Books of Wonder | Writer Side UP!

(NOTE: while this post is current, read it on its own page, then on the sidebar (opens in separate tab) scroll to click to listen to Hedwig’s Theme while reading 😀)

This being my 4th time reading this series, who would’ve thought I’d read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows with pronounced hunger? I knew I’d enjoy it and read ahead of my reading schedule to be done before Sheila’s ReRead-along time frame (now complete), but I finished much more quickly. Even knowing how things turned out, I still found it to be a page turner! What cracked me up is that I still had that “I don’t want the ride to end!” feeling lol To me, this says a LOT about the talent and genius of J. K. Rowling and her gift to us in this way 🙂 Continue reading →

A “Lighter Side Up” Q&A:

Getting to Know

Matthew Winner

I am honored to be a stop

on the Blog + Pod Tour

in celebration of…

It is no accident when someone like Matthew Winner achieves what is akin to royalty status in the world of school libraries and children’s literature. But he is not the type king who rules with an iron fist. Instead, he leads with a passionate spirit.

When I first became aware of Matthew, through Twitter, and eventually became a true fan of his “Let’s Get Busy” podcasts (now at All the Wonders), I had no idea just how much this man accomplishes. He is one BUSY Librarian! The truth is, he’s more of a “jack of all trades,” as he puts it. (I call it multi-talented and driven 😉 ) That versatility has enabled him to touch the lives of an ever-growing, wide variety of people, including mine. His expressive personality and exceptional insight shines through with fervor and enthusiasm in all aspects of his life: as a Teacher-Librarian, a Media Specialist, a podcast interviewer, and as a husband and father. His genuine interest in and caring about people is evident—he naturally “connects” with whomever he engages, whether it’s a child in a classroom, a colleague face-to-face and on Twitter, or a Kidlit professional through Skype. Continue reading →