I have a whole lot of housekeeping to share with you today.

I mean, wait.

That came out wrong.

You don’t have to tidy up.

You sit and have a cup of tea and keep me company while I do…

1. My next picture book — Noodle and Lou, a story of unconditional friendship between a worm and a bird — has been pushed back just slightly because Noodle, the worm, was feeling shy and not quite ready. (Y’know, you never really hear about the early worm, do you?) Anyway, it is being illustrated by the delightful Arthur Howard as we speak — and will be in bookstores in spring 2011.

2. All the World has gotten a couple more really touching reviews. Here’s one from BookPage and it’s written by a teacher, which makes me love it extra triple much. And then another from Newsday that says we pulled off a magical trick! (I can’t remember a simple card trick to save my life, so this makes me feel better…)

3. I’ve got a few public events on the near horizon and I hope to see some of you there. Or there. Or there:
        
            Texas Book Festival, Children’s Chapter Read Me a Story Tent, Austin, TX
            Reading and Signing: October 31, 1pm

            SCBWI-Austin Chapter, Monthly Meeting at BookPeople, Austin, TX
            "Going with your Gut": November 7, 11am

            Hill Country Book Festival, Georgetown, TX
            Reading and Signing: November 14, 1pm

            Destination Publication, SCBWI Conference in Cedar Park, TX
            Speaking and critiquing: January 30, 2010

4. I love Indiebound. Who wouldn’t? It’s a collective for (and of) independent booksellers everywhere. )Earlier this fall, the Indie folks put All the World on their Top Ten Picks for Kids Indie Next List!! Swoon!) Now I have something new and cool to show you — book lists, organized by category or reader or type, all linked up and ready to buy from the indies!

For example, this amazing list of books by Austin authors, created by Cynthia Leitich Smith.
And this equally mind-blowing group of books by clients of agent Erin Murphy.

Can you say, "Christmas List"????

5. I have something really special happening here next week. One of my agent-mates, author Tamara Smith, is stopping by to talk about picture books and, in particular, this theory she’s developed called The Vibrant Triangle. The Vibrant Triangle, people. Is that some good sounding stuff or what? She’ll be here Monday and Tuesday and maybe even Wednesday and I hope you’ll come by!

See you then if not before.
Happy day, friends…