Happy New Year.

Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Adorable since 500 Days of Summer.

12 x 12 in 2012, A Picture Book Writing Challenge

A new challenge for picture book writers.

Initiated by Julie Hedlund, 12 x 12 in 2012 is a sure-fire way to kick start your writing for the new year and multiply your output. Did you look back at 2011 and wish you'd written more (like me)?

Here's help.

The mission: Write one picture book draft per month for each of the twelve months of 2012. Your drafts do not need to be polished, but you do need a beginning, middle, and an end.

What a great way to use those PiBoIdMo ideas.

Let me know if you've signed up. Thanks to Rebecca for sharing the link!

Xoxo.

Kristin

A new story of friendship.

That's sure to be a classic.

It may be my go-to gift book of 2012.

I've been waiting, waiting ever since I first heard about this book over a year ago, and now it's almost here! The idea is brilliant, and the art looks oh-so delightful.

Here is the PW review: When Blue Met Egg

Lindsay Ward. Dial, $16.99 (32p) ISBN 978-0-8037-3718-1

A foldout bird’s-eye view of Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge—rendered in an airy cut-paper composition that features scraps of test answer sheets and a New York City map—is a highlight of Ward’s (Pelly and Mr. Harrison Visit the Moon) story about a kindhearted, stocking-capped bird. When Blue mistakes an errant winter snowball that lands in her nest for an egg that’s lost its mother, she snaps into action. Toting her tiny white charge in a bright orange pail, Blue embarks on a months-long search high and low, uptown and downtown, canvassing her fellow birds. The trip yields treasures like carousel rides and hot dogs, but no mama for Egg, who starts to shrink once warmer weather rolls around. Happily, spring provides a sunny conclusion. Those familiar with New York will recognize skyline landmark buildings, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, and other stops in this uplifting Big Apple adventure. And Ward offers a plethora of fun visual details—Bird posting “Lost Egg” signs; Bird and Egg seated in a box at the opera—along the way. Ages 3–5. Agent: Andrea Brown Literary Agency. (Feb.)

Congrats to Ms. Ward and to Blue, whose sunny outlook I already adore.

I think I will hug her and squeeze her and call her George.

I can't stop laughing.

The 56 best/worst analogies written by high school students.

I'm sure these are more hysterical when sleep deprived.

My favorite is #10.