Our Christmas tree filled with bits of memories...

Our Christmas tree is filled with reminders. Bits of memories hang from the branches — reminders of what we’ve done and where we’ve been, of who we once were, who we’ve loved and who we’ve lost. It’s an emotional journey, looking at all of it — bittersweet. But, ultimately, it’s a reminder of how incredibly blessed I’ve been in this life, to have been a mother to beautiful little boys who have become remarkable young men, to have walked this earth with amazing people in so many wonderful places — with faith always alongside.

More to come...Construction Site: Farming Strong, All Year Long

Thank you, @booksgrowminds for this incredibly kind post. I’m honored. And, just a teaser: Next year will bring: “Construction Site: Farming Strong, All Year Long.” I’m really excited for truck-loving kids to meet Big Tractor and Small Tractor, (and all the cool tractor attachments!), Pickup Truck and Combine Harvester! Lots of work to be done on the farm, in every season!
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Do you have a little builder? My kids LOVE construction vehicles. Love may be an understatement. For example, last night while my husband I were cooking dinner, we kept tripping over my son who was lying on the kitchen floor, Demolition book in hand, flipping pages while rolling his little @shopcaterpillar truck back and forth. That kind of love.

@sherririnker ‘s Construction Site, New York Time’s Bestseller series is out of this world. This series centers around several construction vehicles who work together to problem solve and build. The stories focus on teamwork, collaboration and friendship. This set would make the most a m a z i n g gift this season. We enjoy the colorful illustrations, vocabulary, teamwork and rhyme schemes in this series and we can’t wait for even more additions to our collection!

Kirkus Review - Roto & Roy

The first book in my next picture book series has a GREAT review from Kirkus! 🎉🎉🎉 (If you know Kirkus, they can be pretty harsh. 🙄) My friend Don Tate is KILLING IT! I can’t wait for you all to meet Roto and Roy!!! (in February! Preorder NOW!)

Kirkus: No wildfire stands a chance when Roy Thunder and his helicopter, Roto, take to the skies. Firefighting pilot Roy, whose race is ambiguous, is a superhero in every way. One morning, after a lightning strike sparks a wildfire in a canyon, Roy and Roto—who is anthropomorphic with green eyes—set off together to fight the blaze. Their strenuous mission involves using a hose to draw up water from a lake and flying for hours “through the high winds, smoke, and heat.” Although it takes filling Roto’s tank with water 10 times to put out the conflagration, the heroes prevail. However, just when all seems safe, they spot a petrified puppy precariously close to a cliff’s edge. In a daring air rescue, Roto hovers and Roy rappels to the ground to reach the forlorn animal. Job complete, the pair head back to Hangar One, where they receive a true hero's welcome. This engaging, rhyming picture book looks and feels like a large comic book. The cartoonlike illustrations are action-packed and divided into panels on several spreads. Like classic superhero comics, there is plenty of onomatopoeia, inviting audience participation. During the air rescue scene, the layout changes to horizontal orientation twice, a move that will surprise and delight readers. When read aloud, the book does feel a bit long. A fun friendship story for young readers fond of brave exploits, helicopters, comics, or any combination thereof.

So very grateful....

Feeling very grateful tonight for the devoted fans (young and not so young!) of the Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site series. CONSTRUCTION SITE ON CHRISTMAS NIGHT has now been on the NYT Best Seller list for 27 weeks, sold more than half a million copies, and moved up to the #2 spot on the NYT, alongside these fabulous titles. (Please don't miss BORN ON THE WATER; it's gorgeous.) We're so thrilled. Thank you, as always, to the READERS, and to all of the wonderful folks at Chronicle, who put their all into these books. Sending all of you happiest holiday wishes!

Any events commemorating silver pieces?

Does anyone know of any traditions of commemorating events with silver pieces?

I’ve been going through a pile of mismatched silver pieces, given to me by various relatives.

These spoons are all engraved on the fronts with “Entre Nous” (between us). Then, most of the spoons have a date engraved on the backs — 1924, 28, 29, 31, 32, 34 (all different dates/months). Two are undated.

(The pattern is Gorham Etruscan Key.)