Welcome to my old blog.
Thanks for stopping in for a visit.

Please check out my new website and follow the link to my new blog.
You can also find me on Twitter, Goodreads, Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn.
Feel free to follow, friend, and/or connect.

Look for my latest books:
City Doodles - CHICAGO   Gibbs Smith Fall 2013
WOMEN OF STEEL AND STONE   Chicago Review Press January 2014

From my blog: Art Volunteer In the Classroom

"I am not sick. I am broken. But I am happy as long as I can paint."
~Frida Kahlo

"I paint self-portraits because I am so often alone, because I am the person I know best."
~Frida Kahlo

Happy Birthday, Frida!
July 6, 1907 – July 13, 1954

My favorite picture book is Frida by Jonah Winter.

From my previous post on INK: Interesting Nonfiction for Kids:

Six years ago for part of an Art Volunteer In the Classroom presentation, I chose to read Jonah Winter’s Frida to both a Kindergarten and fourth-grade class and was surprised by the results. In both classes, the students intently listened to every word. They scooted and maneuvered to get a better look at the illustrations. And, the active discussion after I read the book was full of insightful comments and observations. They developed a firm grasp of who Frida Kahlo was as an artist.

All the experts recommend that the main focus of Art Enrichment presentations should be on the conversations about art; i.e. how it makes you feel, what was the artist trying to express in his or her work, can you relate to the painting. Winter's picture book did everything necessary to get the kids experiencing the work of Frida Kahlo. All that was left to do was fill in a few biographical facts. That day, I experienced the magic of lyrical, polished writing and lively, unique illustrations in harmony that creates an inspiring and memorable picture book.

Though an art project wasn't necessary, the students drew their portraits with images of their dreams and passions floating around in the backgrounds.

Happy Winnie the Pooh Day!
Who is your favorite Pooh friend?

Happy Winnie the Pooh Day!

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Favorite games at the Lewis House!
Here's to a fabulous New Year and New Decade! Cheers!

Let the New Year's Eve games begin!

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Today is my post day on INK: Interesting Nonfiction for Kids.
Please hop over and read my article about Mike Venezia. If you have ever researched an artist, you have seen one of Mike's books.
Here's the link:
Mike Venezia and Interesting Nonfiction for Kids

It was a pleasure to meet Mike and his wife, Jeannine!


Only one more week to celebrate National Arts and Humanities Month!

Just thought that I'd share!

A very hungry caterpillar celebration

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Anyone share the Raggedy Ann love?

Children's Toys Examiner: Raggedy Ann Museum to close

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How to Turn Good Ideas into Blockbusters - TIME

Anyone have any PDA/kid stories to share?

Children's Toys Examiner: LeapFrog Text and Learn - PDA stories

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WooHoo!
I'm live!
Start spreadin' the news!

Children's Toys Examiner: Barbie's 50th birthday party!

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Sweet Abby will forever remember all these wonderful paintings. So special to see. Thanks, Abby's Dad!

Make Van Gogh’s Bed » AbbysDaddy.com

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From Americans for the Arts:

	Tell Your Local Media that the Arts Need Support in National Economic Recovery Efforts Send a Letter to the Editor Today!

Please visit my new post on Books, Toys, Etc



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Please listen to this lecture. Sir Ken Robinson is brilliant and entertaining.
The title is negative but the information is positive, thought-provoking, and has to be implemented into our schools - for our children's future.
Enjoy and tell me what you think!

Hello, everyone! How's your 2009 goin'?

For a while now, I kick off the new year by creating a new mantra/word. In Cheryl Richardson's, Life Makeovers, week two is titled "New Year/New You" and asks,
I'd like to suggest that you set an internal goal; one that focuses on how you'll develop yourself personally or strengthen your character during the next year. 
I listen to her CD every six months or so... in the car. Her exercises are positive and her voice is soothing. 

In 2006, my word was exercise. That's what I needed to concentrate on and we all know how exercise crosses over into ALL areas of your life. In 2007, my word was art. Well, if you are a regular reader, I don't think I need to explain that one. In 2008, my word was fun. Here's my post from last year. I had so much fun last year that I almost carried it over to this year.

As the title of this post says, my word for 2009 is positive energy. Yes, I know that's two words. I couldn't leave it to just energy because there are all kinds of energy, and I only wanted the positive energy.

I've started to incorporate positive energy in my life and my next few posts will be about how I have been doing that. (Some are a little fun, too. See, I've learned from previous years!) Oh, my, I just googled "Positive Energy"... a lot of information out there. I'm still hunting for a good userpic.

Speaking of positive energy:
Wasn't inauguration day fantastic? All that positive energy all over Washington DC... and the nation! Since the kids had been home for 6 days, I sat down on Tuesday to get some work done and was only going to watch for a few minutes. I was drawn in and had fun on Facebook watching with all my "Friends".

BTW here's a t-shirt that my husband's college friend is now wearing:

Everything
Barack needs to know
as President
he learned at Oxy

(quoting Prof. Derek Shearer) T-Shirt
Yes, DH went to Oxy around the time Barack was there.


Negative energy:
-Tuesday night after the inauguration, negative energy presented it's ugly head here in blogland. Many of you know what I'm talking about. I was rather upset. DH insisted that I speak out. I bit my tongue. I'm not happy with myself that I allowed all that negative energy to upset me. I think it shocked to me to hear negative energy after all that fabulous positive energy. Wow, there must be a metaphysical term for that one.

Positive energy:
+I have resumed Top Ten Book and Toy Trends for '08 over on Books, Toys, Etc. 
+I have joined Facebook. Please feel free to friend me! Here
+I'm on Twitter. Please follow me! Here
+Spring is coming... eventually.

So, without further ado,
LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!

Remember when I posted this last month?

My responses to "Build a Bookstore" on SHELFTALKER: A Children's Bookseller's Blog

WELL, I didn't see this post until today, BUT Susan E. Goodman did a very nice post (on INK) where she mentions that she was disappointed by the lack of NF books listed in the comments of the "Build a Bookstore" post. She does mention that...

In fact if our own Anna Lewis hadn’t contributed her nonfiction ideas, we’d be in real trouble.  (Sorry, I highlighted MY name.)

Of course, I HAD to chime in. Nonfiction books rock! And, I even mentioned a few arty books... as I am wont to do.

So..... today's SHELFTALKER post mentions Susan's INK post and Alison is " proposing another week-long swath of sharing".
Sharing what, you ask?
Non-Fiction Books  (Woohoo!)
Monday: Your Favorite Non-Fiction Answering WHO
Tuesday: Your Favorite Non-Fiction Answering WHAT
Wednesday: Your Favorite Non-Fiction Answering WHEN
Thursday: Your Favorite Non-Fiction Answering WHERE
Friday: Your Favorite Non-Fiction Answering HOW
Saturday: Your Favorite Non-Fiction WHATEVER
Sunday: Hole Day, and I quote:
"And finally, SUNDAY. Sunday is HOLE DAY.
No, not Holy Day (though for some of you it might also be that), but HOLE Day. This is where I invite you to tell the world the specific topics on which you think we desperately need (or would just do well to have) MORE non-fiction books. There are definitely holes in the non-fiction world. Name them on Sunday so that the writers of the world may be inspired to start filling them."

ART books! ART books! ART books!

Can you guess what book I HAD to share today on ShelfTalker?

FRIDA
by Jonah Winter

Yeah, I know this is Saturday. Just play along, please.

1. So, while I was in line at Pet Smart (had to get Christmas present for dog, of course), I struck up a conversation with the man behind me. He works at Best Buy.
"So, do you have a lot of Wiis?'
"Nope, haven't had any for days."
"WHAT???? Little guy is so excited for Christmas because he's getting a Wii. There are ads in all the papers. What should I do?!!!"

NEXT DAY: Panic mode
"Hello, TRU."
"Do you have any Wiis?"
"Yes, Ma'am."
"How many?"
"A lot, a box full."
"I'll be right there."

ONE HOUR LATER:
"I'm here to buy a Wii."
"Sorry, Ma'am, we haven't had them for days."
"No, I called."
"Who did you talk to?'
"I don't know.  (Staring match) I'm not leaving til I get a Wii." (Half kidding, of course.) I HAVE TO GET THAT TOY. My little guy's birthday is Christmas. Last year he didn't get one even though I had inside people."
"Ma'am, we're getting some in on Sunday."
Sigh... "What time should I be here? How many are you getting?"
"I'll be right back. I have to ask my manager."

TWO MINUTES LATER:
"I'll be right back in just a second, Ma'am. We were not aware."
???

TWO MINUTES LATER:
"Here you go, Ma'am. Would you like the buyer protection plan for 6$?"
"Excuse me?"
"I guess there was some kind of miscommunication. I was not aware that we were allowed to sell these."
(Heard yelling from office) "#$%#  blah blah blah Wiis blah blah @#$$#"
"Wow, those doors are thin."
(From other guy) "Hey, we just got in a new box of Mario Cart."
"Here, Ma'am, you'll need this. This is the hardest game to get."
(People start running up to get the game.)
"You might want to take this to your car right away."

 
HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY DANCE!!!

Lesson learned: It pays to be persistent! I was so ready to leave the store and come back at dawn on Sunday.

2. Went to Scholastic Bookfair's Warehouse Sale on Thursday. Bought entire box of books. Got two books for me.. to read over the holidays. Bought several books for little guy... mainly, to gauge his reaction. Found uber-cool art books for the Art Appreciation Program.

Hugs to tamra_wight for talking about the sale in a post. I love a sale!

3. DD got THE NOTEBOOK GIRLS from her friend for Christmas. I just ordered this for DD.

Says "EAT. SLEEP. READ." from CafePress.

4. We are starting to finalize After School Enrichment classes that I'm teaching/creating for this winter. 
First class will be: Summer Arts and Crafts - incorporating some of the same crafts I used two years ago. Focusing on recycled crafts. I mean, summer crafts in the death of winter... how fun is that?
Second class will be: Cartooning: Creating Monsters, Super Heroes, Aliens, Fairies, Princesses, and Cute Characters - incorporating some of the sketching and brainstorming exercises I've been using in my Art Appreciation Classes.
A friend is running the program this year, so I had to say "yes" when she asked.

5. Outside lights are still not up. Neighbor said that it'll be -30 degrees tomorrow. Hmmm... we have about 6" of snow out there. Maybe I'll go work on the cards!

6. I don't think I have a 6. Sending my best wishes to everyone that still has a million things to get done before the holidays... like me.

The loverly de_scribes tagged me to play. Since there is a ton of snow outside and my DD's HS concert is canceled 'til tomorrow, I had to jump right in.


Quick! Off the top of your head, what are the last five things that made you smile?

1. The picture in my head of de_scribes mixing up her anti-wrinkle cream and her anti-frizz cream.

2. Coming home to a box on my doorstep with a present inside. I knew that it was from my very bestest girlfriend. We have exchanged X-mas and Birthday presents for the past 20 years! I think all year what to get her... and her gift is always simple and perfect. Sue's house is where I stay in LA... I get the Ugly Doll/Creature Room - her son's room. (David aka Ugly Doll creator)

3. Lunch today with Sarah... one of the funniest people I know! Good food, good conversation. Yes!

4. Shopping with Sarah at Mr. Kitschy... let's see, what were my favorites today?

Revenge for your neighbors.
I liked "Violin Practice".

Hmmm... after some thought, I can't show any other pictures!

5. DH walking in the door. Now the family is safe and sound at home.

TAGGING:
linbinwriter, artistq, seaheidi, and sarah_prineas   
Smile!

Looking for some fun Artsy Christmas gifts for your artsy friends.
Here are just a few ideas:


Instant Masterpiece
"Blow up your art!"
You can buy it here.



VAN GOGH DOMINOES
You can find it here at the MOMA store.

Pretty cool stuff!

Ho, Ho, Ho!
Today is my post day on INK: Interesting Nonfiction for Kids.
Here's the link.
Title: Santa is Nonfiction


SANTA CLAUS
Rod Green, author
Carol Wright, illustrator
Atheneum 2006
One of the books I presented for evidence.

Check it out and comment.
I like comments!

I saw this at Costco last night. OMG!
I actually thought about having another child just to get this toy!
Not to mention, the price is fantastic!
Here's KidKraft's website.
Here's the Costco website.
So cool!

From Trendhunter:


Mucho cool!

I HEART Salvador Dali!

This week on Shelftalker: A Children's Bookseller's Blog, Alison Morris celebrated Build a Bookstore Week.
Since no one was chiming in with Non-Fiction titles, I had to add my favorites:

In response to: Build a Bookstore: Middle Grade Novels & Non-Fiction
Anna M Lewis commented:

Once again, because I HAVE to stand up for the non-fiction books: KID CHAT GONE WILD!, 38 WAYS TO ENTERTAIN YOUR PARENTS ON SUMMER VACATION, HER STORY: A TIMELINE OF THE WOMEN WHO CHANGED AMERICA, SKY'S THE LIMIT: STORIES OF DISCOVERY BY WOMEN AND GIRLS, HOW BRIGHT IS YOUR BRAIN?

Because I HAVE TO stand up for art and non-fiction picture books: FRIDA by Jonah Winter ART IS... by Bob Raczka SEEN ART? by Jon Sciezka and Lane Smith THE DOT by Peter H. Reynolds ART UP CLOSE by Claire d'Harcourt

The Wheels on the Bus!!!Zelinsky Where's My Teddy, There's a Monster at the End of this Book, Pat the Bunny, Good Dog, Carl

Tomorrow is St. Nicholas Day which means tonight children put their shoes and lists by the fire for St. Nicholas.
In the morning, the children find their shoes filled with nuts, candies, and gifts, because St. Nicholas visits during the night

My mom grew up in Germany during World War II. St. Nicholas Day was one of the traditions we had growing up. I found nuts, oranges, candies, and books in my shoes.

Tonight, my children are scurrying to finish their lists. St. Nicholas usually leaves them candies, and books or CDs. Oh, and they have to put a huge star next to the item they really, really want for Christmas. The Lewis family will never forget the Giga Pet tragedy of 1997 or the Tekno the Robot Dog fiasco of 2000.

In other St. Nick trivia, my son's Kindergarten teacher was the granddaughter of Lou Prentiss, the first model for the Cola-Cola Santa.

Haddon Sunblom, 1931

I was thinking the other day. I'm surprised the toy/advertising industry hasn't exploited the whole St. Nicholas Day tradition. I mean, TOYS and LISTS? Just ripe for the industry.

Anyone celebrate St. Nicholas Day/Eve?
Get your shoes out there...
Hmmm... I have a manuscript or two hanging around. Maybe I should stick one in my shoes and put them by the fire! Ya never know.