Candy Chand, author of Christmas Love, REALLY Speaks to me!

Ok, so last blog I wrote (jokingly of course) about how, metaphorically, Eric Carle spoke to me through The Very Hungry Caterpillar. So I hope this is not like The Boy Who Cried Wolf and when readers see this blog’s title they won’t believe. But...to my absolute surprise and delight I actually, REALLY, received a call from the author of Christmas Love, Candy Chand, herself. Words can't explain how excited I was...STILL AM!

Ironically, (those who have read the story will get this) I was at a school function of my son's kindergarten class when she called, so I missed her. None-the-less, she left the most delightful message and said it was 'a sweet surprise' to have seen her book in a Bookworm Basket. Luckily, she also reached out to me via email so I was able to communicate with her after all. Yay!

I am elated by her thoughtfulness to call and share her approval. I haven't been this excited in so long! (hey, it's not everyday an author calls me) What a wonderful person and what a wonderful book. For all of you bookworms out there looking for a simple, sweet and fun Christmas story, Christmas Love is perfect. It’s a wonderful book for your Christmas collection.

Looks like I got my Christmas present early. Cheers Candy, and Merry Christmas to all!

Eric Carle Speaks to Me

Eric Carle is one of my most FAVORITE children's books author and artist. “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see?” was my oldest little bookworm's very favorite book. Of course her first word was "book." Apparently it's hereditary, this obsession. But it wasn't long after, that she stumbled across her words as she said "brown bear" for the very first time. Eric Carle seems to have a way of captivating children with his words and beautiful illustrations. I think all of his books are amazing! Definite "must-haves" for a baby bookworm's library.

My personal favorite, though, is The Very Hungry Caterpillar. I love the vibrant illustrations and there's just something in this story that speaks to me. Something that resonates... Maybe it's the shear fascination with the topic of metamorphosis in general. Maybe there's something about watching this small lonely creature search and search to find himself while devouring everything insight to satisfy the emptiness inside, only to become this BIGGER, FATTER version of what it once was. Then hiding away from the rest of the world, possibly self-reflecting...possibly sleeping off the one too many xanax it took after its culinary binge. Finally, witnessing its triumph over self-loathing and deprecation by shedding its cocoon and emerging into the world, a Beautiful Butterfly! Uh, um...or maybe it's the cute holes the caterpillar has eaten through the book.

So anyway...Eric Carle, my hero, has a wonderful Museum called The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, MA. It's an amazing and wonderful museum for children and adults. There are always great events going there perfect for exciting children about reading and books. This year they are celebrating its 6th Anniversary. On November 22nd admission is FREE, which in this economy, is always nice. You'll definitely find the Bookworm Basket family there!

For more information go to The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art website.