April 2008
Hello Friends!
Happy Sunny Spring. Hope all is well in your world. I’m glad you are
visiting my site.
Thanks to those who came to a signing for my new book, Catching the Sun,
illustrated by Peter Catalanotto, and edited my dear friend and
children’s lit sparkler extraordinaire, Judy O’Malley, Charlesbridge
Publishing. It is my seventh book for young readers. I will be doing
another round of signings this July on Cape Cod. Come visit!
While I’m thinking of picture books, I’m happy to report that my
ABC-celebration of children, 26 Big Things Small Hands Do, illus. by
Mike Reed, Free Spirit, a favorite in hard-cover since 2005, will be
also released in paperback this June. Check it out!
Thanks to my friend Judy Ehrensbeck for hosting me at Town of Webb
Schools in Old Forge for a wonderful chat about the “Willa books” with
her high school group. (Check out the photo in my pictures section )
and thanks to Izzie Worthen for hosting me at the Old Forge Library that
evening. It was especially great fun to share these events with my
mother, Peg Spain Murtagh, who, along with her siblings has recently
refurbished one of the original Okara Lakes camps.
What a wonderful time I had visiting with students at Van Corlaer
Elementary, Schenectady, NY in March (you are amazing, Liz Walsh!) and
at North Albany Academy (thank you Amisha Gomes and members of Mayor
Jennings Tulip Queen Court for inviting me; and special thanks to 3rd
and 4th grade students Dexana, Iyonna, Thomasina, Eneah, Allie, Elijah,
Aolana, Sydney, Taylor, and JoJo for our super conversation!)
This week I was honored to be one of the judges for WMHT Public TV’s
“Reading Rainbow” Young Author’s and Illustrator’s contest. Wow, was I
impressed by the writing and illustrating of the young people who
entered!! Woohoo!! Keep on writing and creating your art. You have so
much talent.
As always, the greatest joy of my professional life is the writing. I am
happiest when I am writing. My next book, The Funeral Director’s Son
book will be out this summer. Can’t wait for you to read! Kids in the
schools are asking me “Is the wedding planner’s daughter going to meet
the funeral director’s son?” Good question!
A brand new, younger middle grade novel, SUNNY HOLIDAY, my first book
with Scholastic Press, is finished and will be out in January. I
absolutely love this girl.
That’s all for now. Off to the Texas Library Association Conference.
Should be fun!
Sunny Happy Spring Wishes,
Let Your Heart Be Your Compass,
Read on, write on, dream BIG!
Coleen 
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