Wanna hear something fun?
Kevin and I wrote a story and our literary agent is going to start sending our proposal to publishers in May! Yay! 😀
It’s a story for kids (of all ages!) that’s based on a real-life event Kevin, Steevenson and I experienced early last month. Kevin’s dad, Jim, is illustrating the whole kit and caboodle and I’ll keep you posted on our progress as we plow ahead. Keep your fingers crossed that one of our favorite children’s book publishers is smitten with the story too! If not, we’ll look into publishing it ourselves. Either way, we’re SO excited about the story, and Jim’s illustrations, and what a neat thing to be able to share with future generations someday!
I’ve always been most drawn to the picture book section of a book store. Cloudette, The Dot, The Gardener, Shark vs. Train…those are just a few of my favorite ones. Oh! And the “What If You Had” by Sandra Markle and “If I Built A” series by Chris Van Dusen. We just got Chris’ latest release, “If I Built A School” this week and we’re all wild about that one already too!
How about you? Any picture books you love, even as an adult? I’m all ears!
In other news, we found a new game we’re loving too. It’s called Blokus and it is so much fun with 3 or 4 players. The instructions were super simple and if you’ve got a 5 to 15-year-old whose strength is spacial intelligence, I think they’ll love it too!
And speaking of our sunshine-in-skin…
He’s wearing a size EIGHT now (!), so last year’s summer clothes are all too small and temps have already been in the upper 80s here. I ordered several pairs of shorts and tank tops from Old Navy when they were on sale and boy was he a happy boy when that package showed up. Stripped off whatever he was wearing and immediately put that outfit on- ha! He’s always had a thing for new clothes and I think it’s so fun that he gets as excited about apparel as he does about toys. His Granme’ Katie got him some new boxer briefs recently and I’ve never seen someone squeal about underwear. 😀
Anywho…off to clean up the kitchen. I just realized I haven’t shared an updated photo of that space with you since we installed the new flooring. I’ll be back Monday with a post all about it. Happy weekend!
Layla
Nancy Cox
So excited about your book. Can’t wait to hear more.
Layla
Thank you, Nancy! It’s definitely put a new spring in our step this month! I look forward to sharing another update with you!
Joy
Best wishes!!!
Layla
Thank you, Joy! 😀
Kelly
My cousin wrote and illustrated a beautiful book called “Building our House” by Jonathan Bean. He is an incredibly talented illustrator and this particular book is my favorite because our family members make an appearance in the illustrations. Another favorite is a simple chapter book “Mokie and Bik” by Wendy Orr that my cousin also illustrated. It is a whimsical read with fun illustrations.
Ellie
Best of luck with your book and can this boy get any more handsome!
Sheila
Everything you do is full of enthusiasm, great effort and love. I am sure this book will do well. Much Success to you.
Michelle
So exciting! I just sent my first children’s book to an editor. A little nerve wrecking, but doing it scared. Looking forward to reading your book. Best of luck!!
Myra
Congratulations!! Have you heard of the Good Dog Carl books? Each book is about an adventure of Carl, a beautiful Rottweiler. There’s only pictures in the books until the end, and then it’s “Good Dog, Carl”!
Angeline
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton (Mike love of his steam shovel makes me cry every time 😉
Excited to hear about your family’s children’s book! Congratulations!
Rita
It’s so nice to catch up with you again! Good luck with the book! BLINK is a great card game to play. It’s for 2 players and it only take about 5 minutes to play.
https://www.amazon.com/Mattel-Games-Blink-Worlds-Fastest/dp/B014WW5FYM/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2UJYYX1R6YDI6&dchild=1&keywords=blink+card+game&qid=1586524769&sprefix=blink+card%2Caps%2C167&sr=8-2
AJ
Looking forward to hearing more about your new book!
Jean
I’m so glad you are up and posting.
Your posts are always like little bits of sunshine in my in box!
Stay safe:
Carolyn
So glad you are back to blogging! I’ve missed you and your sweet family! xoxo
Tori
Our girls loved Henry and Mudge books, and also the Mr. Putter and Tabby series, by Cynthia Rylant, when they were young.
So excited about your book!
Mary N
My favorite for years has been Robert McCloskey, but a recent fave is Elise Parsley who writes, illustrates, and uses her own penmanship. She has written a number such as, “If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, Don’t!”
Linda
So excited for your family on the upcoming book ! Can’t wait!!! Happy Easter!!
Silvia
Hi Layla;
I so look forward to opening my inbox and getting something from you, it always puts a smile on my face. 😁
I will be praying for your book writing adventure. Your family is so precious, I look at your gift from God, your son and can’t believe how big he’s gotten😀 my goodness time flys. You guys are such a joy.
God bless you
Take care
Silvia
Cindy Rust
Can’t wait to see the finished book!! It is so brilliant to do this with family – it will add a special touch to the whole project 🙂
Karen
On of my favorite “pictures only” children’s book is the Christmas story called A Small Miracle by Peter Collington. I had a good friend years ago that worked for a big book manufacturer out of Nashville and she was the first to bring it to my attention. The illustrations are incredible and the story can be made up as you go. You should check it out!
Lisa Mac
Happy Easter Layla, to you and your beautiful family. Can’t wait to hear more about your book.
Christine Betz
Love “picture” books—I have a shelf full, ostensibly for my future grandchildren. Two favorites are “When the Relatives Came” by Cynthia Rylant and “Imagine a Night” by Sarah Thomson—the illustrations by Rob Gonsalves are outstanding. Also, Charlie Mackesy’s “The Boy, the mole, the fox and the Horse” has universal appeal.
Elaine Power
Wow that sounds fabulous 🤞it gets accepted good luck 😊🌻
Sarah Moore
I love books, especially picture books! Can’t wait to hear more about yours. We love many of the ones you have mentioned. A few other favorites are, Space Station Mars, Mercy Watson to the Rescue, Sam and Dave Dig a Hole, That Rabbit Belongs to Emily Brown, Boxes For Katje, Those Darn Squirrels and the Cat Next Door, The Quiltmakers Gift, and Dad, Jackie, and Me.
Janis Stufflebean
So excited to hear of your new book. Keep us posted. Love your blog, and one of the few I continue to read. You have such a real life with trials of the real world. Happy Easter to all of you!
Dianne
Oh my gosh! That boy is looking so grown up. And so handsome! It seems like just yesterday you were bringing him home. Hope the book thing works out for you. Can’t imagine why it wouldn’t with all the talent in your family!
Sue Poole
My favorite books as a child were Winnie the Pooh, and Martha Matilda O’Toole.
Mimi
Some favorites I have are: Owen and Mzee, The Whales’ Song by Dyan Sheldon and Gary Blythe, Paddington Bear chapter books, Ralph and the Motorcycle chapter books, The quiltmaker’s gift, The quiltmaker’s journey, Jan Brett”s Goldilocks and the 3 Bears, Mossy, and I enjoy all illustrations by Ruth Sanderson. My son enjoyed the Mad Scientists’ Club by Bertrand R. Brinley while in elementary school- chapter books.
Laura M Hodgins
I love seeing everyone’s favorite picture books. We loved Shark vs Train too! I have so many favorites like: The Gardener by Sarah Stewart and Home in the Woods by Wheeler, and this is National Poetry month so I’ll just say I love picture books about poets like A Song for Gwendolyn Brooks and Emily by Michael Bedford or a Poem for Peter…Best new picture book I saw last week: In a Jar by Marcero.
Layla
Thank you for sharing those titles, Laura! The Gardener is one of my favorites too! Off to look the rest of them up!
Aunt Chriss
Yay! Can’t wait to see the book. Hope you are all well. MUCH love!