with a child in your life.
I hope 2025 brings you good health, happiness, and great reading!
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