SCBWI Book Blast Ends Tomorrow! Visit while you can!

Thursday, November 30th is the last day for the SCBWI Book Blast. It is your last day to visit my page for Hatching Chicks in Room 6.
Many thanks to everyone who has stopped by and left a comment!

Kizzie Jones said on November 28, 2017:
What a terrific resource- especially for children who do not have the opportunity to hatch chicks at school! Congrats!

Lin Oliver said on November 28, 2017:
A wonderful book. Makes me want to sit on an egg or two.

Teresa Bateman said on November 25, 2017:
This is a truly beautiful book. We used to raise chicks every year in our kindergarten classes but that, along with many other great activities, has been replaced with "serious education." This book lets us show the students what they might have learned first-hand.

Mary Ann Fraser said on November 24, 2017:
What a fabulous book. It is ideal for use in the classroom. Congrats, Caroline.

Lane M Arnold said on October 25, 2017:
Hurray for this new book!

Melissa Stewart said on October 25, 2017:
What a great idea for a book! Clear text, great photos. Kids are going to love this.
Tim Canny said on October 18, 2017:
Simple but compelling idea for a book. I'm jealous of the kids in Room 6! Good luck with your BookStop!

Lucy Grimm said on October 18, 2017:
Wonderful story, Congrats!

Alexis O\'Neill said on October 17, 2017:
The photos in this book are fabulous! I also love the design, with a narrative plus expository pull-outs. Perfect to accompany chick-hatching classroom projects.
Judy Cox said on October 16, 2017:
Cute book! Looking forward to seeing you in Eureka!

Celebrating Nine Years at CAROLINE ARNOLD ART AND BOOKS

Baby Koala’s First Climb
Limited Edition Giclee Print, Signed and numbered.
Printed on archival paper. The art is 10 1/4 by 20 inches with a 1 inch white border.
The original illustration was created in cut paper collage for pages 12-13 of A Koala’s World, written and illustrated by Caroline Arnold, published by Picture Window Books, 2008.

Happy Thanksgiving! Today is the ninth anniversary of my first post on this blog, an announcement of my new art prints at Etsy.

I was inspired to create the blog after hearing a talk at the SCBWI LA Writer's Day. After a few posts I let the blog go dormant, but then in the fall of 2010 I revived it. Since then I have published nearly 500 posts--on average once a week, usually on a Wednesday. Each year the readership has grown, with a total number of pages viewed now at more than 150,000.
Thanks for visiting!
If you haven't signed up to receive the blog by email, consider it! It will be delivered each week to your mailbox.

CELEBRATING DIVERSITY: Connecting Cultures Mobile Museum, Los Angeles, CA

CCMM Spiritual Connections Display at RFK School Library, Los Angeles, CA

Last week I attended the annual open house of Connecting Cultures Mobile Museum (CCMM) at the Robert F. Kennedy School Library in Los Angeles.  CCMM is a program that brings rich displays of cultural objects from around the world to middle schools, with the goal of helping students understand the diversity in their own world so they can begin to appreciate themselves as participants in a global community.

Julia Goldman, CCMM Executive Director

Hundreds of objects are displayed (usually in the school library) with identifying signs color coded for each part of the world. Students are always delighted to find objects from their own country of origin. During the CCMM presentations, the students learn the stories behind some of the objects, their significance, and have the opportunity to handle some of them. The displays are organized around three themes: commercial, spiritual, and everyday connections.

Book and Puppets from India

The collection on display at the open house focused spiritual connections, with objects ranging from masks, books, clothing, and musical instruments that play a role in the various religions of the world. Among my favorites were the many masks on display, including one that I had donated.  Here are a few of the masks. Find out more about CCMM at their website.

African Masks

Spirit Wheel Mask, Alaska

Mask decorated with feathers, Brazil

Raven mask, Canada

CARNEGIE LIBRARY OF PITTSBURGH

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA

Last week, my daughter, Jennifer, was in Pittsburgh, and stopped in at the Carnegie Library. As she browsed the shelves she found several of my books. When I looked in the online catalogue, I was pleased to discover that the library has 125 of my books, 120 print books, and 5 e-books. I am always pleased to discover my books on the shelves of libraries knowing that through my books I am reaching the lives of children who check them out wanting to learn more about the world we live in.

Two of my books on the shelves of the library

The establishment of Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh was forecast in a letter, November 25, 1881, from Andrew Carnegie to the Mayor of Pittsburgh, in which Mr. Carnegie offered to donate $250,000 for a free library, provided the City would agree to provide the land and maintain the annual funding for library operations. After additional consideration, Mr. Carnegie increased his charter investment to $1 million to build and equip a Main Library and five neighborhood branches, with the City of Pittsburgh agreeing to provide $40,000 for their ongoing support.
Founding public libraries became a personal philanthropic mission for Mr. Carnegie. To him, libraries were vital, non-luxury assets to be supported by public dollars. When finished, Mr. Carnegie established more than 2,500 libraries around the world. (From the library website.)

Fall Gala of the CLCSC featuring Steve Sheinkin, Los Angeles, CA

A week ago I attended the annual celebration of children's book authors and illustrators by the Children's Literature Council of Southern Calfornia, held this year at the Skirball Center in Los Angeles. As always it was a wonderful time see friends and to reconnect with teachers and librarians. After a delicious breakfast we proceeded to the auditorium to hear award winning author Steve Sheinkin give an inspiring keynote address followed by the presentation of awards.  This year's honorees are Jennifer Holm, Outstanding Work of Fiction, K.G. Campbell, Outstanding Picture Book, Nikki Grimes, Myra Cohn Livingston Award for Poetry, Nicola Yoon, Peggy Miller Award for Young Adult Literature, and Alyson Beecher and Alethea Allarey, Dorothy C. McKenzie Award for Distinguished Contributions to the Field of Children's Literature.
Thanks to the Fall Gala Committee and the Awards Committee for an excellent job!

At breakfast with LAPL librarian Marcia Melkonian

Eureka! Honor Award from CRA for Hatching Chicks in Room 6

Good news! Hatching Chicks in Room 6 has been named a Eureka! Honor book by the California Reading Association. The Eureka! award is for outstanding nonfiction. I am delighted to be on the list, which will go to teachers and librarians all over the state. The winners were announced at the fall meeting of the CRA. Thanks to all on the Eureka committee!