What Inspires Me? Being Alice
Ever wondered what it would be like to literally slide down that rabbit hole? Actually, be Alice? I have! And I’m thinking everyone who’s ever read Louis Carroll’s Adventures in Wonderland has too. Before now “Imaging” —or dressing up on Halloween—was as far as we went—let ourselves go—could go.
Alexa Meade paints human beings into art—literally—thus turning them into as Business Insider put it, “into living, breathing portraits.”
Artist Alexa Meade wasn’t content with “imaging.” Alice’s Wonderland from what she read in the book. Or to watching, reading about, imagining those other “Alices” and cast on the page or movie or Disney’s dizzying teacup ride. She wanted to be Alice!
And best, let us be Alice…and the Mad Hatter, too in Wonderland Dreams!
Wonderland Dreams is an interactive journey down the rabbit hole and into Alice’s Adventures created by artist Alexa Meade. 26,000 sq foot imagined, created, hand-painted from floor to ceiling, multi-dimensional world transporting visitors into Louis Carroll’s Wonderland.
Wonderland Dreams is artist Alexa Meade’s creation. You may not have heard of her, but if you recall Arianna Grande’s God is a Woman music video, in which she’s singing, while floating in a pool of paint, you’ve seen her work. The video, which is linked on Meade’s website, received more than 300 million views.
With Wonderland Dreams, Alexa Meade pushed herself to go beyond creating art—even human art—for us to view. She’s created a world for us to literally climb into. Now that’s inspiring!
Wonderland Dreams is live in NEW YORK! now through Spring of 2023. It’s located at 529 Fifth Avenue, near NYC’s iconic Bryant Park (a short walk from Penn Station.) You don’t need an apron or blue hair ribbon to climb through the rabbit hole. But you do need a ticket.
For more information and tickets visit the Wonderland Dreams website!
Count Down to Christmas with Not-Your-Ordinary Christmas Books
Radios are counting-down to Christmas by playing 30 days of Christmas-ish Songs (In Trinidad make that 100 days...who knew there were sooooooo many).
TV stations are playing 25 days of Christmas-ish Movies.
I'm joining the festivities with a count-down of my own: 12 Days of Christmas-ish Children's Books, with a twist! I'm listing all 12 now so you can:
- Read one a Day . . . 12 in one day . . . or all 12 every day!
- Buy one--or all 12--for tots on your list!
- Use my list to bring to inspire you to pull your favs off the shelves!
Co-written by Cynthia and Greg Leitich Smith, art by Steve Borkman
#12: NAUGHTY! Alfie F. Snorklepuss doesn’t believe in Santa Claus, and he’s being a real pest about it. Cranky Alfie is everywhere—on TV, in the newspapers, over the radio—telling boys and girls what he thinks is the truth. Then, one Christmas Eve, the man in red himself packs up Alfie and brings him to the North Pole for an attitude adjustment, Santa-style.
Brand new from Anne Broyles, art by KE Lewis
#11: FOLKTALE-LY: It's time for Arturo and his Central American grandmother, Abue Rosa, to decorate their Christmas tree. Abue Rosa shares with him the family history of each ornament as it is hung. But what happens when Arturo plays with-and breaks-a glass bird?
by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel, art by HB Lewis
#10 FRIENDLY: Each year at Christmas, Joe writes a letter to Santa. But they've had a few misunderstandings in the past. Last year, for example, Joe wanted a fire-engine-red racecar with retracting headlights, and he did get one — but it was only three inches long. So this year Joe is really, really careful. He describes exactly what he wants — and on Christmas morning, guess what's waiting for him under the tree!
By Laura Leuck, art by Gris Grimly
#9 MONSTERLY: Mack and Zack are getting ready for Christmas, hanging up their smelly socks and blistertoe, decorating their dead pine tree, making poisonberry pies. Here in the rollicking rhyme of Laura Leuck and the gruesomely silly illustrations of Gris Grimly, is a truly memorable Christmas tale.
by Kandy Radzinsky
The 1st was so popular, Kandy followed up with the collection of Cat letters to Santa.
#8 CATISHLY: A cat-happy twist on the traditional English Christmas song for hard-core feline fanciers of any age. . . . they'll appreciate Radzinski's solemn, admiring paintings of her subjects, each whisker heroically articulated, and her settings (the sleeping twosome curl up prettily in a basket with a Christmas quilt, six cats a-playing are decorously entangled with ribbon and gift wrap).
Leave it to Bob Shea!
#7 PREHISTORICALLY: Dinosaur is getting ready for Santa! He tackles many challenges--decorating, making presents for Mom and Dad, trying not to be naughty--and defeats each one with his trademark ROAR! But on Christmas Eve, when he hears some rustling downstairs, he can't resist a peek. Will our feisty red friend meet his match in the man in the red suit?
Richard Paul Evans originally wrote this as a gift for his family members. After sharing it with your family, try creating a story of your own? Maybe your young artists can illustrate it?
#6 WARMHEARTEDLY: Rick, Keri, and their 4-year-old daughter, Jenna, are hired as caretakers and are welcomed into the home of Mary, an ailing widow, just in time for the holidays. Before long, it becomes apparent that Mary cherishes their companionship, and this young family begins to understand that their relationship to Mary is more special than any one of them could have realized. These tender relationships, fraught with real-life struggles, are the backdrop for unraveling a mysterious secret that gently propels the reader through this short story.
Eve Bunting and David Diaz are an incredible author-illustrator duo. Warning: this story will make all y'all think differently about homeless people. CAUTION: could prompt spontaneous giving . . .
#5 THOUGHTFULLY: Simon and his mom don't have much--the cardboard house they built for themselves, a tiny Christmas tree, and a picture of an angel pinned to one wall. On Christmas Eve they take in a frail stranger who needs a place to keep warm, and the next morning Simon wakes early to find that the woman has vanished. Instead, he sees December, the angel from the picture, with her wings fanned out over their cardboard house. Could she be real?
Story and Art by Chris Van Allsberg
Watch the movie, too! Tom Hanks is the conductor/dad!
#4 MAGICALLY: The tale of a young boy lying awake on Christmas Eve only to have Santa Claus sweep by and take him on a trip with other children to the North Pole
By Eve Bunting, art by David Diaz. These two make an amazing team!
#3 POINGNANTLY: Christmas is coming and Carlos and his family are going home-driving south across the border to Mexico. But Mexico doesn't seem like home to Carlos, even though he and his sisters were born there. Can home be a place you don't really remember?
I love you, Little Cindy Lu Who!
#2 Susically: "You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch" and oh how we love you! Gotta read it every year. Gotta watch the movie, too--two times, maybe more, sing all the songs, feel that heart grow three sizes . . .
Robert Sabuda's Pop-Up version
#1: TRADITIONALLY: Thanks to Clement Moore for T'was The Night Before Christmas . . . or Henry Livingston, whichever actually wrote the story of Santa's stop one Christmas eve. poem. (A mock trail was even held to determine the true author.) Once a season, at least, this book needs to be read. Which version? You're choice. This classic Christmas poem has been retold in scads of different versions: Cajun, Golden Book, Cowboy, Cat, Thomas the Tank, even Pop Up . . . Call in "Henry's revenge" that royalties for all these go not to Clement Moore's heirs, but to the retellers.
We've come to the end of my counting down to Christmas: 12 Days of Christmas-ish Children's Books List. I hope you'll have as much fun reading through the season as I have!
- Please add to the list by sharing your favorites. Help build the list to 25 days of Christmas-ish reads, and onto 100! (Post suggestions in the "comments" section! Curious minds want to know.)
STARRING: VAMPIRE BABY!
VAMPIRE BABY has fangs and she knows how to use them! See for yourself! Watch the VAMPIRE BABY book trailer NOW!
YOUCH Tootie! NO BITE!
Warning: VAMPIRE BABY is coming . . .
Tootie has fangs! And she knows how to use them...
It happens overnight: little sister Tootie goes from cuddly, ga-ga-googoo, I-want-my-ba-ba baby to . . .vampire baby. Now she’s sinking her pointy fangs into everything -- furniture, toys, and especially her big brother ("Youch, Tootie! No bite!"). Mom insists that it’s just a phase, but Tootie’s brother knows better. Just look at her hairline! Or the fact that all her favorite foods are red, blood red! . . .
VAMPIRE BABY is fanged, dangerous, and crawling your way this July.
Treat Your Grands on Grandparent's Day!
Treat your Grands to a FREE SUBSCRIPTION to GRAND Magazine! In honor of Grandparent's Day, September 9th, the folk at GRAND – The Digital Magazine for GRANDparents and families -- are, offering complimentary subscriptions to my friends. Treat yourself or share the subscription with the Grands in your life!
Sign up for your FREE SUBSCRIPTION: This link www.grandsub.com will give you instant access to the current issue of GRAND – The Digital Magazine for GRANDparents and families.
TRACING THE STARS: Just the Thing on a Hot Summer Day
I recently subscribed to Goodreads Quote of the Day. I'm delighted I did; these daily missives provide the jolt needed to spark my sluggish mind. This quote, by the late Carol Shields, author of STONE DIARIES, was the permission--and reminder-- I needed to toss aside all those "must-dos" and DO one of my favorite activities:
"Open a book this minute and start reading. Don’t move until you’ve reached page fifty. Until you’ve buried your thoughts in print. Cover yourself with words. Wash yourself away. Dissolve"
Erin Moulton's newest book TRACING THE STARS took me away on this hot summer day!
I didn't stop at 50 pages and you won't either!
LET'S GO RAMBLING BLOG TOUR 2012 AWARD CEREMONY
LGRBT 2012, LET'S GO RAMBLING BLOG TOUR launching my new picture book, One Day I Went Rambling, illustrated by Terri Murphy (published by Bright Sky Press) culminated yesterday at with the LGRBT AWARD CEREMONY.
A couple of couple of handsome friends, Pucia & Brujita, drew the WINNERS of our LGRBT Cool Prize Giveaway. ONE DAY I WENT RAMBLING's talented illustrator of and blog tour organizer extraordinaire, Terri Murphy, recorded the festive finale on U-TUBE. WATCH THE AWARD CEREMONY HERE: And the WINNER IS...
Huge thanks to our blogger friends who hosted and toasted and boasted (not roasted) us and ONE DAY I WENT RAMBLING.
LET'S GO RAMBLING BLOG TOUR STOPS:
June 8: “Author School Visits BY STATE!” Illustrator Interview by Kim Normanhttp://stonestoop.blogspot.com/2012/06/pleasant-ramble-with-illustrator-terri.html
- “Kim Norman’s School Visit & Author Blog” Book Review by Kim Normanhttp://www.kimnormanbooks.com/www.kimnormanbooks.com/Blog/Entries/2012/6/8_REVIEW__One_Day_I_Went_Rambling.html
- “Andi Butler Studio & Workshop Chicago” Book Review by Andi Bulter www.blog.andibutler.com/?p=1620
- “Picture Book Depot” Book Review by Rita Lorraine picturebookdepot.com/review/one-day-i-went-rambling
- “Meandering Lane” Shout Out by Lindsey Lane www.lindseylane.net/blog/2012/06/lets-go-rambling/
June 9: “Simple Saturday” Book Review by Debbie Gonzales http://www.debbiegonzales.com/simple-saturday/2012/6/8/things-to-love-about-one-day-i-went-a-rambling.html
June 10: “Vonna Carter.com” Author Interview by Vonna Carter http://vonnacarter.com/wordpress/?p=7783
June 12: “Little Deb’s Doodling” Book Review by Debbie Meyer http://www.thelittledeb.blogspot.com/2012/06/one-day-i-went-rambling.html#links
June 13: “Four Thousand Sentences to Go” Book Review & Author Interview by Cindy Faughnan http://www.cindyfaughnan.com/faughnan/index.php/4000-sentences/item/37-picture-book-one-day-i-went-rambling
June 14:
- “Conjuring Tales for Young Minds” Book review by Susan Kaye Quinn www.susankayequinn.com/.../new-release-one-day-i-went-ram...
- “The Story Continues -- The Writer's Plot” Book Review by Pam Zollman http://www.thewritersplot.com/news/2012/6/kelly-bennetts-newest-picture-book-one-day-i-went-rambling
- “Kissing the Earth” Author & Illustrator Chat with Sharry Wright and Tam Smith http://www.smithwright.blogspot.com/2012/06/one-day-i-went-rambling.html
- “ReaderKidZ” Book Review with Teaching Guide by Debbie Gonzales http://www.readerkidz.com/2012/06/14/one-day-i-went-rambling-giveaway/
June15:
- “Hurt the Bunnies” Shout out from Pam Zollman http://www.pamzollman.com/2012/06/kelly-bennetts-newest-picture-book-one.html
- “One Word at a Time" Carmen Oliver rambles from the dunes of Lake Winnipeg http://carmen-oliver.blogspot.com/2012/06/one-day-i-went-rambling.html
June 16: “On My Mind” Illustrator Interview with Alison Hertz http://www.alisonhertz.blogspot.com/2012/06/new-picture-book-one-day-i-went.html
June 17: “Writing on the Sidewalk” Author & Illustrator Interview with Sarah Tomp http://writingonthesidewalk.wordpress.com/2012/06/17/one-day-i-went-rambling-by-kelly-bennett-illustrated-by-terri-murphy/
June 18: "San Francisco/Sacramento Book Review" Book Review by Tammy McCartney http://citybookreview.com/2012/06/one-day-i-went-rambling/
June 19:
- “Cherie Colyer” Illustrator Interview with Cherie Colyer http://www.cheriecolyer.blogspot.com/2012/06/book-tour-once-day-i-went-rambling.html
- “More Letters From the Messy Desk” Blue Willow Bookshop’s Blog Book Review http://blog.bluewillowbookshop.com/?tag=one-day-i-went-rambling
June 20: “Kids EBook Bestsellers.com” Author Interview with Karleen Tauszik http://www.kidsebookbestsellers.com/2012/06/rambling-through-cyberspace-with-kelly.html
June 22: “Michelle Kogan Illustration, Painting & Writing” Illustrator Interview by Michelle Kogan http://moreart4all.wordpress.com/2012/06/21/terri-murphys-journey-of-a-picture-book-one-day-i-went-rambling/
Thank you to everyone who joined, liked, shared stories, blogged, tweeted, twittered, chirped, chime-in. . . RAMBLED ALONG!
If you're wanting a creativity boost, the whole long and winding ramble is on the LGRBT 2012 Facebook Page
SAVE BOOKSTORES SUMMER
Saturday, June 25th, was SAVE A BOOKSTORE DAY. Part of a movement to support local bookstores. I read about it on one of my favorite blogs Writing On The Sidewalk.
Agent Kelly Sonnack of Andrea Brown Literary Agency sent out the call to rally everyone in support of bookstores and books.
Why is a "buy a book" campaign needed? Because, as Kelly wrote in her letter promoting Save Bookstores Day, "Bookstores are dropping like flies and we want them to stay alive!"
I'm hoping Saturday every single one of you went out and bought a book. All those who did breathed a little life back into the bookstores. But it's going to take more than that to save them. So, let's give them more. Let's dub this, the summer of 2011:
Save Bookstores Summer!
DO YOUR BIT...BUY A BOOK