Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Walk Two Moons Covers, Part II

(See yesterday's post for Part I)

Continuing yesterday's topic, below are additional book covers for foreign translations of Walk Two Moons:






The red convertible and turkey on the Polish edition (image 2, bottom left) are . . .surprising; the Korean cover in third image (bottom) seems to depict another story entirely.  

I tend to favor covers that do not depict a character on the cover, leaving the reader to 'cast' the character in his/her own mind.

What do you think?  Any favorites or not-favorites among these?

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Walk Two Moons Covers, Part I


Original American cover for Walk Two Moons


One of the American paperback covers.


I am intrigued by alternate covers for books, especially those printed in other countries. Book covers say so much about each publisher's sense of the best market for the book. You will see, below, a range of styles.  Perhaps you will choose a favorite?  And a least favorite?


British paperback covers. 

Although I am now consulted on the American covers and sometimes the British, I don't see the others until after they are published.






To be continued tomorrow.  .  .
Meanwhile, do you have any favorites or least-favorites from the above?

Saturday, November 19, 2011

November


A hawk hovering in our yard, waiting to scoop up dinner in the form of a chipmunk.


Squirrel stopping for a snack on the steps.


I am inside, writing my words, my mind half in and half out of the window.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

The Eyes Have It


I am drawn to eyes
pulled in by them

This is how I know someone:
by their eyes

their eyes

their eyes

. . .

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Love that Pup, Love those Kids


Roan

This is Roan, my grandchildren's new pup, a rescue dog part-Australian Shepherd and part Dachshund. 

He is the softest, sweetest, floppiest dog I've ever met. Look at that face. 

My husband and I have just returned from visiting our daughter and grandchildren. We are besotted with the grandchildren - and now - the puppy, too. But I won't blather on about it.  I don't have the right words to tell you without sounding enormously sappy.

It was hard to leave.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Walk Two Moons: the Chicago Performance


On Saturday, my husband and I attended Adventure Stage's brilliant, lively, engaging performance of Walk Two Moons at the Vittum Theater in Chicago.  Wow!

It seemed fitting and perfect that the play was opening in Chicago, for that is where I received the Newbery Medal for this book in June, 1995.

The Adventure Stage group put on a professional, polished ensemble production that moved me greatly. Laughed. Cried. Loved the actors, director, crew, playwright.  Everyone.  Full house - a beautiful audience with a great mix of students, parents, teachers, librarians and general public.  Wonderful, cozy theater.


The above shot is an attempt to capture the giant poster advertising the play. That's me and a mysterious red-hooded child in the reflection.

After the play, I joined the cast and playwright onstage for 'talk back' - taking questions, both serious and humorous, from the audience.  Following that was a reception for all (with ice cream) and book signing.

We loved it all.  The next morning, before we left for the airport, we took a walk on Michigan Avenue.


Sun, tall buildings, blue sky, people strolling and running.


And this great statue of Marilyn Monroe.
We watched as so many tourists posed beneath her . . .
and they all looked UP.

No, we didn't do it.
Too shy?

Bye, bye, Chicago.

(The play runs through December 3. More info at AdventureStage.org)

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Walk Two Moons on Stage


The Adventure Stage in Chicago has adapted Walk Two Moons for the stage, opening today for students and on Saturday for the public.  I'll be there on Saturday.  Can't wait!

It is an odd experience to see your words acted out by others and to see and hear the audience's reactions. It's as if you are viewing someone else's creation - which, in part, it is - but a creation that is so intimate, so familiar, that you feel disoriented, but in a good way.

There is more information here:

Adventure Stage: Walk Two Moons

If you're in Chicago, go see it. It runs November 5 - December 3.  Ticket information at above link.

Huzza, huzza --