Check Out These Fabulous Fifth-Graders!

Ah, yes, I remember fifth grade well. It was one of my favorite years. Which is why I love
visiting with fifth graders, like the awesome ones at Pleasant Valley Elementary School 
in Schenectady, NY.

In full disclosure: I have a pro-Schenectady bias. My newest book, ROCKY ROAD,
is set in an ice cream shop in Schenectady. I enjoy walking along the Mohawk River and gazing
at the beauty of The Rose Garden at Central Park. And I live just a few miles from this place that used
 to be known as "The City That Lights & Hauls the World," in reference to the old General Electric company and the American Locomotive Company.

But that truly had nothing to do with my having a four-star day at Pleasant Valley last week. No,
it had more to do with the smiling, curious kids who were bursting with energy and enthusiasm about writing and life. We chatted, we laughed, we ate lunch together and we wrote. Who could ask for anything more?

Thanks to principal Joe DiCaprio, librarian Emily Dearstyne and teacher Jude McQueen for hosting me. And a shout-out to all the Pleasant Valley fifth-graders. Read, write, and rock on!

Woohoo, Cinco de Mayo!

Have you heard of Cinco de Mayo?

It's a festive, fun holiday, but also a day that gets misunderstood. I know because I was confused on Cinco de Mayo until I lived in San Antonio, Texas, and some local friends sat me down and set me straight. Before that I thought the holiday marked Mexico's independence, not unlike Fourth of July for the USA. (Mexico's true independence day was September 16, 1810.)

Actually, Cinco de Mayo celebrates the initial defeat of Napoleon III of France when he tried to conquer Mexico. Texas-born Genereal Zaragoza led Zapotec Indians and mestizos to deaf the French at the Battle of Batalla de Puebla. This victory was a big moral boost for Mexico, but it was short lived, as a French victory followed. (No worries, a Mexican victory followed that.)

Today Cinco de Mayo is mostly celebrated as a day in the U.S. that recognizes the value of Hispanic/Latino culture, traditions and contributions. Wonderful parades with mariachi music and dancing are held, and delicious Mexican foods like tamales and menudo soup are enjoyed.

Maybe you've heard of the book Rocky Road? Okay, I wrote it. In Rocky Road, Tess and her family pick May 5th as the day to open their ice cream shop and begin a Cinco de Mayo celebration. Thanks to my friends in San Antonio, this wonderful holiday will always be dear to my heart.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Three Cheers for Pinewood Intermediate School!

I tell ya, magic happens when you mix together a bunch of awesome fifth-graders, enthusiastic
teachers, a super on-top-of-her-game librarian (Mindy Holland), and a day spent discussing writing and the joy of reading.

Thanks, Pinewood School , for celebrating books with me and for being so super!

Read on and Rock On!

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

I DO like Green Eggs and Ham!

Matter of fact, I love it, along with The Cat In The Hat, Horton Hears a Who, Fox in Socks, and, my
favorite, Snitches. (A fun and clever read on the silliness of stereotypes.)

These books are all written by the legendary Theodore Geisel, also known as Dr. Seuss, whose
birthday is this month. (March 2, 1904.)

I'll be in schools this month doing many author visits. Most days you will find me wearing a red-and-white striped sweater. You guessed it, I wear this in tribute to the Cat In The Hat. I used to wear the tall hat instead, but my 12-year-old daughter now forbids me to leave the house like that.

There is so much to admire about Dr. Seuss and his books. As a reader, I love the brilliant rhymes, the humorous full-circle story lines and illustrations and how he weaves social issues and messages into seemingly wacky tales.

As an author I am inspired by how Dr. Seuss pursued his passion and didn't take no for an answer.
His first book, And To Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street was rejected 28 times -- that's right 28! --
until it was discovered by Random House, which just so happens to be the publisher of my second book, Rocky Road.  And not only did he write and illustrate children's books but he wrote political cartoons and made film documentaries too. He was not afraid to speak his mind and point out the wrongs of bigotry, anti-semitism, and sexism.

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss, and thanks for getting us all excited about books.

I will read books
with kids at school
I will read books
riding on a mule.
I will read them
in the park
 I will read them
in the dark!
(Using a flashlight, of course).

How about you readers, show me your Dr Seuss fan poem!

I Love Valentine's Day!

You bet I love Valentine's Day! How could someone named Rose not love roses? Same goes for chocolates, poems and strawberry-flavored cupcakes with fluffy frosting and lots of red sugar on top (Must be my red hair).

Romance rocks and I'm lucky to have a four-star husband. But when I think of Valentines Day, I draw a bigger heart. I think of my kids, my parents, other family members and friends. People I admire, too, and so many true friends. 

Then I get back to books and stories and my job as an author, and the heart gets bigger again. 

I love my characters. They are my friends. And I'm not losing it when I say on a certain level, they are very real to me. Real like the Velveteen rabbit was real to his owner.

I love my editor, agent, and booksellers and all the rest in storyland who help turn my stories into books.

And I love my readers. I really do! You all write me letters and send me emails about your lives that cheer me on & inspire me and remind me how books connect us across the miles.


This year, I'm thinking that Cupid should put down the bow and arrow and simply send books. Sounds lovey to me.


Happy Valentines Day all!