Does anyone remember grab bags? Back in the day, post dinosaur but pre internet, some stores sold sealed bags of surprises for a quarter or 50 cents or a dollar. It was gambling for children. I don’t remember what was in the bags I bought, but I sure do remember the excitement of choosing one,…
I was reading a book called Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert (author of Eat, Pray, Love). It’s a book about being creative. It made me think about the role of curiosity in being creative. Lack of curiosity is the death of creativity. And creativity makes the world go ‘round. Have you ever had a conversation…
Four is too much. Two, too few. But three elements are just right. Not too complex. Not too simple. Three make a magical pattern. A fun way to think about the rule of three—one that doesn’t involve celebrity deaths or other sorts of bad luck—is in children’s fairy tales. The Three Little Pigs, The Three…
Hello, friend, Before I dive in—today marks 22 years since the horrors of 9/11. For me, it’s become a time to think about how people are treated and have been treated the world over and to understand that making a difference happens right here, with me—and you—and how we behave toward the people in our…
Today. Labor Day. The unofficial end to summer. Why do we do that? Why do we hurry summer—or any season—to a close “unofficially”? We don’t bring anything but seasons to unofficial ends, or beginnings for that matter. When I’m 80, will that be my unofficial end? Did I have an unofficial beginning? Books sometimes have…
Hello Friend, Here’s another book review for you. This book simultaneously cracks me up…and makes me worry. The Ogress and the Orphans by acclaimed children’s novelist Kelly Barnhill parallels some of our country’s recent events. Publisher’s Weekly calls the book “…an ambitious fantastical sociopolitical allegory.” But kids aged 9-12 will just call it a really…
Hello, friend, A few weeks ago I wrote about why reading middle-grade and children’s fiction is good for adults. If books help shape children—and I think they do—then can they not also shape adults? Surely we’re not beyond help. I guess that’s debatable, and I suppose a lot hinges on how open a person’s mind…
Have you have ever entered a race and placed first? Second? Third? Did you make it over the finish line? If you did, I hope you had a squad of cheerleaders, family, friends, acquaintances, cheering for you. Once upon a time, when I was a kid, I would watch the Olympics with my parents. I…
Hello and welcome to another author interview, and another chance to peek behind the curtain to see how authors work their magic. Today, I have an interview with New York Times bestselling author Lauren Kate, author of middle-grade novel One True Wish, which I reviewed here: https://gaillfontana.com/one-true-wish-by-lauren-kate/. One True Wish is the story of three…
I was reading an article the other day about what therapists know that everyone should actually know (see reference, below). It included things like “Feelings change over time,” and “Therapists guide; they don’t fix,” and “Your feelings—whatever they may be—are valid.” There was one item that I loved: “Therapists don’t have it together any more…
