I was recently introduced to a couple of songs that were written by musicians to express their feelings about losing someone too soon.  Since Clover and the Shooting Star was written for the same reason I felt a kinship with these artists.  I don't want to give you the background for these songs, since you can just follow the links I provided if you are interested.  I thought I would just let the words speak for themselves.

  
Gone Too Soon 

By Michael Jackson

Like a comet
Blazing 'cross the evening sky
Gone too soon

Like a rainbow
Fading in the twinkling of an eye
Gone too soon

Shiny and sparkly
And splendidly bright
Here one day
Gone one night

Like the loss of sunlight
On a cloudy afternoon
Gone too soon

Like a castle
Built upon a sandy beach
Gone too soon

Like a perfect flower
That is just beyond your reach
Gone too soon

Born to amuse, to inspire, to delight
Here one day
Gone one night

Like a sunset
Dying with the rising of the moon
Gone too soon
Gone too soon

written and composed by Larry Grossman and Buz Kohan.

Gone Too Soon

By Daughtry

Today could've been the day
That you blow out your candles
Make a wish as you close your eyes
Today could've been the day
Everybody was laughin'
Instead I just sit here and cry
Who would you be?
What would you look like
When you looked at me for the very first time?
Today could've been the next day of the rest of your life

Not a day goes by that I don't think of you
I'm always asking why this crazy world had to lose
Such a ray of light we never knew
Gone too soon, yeah

Would you have been president?
Or a painter, an author or sing like your mother
One thing is evident
Would've given all I had

Would've loved ya like no other
Who would you be?
What would you look like?
Would you have my smile and her eyes?
Today could've been the next day of the rest of your life

Not a day goes by that I don't think of you
I'm always asking why this crazy world had to lose
Such a ray of light we never knew
Gone too soon, yeah

Not a day goes by, oh
I'm always asking why, oh

Not a day goes by that I don't think of you
I'm always asking why this crazy world had to lose
Such a beautiful life we never knew
Gone too soon
You were gone too soon, yeah

And not a day goes by
That I don't think of you

Writers: MICHAEL BUSBEE, CHRIS DAUGHTRY

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics licensed by LyricFind

La Grande Fabrique De Mots

I am in love with a new book and illustrator and I wanted to share it with you!  The book is called The Great Word Factory by Agnes de Lestrade and illustrated by Valeria Decampo.  It was originally written in French, however when they translated it to English they changed the title to Phileas's Fortune, a story about self expression.  The English title is really clunky if you ask me, however, the story and the illustrations are just as beautiful! 

I found a video of the reading of the book in it's original French which you can see below.  It's absolutely lovely and you must click on the link:)   (I tried to embed it but it didn't work, so please click on the link, you'll love it)

https://www.rtbf.be/auvio/detail_histoire-la-grande-fabrique-de-mots?id=1731395

I discovered her work through internet searches.  Every time I see artwork that speaks to me it is almost always picture book art.  Lucky me!  That means there is a whole book full of this beautiful artwork!  So of course I quickly research and figure out what titles the artwork belongs to and then I add them to my personal library.  That's how I found Valeria Decampo's work.  Her characters are sweet and whimsical and the world's she creates reminds me of something Sean Tan would imagine.  I also like her selective use of color to add emphasis to the words and the work.   Here are a few more images from Philea's Fortune.

It's a beautiful story about trying to find the right words to express ourselves to those we love.  Sometimes it's difficult to find those words, and in Philea's world it's even harder because you have to buy every word you want to say!  But in the end, the words of the heart shine through even if they aren't spoken out loud.  

This book was so popular it has sold more than 120,000 copies and was translated into over 20 languages!  Now that's a book you need to read.  I'm not sure what took me so long to discover this lovely book and this wonderful illustrator, but now that I have you can bet I will be collecting more of her work.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do:)

Tschuss!

Wonderful Weekend at Keuka Arts Festival

I had another wonderful weekend at the Keuka Arts Festival in Penn Yan, New York. I just love this festival!  Every year we seem to get thrown some crazy weather, last year rain, this year wind, but it never dampens the spirit of the festival goers or the artist participants:)

I was able to introduce Clover and the Shooting Star to the festival goers through an early print sample.  My publisher provided me with a postcard with our pre-sale link so people could order the book if they wanted it.  The response I received was wonderful!  So many people loved the book and took the postcard to be able to order it.  I was really glad to see that the story touched others in the same way I had intended it.  

Look at this sweet little baby who was mesmerized by the pictures.

And here is another little fan!  They were so adorable!

Thank you Keuka Arts Festival for another wonderful show and thank you to the people of Penn Yan for coming out to support me:)

Clover and the Shooting Star Pre-Sale

I have great news about Clover!  CrissCross AppleSauce, an imprint of Buffalo Heritage Unlimited, has agreed to publish Clover and the Shooting Star as a beautiful 6" x 6" board book! It's perfect for little hands to hold and love. 

I just reviewed the pre-print proofs and it looks fantastic!  I can't wait for you all to see it.  The book will be going to press in the next few weeks and I am hoping to have books in hand by middle of summer!  To celebrate I am making the book available for Pre-sale.  Simply click on the link below and it will take you to my publisher's website where  you can order your copy of Clover.  When Clover becomes available it will be shipped directly to you!

  

http://www.buffaloheritage.com/shop/clover-and-the-shooting-star/

Clover and the Shooting Star was created out of love for my niece and my family, to help us through a time of terrible sadness and loss.  So many people have told me that it should be shared, so by publishing Clover I am hoping that the book will bring comfort to others who have experienced loss.  

It's so sweet to see little faces smile, and to hear little "awes" when I share the book with friends and family.  I love the stories my family has shared with me about their experience with Clover.  My niece Makayla's little girl requests the book to be read to her every night and afterwards she lines up all her animals to watch the shooting star just like Clover and his friends.  Isn't that precious! 

The official launch of the book will be September 11th, 2016.  We are holding the launch on that date in honor of my niece Nicole.   I will be signing books and we will have an array of kids activities, "star-related" activities, and other surprises:)  I will be updating my Facebook and blog with details on the event so be on the look out for more good news about Clover and the Shooting Star!

Cheers!