April – May – flew by. A week-long cruise via ALLURE OF THE SEAS was spectacular, filled with surprise, including meeting new friends who live in nearby Sarasota. Pictures of the experience are posted on my facebook page. I received the first bound copy of MANGER (Eerdmans) to be officially published September l. I am in total awe of Helen Cann’s dynamic artwork.The book is also special to me in that it is dedicated to

MARCH! And I have not posted since last November! Rather than catching up I simply want to add a few things. Renee LaTulippe and I continue doing tapes on the NCTE Poetry Award Winners. It is wonderful recalling lives of such greats.I have had the opportunity to communicate with both Myra Cohn Livingston’s children, Jennie and Joshua, and Eve Merriam’s sons, Guy and Dee Michel. You can view the tapes at www.nowaterriver.coat VIDEO LIBRARY –

Although I knew Charlotte for many years, the first book I did with her was the anthology MORNING, NOON, AND NIGHTTIME, TOO, published with Harper in l980. I adored her — not only as being a brilliant editor but a good friend. At lunch one afternoon, and we had many, many lunches together, I mentioned how sad that her books of poetry were out of print, especially RIVER WINDING (T. Y. Crowell, l970) which first

BOOKS AVAILABLE ON A FIRST-COME BASIS – THROUGH NOVEMBER 22 – WILL BE SENT VIA MEDIA MAIL SEND email to lbhcove@aol.com citing titles, your address, and if you want personal autographs. ALL MONIES TO BE DONATED TO CHARITIES. HARDCOVERS – $12.00 – INCLUDES MAILING COSTS ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE CITY I LOVE DAYS TO CELEBRATE GIVE ME WINGS HEAR MY PRAYER I AM THE BOOK INCREDIBLE INVENTIONS LIVES MY AMERICA NASTY BUGS OH, NO!

SEPTEMBER got off to a busy start with news that NASTY BUGS received a nomination for the Tennessee Volunteer State Book Award for 2014-2015. So — girls and boys will be itchin’ and scratchin’ for years to come! Beginning September 6, the wondrous Renee LaTulippe at www.nowaterriver.com will release the first video interview with me on the NCTE Excellence in Poetry for Children Award recipients. I discuss the life and works of incredible wordmaster, David