Hope

Keris's novel Jessie ♥ NYC
 is out in July 2011

I'd like to thank Keris Stanton, who upon seeing reports of the Japanese earthquake decided to get on with the business of doing something about it.

She set up a blog auction Authors for Japan which was instantly flooded with donations from authors just relieved to be able to help. People, we made £11,000 (that's USD $17.616.50 or about 763,000 Philippine pesos!!!!!).

Psst! You guys are AWESOME!

I didn't meet my first author until I was a grown-up on the brink of becoming an author myself.There were no book clubs where I could trade information about my favourite books. And there weren't as many amazing books for young people as there are now.

Me as a child. Where were all the book clubs? Why was I wearing that massive bonnet?

So I have to confess, I am dead jealous of the children I meet when I do author visits to schools, libraries and festivals. I mean, talk about having the world ... you children of today are so LUCKY!

Grieving with Japan. And hoping.

Browse and bid on Authors for Japan

Haru no umi
Hinemosu notari
Notari kana 

Buson

The spring sea 
All day long it rose and fell
 Rose and fell.

I've been visiting schools these past few weeks.

I start my talk about the stories behind Tall Story with a description of my native Philippines: showing photographs I took on my visit home last year - of paddy fields, nipa huts, mountains, skyscrapers, shanties.