I have been really, really, really busy.
I mean, everyone always says that, I know, but this has been kind of a breathtaking busy.
I can’t complain, since so much of it has been engaging and terrific work —
conferences, school visits, talks, and critiques.
The beginning of my teaching semester.
Yet another revision.
And then, in the middle of all that, a whopping case of the flu, one daughter’s field trip and another daughter’s standardized test made for a relatively emotional breathtakingly busy time.
So it was really no surprise that the release date of my latest book kind of snuck up on me and nearly snuck right past.
Noodle would likely not be surprised, either, to be overlooked and lost in the shuffle.
A worm’s lot, he’d say.
But honestly, I’m pretty fond of this little worm-and-bird, and grateful for them.
For example:
Huge thank yous to Arthur Howard who added such humor and whimsy to the book, who added love and pathos, who added a little green baseball cap to the head of the worm.
And to my editor, Allyn Johnston (at Beach Lane Books) who waited patiently over the very many months it took me to puzzle out the whys of this book.
And to my agent, Erin Murphy, who buoyed me up over the very many months Allyn waited and I puzzled out the whys.
And to Natalie dias Lorenzi who created the fabulous teacher’s guide to accompany Noodle & Lou (and my other books, too)!
And to Jama Rattigan who didn’t forget the release day at all!
And to the folks at Kirkus, and Booklist, and Publishers Weekly, who’ve all had some really swell things to say about the book.
But mostly, thanks to my sister, to whom Noodle & Lou is dedicated, for being the blue jay of my heart.
She stumbled upon the book accidentally, in a little bookstore in Montana, days before it was even due to come out.
And then she stumbled upon the dedication inside.
Isn’t it funny, the way life sometimes works that way?
The way we trip over little surprises, the way we meet the folks we’re meant to, the way the sun comes out just in time?
Lucky us.
You, me and Noodle.
Lucky, lucky us….
Namaste.
I’m trying to imagine the moment your sister read the dedication. Sigh. . .
Apparently tears were involved 🙂
annette simon says…
Congratulations, Liz. Lucky us, indeed.
Re: annette simon says…
Oh, thanks, Annette.
And lucky ME that I got to hang with you a teeny bit when you were in Austin!!!
Another Liz book, hurrah!
Thanks, Heidi 🙂
Congratulations, Liz!!!
-Sarah
Thanks, friend…
Lucky us…indeed.
Or, luck-worthy 🙂
Yup…luck worthy…which reminds me of Lucky Ducks…that ms. which will be a book I think.
Welcome, Noodle and Lou! We are all lucky indeed to have those two officially out in the world. 🙂
Thank YOU for helping me put them out there in such a whole way!
The best of luck with the new book, Liz! I’m writing up an order card, so in a week or so, it’ll be on the shelves of my library. I know the kids will love it.
Oh, YAY!! That makes me so happy!
Awww. That story about your sister made me a bit teary, I must admit.
Me, too! And apparently she cried, too, and the bookseller even got a little misty!
Congratulations! I’m happy that much of your busyness has been good things. But hope you take time to enjoy release-month!
Yes. That’s the goal now, jeannine. Thank you!
Congratulations, Liz! I’ll be looking for this one.
Oh gosh, Sis. Gosh. Gratitude on wings from Montana to Texas….