Author Archives: Amy MacDonald
The Right Word: or Eschew that Thesaurus
When I visit elementary classrooms, I frequently see a list, posted on the wall, of synonyms gleaned from a thesaurus for overused words like said. This is an admirable attempt on the part of teachers to add some freshness to student writing–though it can be overdone. (Let’s face it, sometimes said is the right word for [...]
Rest in peace, Maurice Sendak
Readers of this blog know how much I adore Maurice Sendak and his work. (See previous post, and the one linking to a very moving Terri Gross NPR interview on death and children’s literature.) He was wise, funny, and biting, right up until the end, and in honor of that, I now post a link [...]
“He saw it. He loved it. He ate it.”
Why you should always write to your favorite author: Source: Shaun Usher, Letters of Note
“I like words”
Uncle Philbert & Aunt Mattie “I like words.” That’s how a would-be screenwriter once started a job application letter. “I like fat buttery words, such as ooze, turpitude, glutinous, toady…. I like spurious, black-is-white words, such as mortician, liquidate, tonsorial, demi-monde.” Aside from landing the author a job, the wonderfully witty letter (here) is a [...]
New Arts Integration Resource from the Kennedy Center
As a Teaching Artist for the Kennedy Center, I’m happy to let you all know that the Center has just launched a new online resource about arts integration. It draws on more than a decade of work clarifying arts integration principles and implementing best practices. The ArtsEdge website explores the what and why of arts [...]
Maine Debut of Little Beaver
Had a great time watching Scarborough 1st and 5th grades perform the Maine stage debut of Little Beaver and the Echo last night. Thanks!
Mainers and the 100 Best Children’s Books
People are always publishing “Best” lists, and today Scholastic has announced its “100 Greatest Books for Children,” as compiled by its magazine Parent and Child. Such lists are always a little bit suspect and a lot bit controversial, and this one will be no different, I’m sure. (“Captain Underpants” at #97? Really, Scholastic? Might that [...]
Write Across America: celebrate with “The Seuss-inator”
Need a new angle for Dr. Seuss’s birthday? Tired of “Cat in the Hat” parties? This year, celebrate the good doctor’s birthday and Read Across America by writing your own Dr. Seuss-style story. As a Seuss fan and author of a half dozen of my own rhyming books, I’ve developed a special “Dr. Seussinator” mini-writing [...]
Maurice Sendak
Terry Gross has done a very moving Fresh Air interview with Maurice Sendak, author of some of my favorite picture books, including Where the Wild Things Are and In The Night Kitchen. I’d always thought of Sendak as a grumpy old man (in the best way, because I have a soft spot for Grumpy Old [...]
Sneak Peek: Little Beaver and the Big Front Tooth
Poor Little Beaver is worried about losing his Big Front Tooth. Can he be a real beaver without two front teeth? Little Beaver and the Big Front Tooth is scheduled for publication in 2012. Here’s a sneak peek at the cover (it’s illustrated by the same artist who did Little Beaver and the Echo, Sara [...]
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