Wrapping it up

My Favorite Sea Creatures

I had a great time running a sea creature drawing workshop at KidsCon Portland last month. The room was full, and both kids and adults were really engaged. I created three new drawing sheets, which are available on my website’s printables page. If you add whale shark and cuttlefish, you could also lead a 30 minute drawing session with your students!

2025 Event Recap

This was one of my busiest events years on record: bookstores, schools, libraries, a museum, and book festivals. I’m glad to have December ‘off’ but we all know the holidays are hardly a break. I’m working on my calendar and goals list for 2026. I have lots of availability for school visits and am looking forward to bringing KING into schools. Coming up fast is World Read Aloud Day. I only have one late afternoon slot left!

How-to-Draw a Budgie

Switching back to my pet drawing sheets this month, how about we all draw budgies?

This video is amazing. Disco the budgie has a lot to say! It’s a good video to share with students, along with the drawing sheet.

Watching / Reading / Listening To

Watching: Pluribus on Apple TV. Yes, the premise is heavy. But I love a well-told and unique story where I have no idea where we are going. I actually think Carol is handling everything pretty well, all things considered.

Reading: The Secret History by Donna Tartt. I was a late-comer to The Goldfinch, and even later to this earlier book by the same author. I’ve read so many rave reviews that I was quite thrown off by the slow pace and the less-than-typical college story, but I’m stubbornly committed to finding out!

Listening to: Little Simz. Her 2022 album No Thank You and 2021’s Sometimes I Might Be An Introvert. And her Tiny Desk Concert is soooo good. Generally, I don’t think I’m listening to enough music. It’s such a good mood booster when I work, but I often fall into reading audiobooks and podcasts. I am going to try and switch that up for 2026!

PS. But what about that book news? It’ll have to wait until 2026!