wands waving hello
enticing all to inhale
fragrant garden queen
garden queen by Angie Quantrell
Woodinville, WA
Haiku Moment: garden queen
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Haiku Moment: purple buzz
a sea of green and
purple flows in and out, calls
buzzes to visit
purple buzz by Angie Quantrell
Yakima Valley, chives and buzzes
Happy Book Birthday! Be Kind, Make Friends by Angie Quantrell, Illustrated by Gayle West!
Yippee! Happy book birthday, Be Kind, Make Friends! The author 🙂 (me) is so very happy and pleased with this picture book!
Written by Angie Quantrell
Illustrated by Gayle West
Woman’s Missionary Union, 2024
So many people contributed this book, whether it be by sharing an idea, reading different drafts, offering suggestions, copyediting, proofreading, creating the fabulous illustrations, or getting the word out. Thank you! This was a labor of love, and I am thankful to the Lord and the community of helpers.
About this book:
What does it mean to be kind and make friends? Why is this important? Preschoolers will explore the whys and hows of being kind to others and making friends as they interact with the engaging text and colorful pictures found in Be Kind, Make Friends. You can encourage preschoolers to be kind and make friends with this picture book. Preschoolers will be especially glad to follow the examples when you share that missionaries show kindness and make friends with others in their work around the world.
Just in case you were wondering, Be Kind, Make Friends is available at wmustore.com.
Haiku Moment
hot melty day means
shade magnet, but first admire
sun hula hooping
by Angie Quantrell
Yakima Valley
Book Share: The Strongest Thing, When Home Feels Hard by Hallee Adelman
The Strongest Thing, When Home Feels Hard
Written by Hallee Adelman
Illustrated by Rea Zhai
Albert Whitman & Company, 2022
Last May I won a book on Kathy Temean’s Writing and Illustrating blog. The book was The Strongest Thing, When Home Feels Hard. Wow! The topic is TOUGH, and Hallee handled it with the greatest of care. Thank you, Hallee, for sharing your picture book with me!
Book Description:
A sensitive, hopeful story about breaking the cycle of bullying and abuse.
Sera doesn’t always like being at home, where her dad’s anger feels like the strongest thing. School feels better. But when Sera gets into an argument with a friend and finds herself acting like the bully at home, she discovers that the strongest thing isn’t loud or angry at all.
Why I liked this book:
~the story is strong, captivating, and hopeful, and is written with sensitivity
~the subject matter is tough, but for those kids (and perhaps adults!) who need it, it can be a doorway to discussion
~the illustrations fit just right for the subject matter
~the book would be perfect for counselors and therapist who work with children and families
Note: I would advise adults to pre-read The Strongest Thing, When Home Feels Hard BEFORE sharing it with children. Some parts might be triggering or scary.
Thank you, Hallee and Rea, for putting this book out in the world!
You can learn more about Hallee’s books on her website.
Sunday Joy
A long ago trunk split, and then a gradual reconnecting across empty space stitched together this tree to make it amazingly strong. Plus, that window looking out across the park! Fascinating.
Palouse Falls, Washington State
New Picture Book Cover Reveal!
Just look at the joy on these precious faces! They make me smile.
I’m THRILLED to present the cover of my new picture book BE KIND, MAKE FRIENDS! Published by Woman’s Missionary Union, BE KIND, MAKE FRIENDS will be available next month. Coming soon in JUNE!
Sending much thanks and love to the fabulous team at National WMU! You rock!
Happy Mother’s Day!
This is my mama Bonnie holding me when I was 5 weeks old. My mama and me, we go way back.
If you share about moms and how hard they work, my mama did all that. Six of us to care for on a regular basis (plus the extras who showed up), in addition to an always odd and crowded collection of pets, animals, and plants. Canning, sewing, crocheting, cleaning, cooking, shopping; repeat. But also loving, guiding, correcting, teaching, caring (and dare I say, on occasion, threatening us with “you better behave or else,” we were afraid of the “or else”).
Sending Mother’s Day wishes, hugs, and love to everyone who has a mother. (I hope you all raised your hands.) And to all the moms who have children, have lost children, who have children going through tough times, who have furry children, who have grandchildren-all the loves to you!
“I thank my God every time I remember you.” -Philippians 1:3 NIV
My mama and me.
Kevin and his mama Carole. My mom too!
Love, Laughter, and Life 