“October is the treasure of the year,/And all the months pay bounty to her store . . . ” ~ Paul Laurence Dunbar

1. Happy October!! Surely the prettiest fall month. Poland-based artist Asia Spettel’s cozy “cottagecore” paintings are the perfect way to celebrate the season.

I couldn’t find any information online about her other than she works mainly in acrylics and enjoys imagining herself in the scenes she paints.

Personally, I wouldn’t mind sitting on that porch sipping tea and nibbling on cake, or hanging out in this lakeside kitchen with soup bubbling on the stove, a plate of cinnamon rolls and a copy of Wuthering Heights on the table. My kind of place! It’s so much fun studying all the details.

Don’t you love the beautiful rustic colors and the animals that wander through her pictures (fox is my favorite)? Of course her table settings, filled with fruit and baked treats, are what caught my eye in the first place. 🙂 In these crazy times, Asia’s work provides much needed comfort and solace.

You can purchase originals, prints, and postcards featuring Asia’s work at her Etsy Shop. Other places to enjoy her online: FB Page and Instagram.

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2. New Picture Book Alert!! Coming out this Thursday, October 9, is MY SISTER’S DOLJABI by Ginger Park and Frances Park and Violet Kim (Albert Whitman & Co., 2025):

Hoon’s baby sister Binna is about to turn one year old, which means it’s time to celebrate her doljabi—the Korean first birthday tradition where a child chooses an object that will determine their future. Each member of the family hopes for Binna to pick a different object. Hoon desperately wants Binna to choose the thread, which is said to guarantee her a long life, but she seems to have other plans. Can he influence her to pick the right item? And what will happen if she chooses a different one instead?

I was lucky enough to read an advanced digital copy of this charming book and enjoyed learning a bit more about doljabi and seeing the touching relationship between Hoon and his baby sister Binna. So sweet! The story has just enough suspense to keep kids engaged and I liked the emphasis on making things more personal and meaningful: Hoon’s mom explained why she chose to sew rather than purchase Binna’s first hanbok, and the family gathered their own doljabi objects rather than buy a doljabi set.

Hoon’s parents also explained the significance of each of the five objects they chose to present to Binna; along with Hoon, readers can pick which object they’d like to see Binna choose. And of course, no birthday party is complete without mouthwatering treats. The table is set with traditional foods like rainbow rice cake, half-moon rice cakes, dates and fruit. Yum!

Violet Kim’s bright and cheery illustrations will keep readers in a festive, upbeat mood as they study cultural details presented in the story. My Sister’s Doljabi is such fun to read and is a truly delightful way to learn about this beloved first birthday tradition.

Enjoy the official book trailer:

Congratulations to Ginger Park, Frances Park, and Violet Kim!

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3. Stitch It Up!! Friends, Concerned American Citizens:

Just wanted to help spread the word about an ongoing crowd-sourced community art project called DEMOCRACY IN STITCHES, initiated by Vermont fiber artist extraordinaire India Tresselt.

She’s invited everyone to create small pieces with the unifying theme of STAND UP – for freedom, reproductive rights, truth, the planet, due process, science, racial justice, immigration, LGBTQA+ etc., etc. Your choice of medium – stitch, fiber, yarn, fabric (embroidery, knitting, weaving, crocheting, quilting).

Textiles not your thing? What about colored pencils, paint, ink, paper, canvas? – whatever makes you happy. The important thing is to channel your feelings about this moment in American history into art as a form of peaceful protest.

Resist, make a statement, uplift, inspire, stand up! Sometimes when it feels like the world is falling apart, the best thing to do is to MAKE SOMETHING NEW. Take a photo of your small piece, then send it to India (indiart@yarndancevermont.com). She will post all submissions on the Democracy in Stitches and Yarndance FB Pages, at the Yarndance webpage, and on her Instagram. No limit as to number of pieces per person. Share your creations widely on social media (#democracyinstitches) and encourage others to participate. Tag all your creative, crafty, artsy, committed-to-Democracy friends. Please help spread the word!! 🙂

**Check out the official project poster for all the details and enjoy these sample pieces. Thanks for uniting us in purpose, India!

***To learn more about India Tresselt’s gorgeous fiber art, revisit my Indie Artist Spotlight feature.

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4. Ceramics Fix: If you’re in the mood for sweet and whimsical, Minnesota-based Katie at HappyLilBear has you covered. Seriously, did you think I could possibly resist a ceramicist who names her business after a bear??!!

All her pieces are handmade and hand-painted (some are wheel thrown while others are hand-built). Dishes are food-safe and microwave-safe, handwashing recommended.

Her pottery range includes plates, mugs, cups, bowls, spoons, and trinket dishes. She also sells other miscellaneous items in her shop (bookmarks, stickers, key chains, enamel pins, etc.).

I like her bowl and spoon sets. So cute! The dainty designs — little fruits and flowers — are adorable. Most of her pieces must be pre-ordered with a lead time of about 4-6 weeks (get your holiday orders in now!). 🙂

See lots more at Katie’s Etsy Shop, HappyLilBear!

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5. Another New Picture Book Alert: Look what’s coming out October 14: MARY OLIVER: Holding Onto Wonder by Erin Frankel and Jasu Hu (Calkins Creek, 2025):

This lyrical picture book biography of beloved American poet Mary Oliver shows young readers ages 7 – 10 how her love of nature and sense of wonder inspired her art.

Young Mary Oliver was enthralled by nature. In the forest, she wondered about the birds and the lilies and the water in the stream—about all the things that cannot speak yet somehow spoke to Mary. She wondered, too, about poetry, about how words pieced together filled her with light and how some poems felt like they were written just for her. How could this be? 

Author Erin Frankel shows how Mary Oliver held on to that sense of wonder from her childhood, channeling it into some of the most beloved poems of the past hundred years. Illustrator Jasu Hu’s lush nature scenes beautifully complement Frankel’s soulful writing about the creative process. Together text and art honor Mary Oliver and her astonishing poetry.

Doesn’t this sound wonderful? Looking forward to reading it since I really enjoyed Erin Frankel’s book about Chef José Andrés, A Plate of Hope, which I featured here. Since Erin is also a poet, it’s no surprise she would choose to write a picture book biography about a fellow female poet. I imagine this book is written in the same lyrical style as the Andrés book. 🙂

In addition to this title, I’m also excited about two other Mary Oliver children’s books: Woods & Words: The Story of Poet Mary Oliver by Sara Holly Ackerman and Naoko Stoop (Beach Lane Books, 2025), and Goldfinches by Mary Oliver and Melissa Sweet (Viking BFYR, 2026). My review of Woods & Words is coming soon and I hope to also feature Goldfinches next year. Bring on the beauty!

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6. Special Treat for Ashley Wolff Fans: Our favorite Vermont author-illustrator was featured in a special video created by the Brandon Artists Guild in conjunction with her being named their September Artist of the Month.

We get a nice look around Ashley’s studio, the ArtBarn, where she shares some of her children’s books and talks a little about making linocut block prints (the medium for her current book project).

I love seeing where artists create their magic, don’t you? I remain in awe of Ashley’s talent — she’s such a versatile artist who works in different mediums and styles to include fine art as well as children’s book illustration. She’s also a dedicated teacher who offers online courses and usually teaches every summer at Hollins University.

We’ve had the pleasure of interviewing Ashley several times, most recently for her book with Janna Matthies, My Towering Tree (Beach Lane Books, 2024). Since it’s October, also check out How to Help a Pumpkin Grow (Beach Lane Books, 2021), which features her inimitable border collie, Lord Rufus of Dunsmore!! Lots of cool process photos in both posts. Don’t forget to check out her Etsy Shop to purchase prints, bird ornaments, and books.

Enjoy the video, soak up the gorgeousness, emerge inspired!

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7. Haute Cuisine for Halloween: If you’re planning a somewhat ghoulish gathering this month, and want to kick things up a notch beyond peeled grape eyeballs and spaghetti guts, consider A RAVENOUS FEAST: Spellbinding Recipes Inspired by the Literary Works of Edgar Allan Poe by Veronica Hinke (Weldon Owen, 2025):

A collection of delicious, ghastly, gothic recipes and entertaining ideas inspired by the dark literature of Edgar Allan Poe.

Enjoy this elegantly ghoulish culinary journey through the literary world of Edgar Allan Poe. A Ravenous Feast is a unique cookbook that pairs Poe’s notable macabre aesthetic with delicious, themed recipes and entertaining ideas. This collection offers brilliant hosting tips for your next haunted gathering, from an afternoon gothic tea party to a spell-binding medieval murder mystery dinner.

Discover more than 70 carefully crafted recipes that reflect the essence of Poe, like the Vulture-Eye Pasta, a savory side of Catacombs Roasted Zucchini and Black Rice with Bell Peppers, or The City in the Sea Violet Ice Cream. This book is a delicious and engaging way to explore Poe’s literary world and legacy. The simple recipes and gathering tips are ideal for easy entertaining and impressing your family and friends at home. Whether you are a devout fan of Poe, a lover of dark literary classics and gothic horror, or just a curious and adventurous food lover, A Ravenous Feast has the perfect dish for you.

PERFECT FOR THEMED GATHERINGS: Unique and memorable menu ideas, perfect for hosting themed dinners, Halloween parties, and other spooky celebrations.

POE’S AESTHETIC: Each recipe is designed to easily bring the gothic aesthetic and macabre essence of Poe’s work to “life” in your kitchen, with straightforward directions and accessible ingredients.

STUNNING VISUALS: Features visually captivating photography of each recipe to ensure your creation is on the right delicious, gothic, ghoulish track.

How marvelously macabre, exquisitely eerie! This might well inspire me to reread some of Poe’s classic stories. Still remember how spooked I was after reading “The Tell-Tale Heart” and “The Cask of Amontillado” in high school. Some things stay with you forever.

Judging from the sample photos, these recipes look like they would definitely impress your guests. A Ham Salad served inside a skull? Squid Ink Pasta with Pan-Seared Scallops and Raspberry Sauce? A Hideous (Gelatin) Heart for dessert? Frightful fare extraordinaire, classy creepiness on a silver platter. Yes, please!

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8. New Poetry Graphic Novel Alert: Coming out October 28 is LIMELIGHT: Curtain Up on Poetry Comics! by Renée M. LaTulippe and Chuck Gonzales (Charlesbridge Moves, 2025):

A clever kids’ graphic novel featuring a unique collection of theater-inspired poems, told in 3 acts that chronicle a musical, from auditions to opening night!

Young thespian fans of Theater Camp and Better Nate Than Ever will cherish this love letter to theater and theater production. Enjoy the show!

An appealing combination of fun comic illustrations and verse, Limelight is a collection in 3 acts and takes place during the mounting of a middle-school musical theater production. From auditions to rehearsals to the drama of opening night, this genre busting, poetry graphic novel gives voice to all things theater.

Script’s Tips
Dear actors, advice:
be perfect, precise—
say what the playwright wrote!

Throw in some spice,
some fire and ice,
but please, don’t overemote.

Personification of the script, the rehearsal piano, the dressing room mirror and more, these fresh and funny poems prove that all the world’s indeed a stage in this unprecedented middle-grade graphic novel.

Back matter includes information on poetic forms and theater terms to further enhance the reading.

I’m excited about reading this one, as I remember Renée mentioning a collection of theatre poems awhile ago. Love the idea of poetry comics, too — great way to showcase poems in an inventive format and to encourage poetry phobics to dive right in.

On her website, Renée had this to say about the book:

I wrote Limelight over a few months in 2015 under the mentorship of my dear friend Lee Bennett Hopkins. He pushed, pushed, PUSHED me to write the best poems I possibly could, always sending them back with direct but gentle suggestions, or simply with a note: “Not yet. Almost.” It was always a great day when I finally got the note that said, “This is it.”

Renée wrote one of the poems, “Opening Night,” way back in 2012, long before the idea of a theatre poem collection was born. It was first published in The Poetry Friday Anthology for Middle School (Pomelo Books, 2013), and is now included in Limelight.

Enjoy this 2013 video of Renée reciting “Opening Night” which was posted at her blog No Water River. It was filmed at Teatro dei Concordi in Campiglia Marittima, close to her home in Tuscany, Italy. She was acting in a show at the time, and snuck in a little early before the performance to use the set as a background.

Limelight has received glowing reviews from Publishers Weekly and Kirkus, and is geared for kids ages 9-12+. Available for pre-order now!!

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9. Keep your spirits high: Just right for seasonal play or decor are these 100% merino wool handmade needle felted figurines by SpiritInFelt of Boulder, CO.

Whether you’re into Halloween, Día de Muertos, Thanksgiving or Harvest Festivals, there’s something to help you celebrate the goodness that is Autumn. Figures range in size from about 4 inches to 7 inches; these would look good on a mantel or Waldorf nature table, or even as a Thanksgiving table centerpiece.

See all the offerings at the SpirtInFelt Etsy Shop. Salem Witches or Wednesday Adams, anyone? 🙂

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Our Swoon Tune this month honors Jackson Browne, who turns 77 on October 9. “Somebody’s Baby” was co-written with legendary session guitarist Danny Kortchmar (“Kootch”) and recorded by Browne in 1982 for the soundtrack of the classic teen coming-of-age film, “Fast Times at Ridgemont High.”

Story goes, Kortchmar had written the chorus and asked Browne to help him with the verses. The song reached No. 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and is the highest charting single of Browne’s career. It’s also his most pop-oriented song, with Ultimate Classic Rock critic Michael Gallucci calling it one of his most unlikely love songs — “sweet, and surprisingly despair-free.”

Not sure exactly when the video was shot; I’m guessing early to mid 80’s. In any case, Jackson is in top form (love his disarming smile). Danny can be seen on lead guitar “with attitude” (black blazer, salmon shirt, to Browne’s far left).

One thing I will say: at age 77, the quality of Browne’s voice is still amazing and sounds just as good as it did decades ago. How does he do it? Oh, and did you know his actual first name is “Clyde”? He was named after his father (Clyde Jack Browne). Glad he decided to go by “Jackson” instead. He’d be swoon-worthy no matter what, but for me “Clyde” just sounds more pin-striped suit conservative and I find it hard to imagine my younger adoring self, hand on forehead, fainting dead away, sighing, “Oh Clyde, Clyde, I love you Clyde . . . ” 😀

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HAPPY TUESDAY

HAPPY WEEK

FROLIC IN AUTUMN LEAVES

HAPPY APPLE MONTH

HAPPY COOKIE MONTH

EAT DARK CHOCOLATE ON OCTOBER 28 (National Chocolate Day)

SING “IMAGINE” ON OCTOBER 9 (John Lennon’s Birthday)

RESIST

BE TRUE

DON’T LET THEM STEAL YOUR JOY

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*Copyright © 2025 Jama Rattigan of Jama’s Alphabet Soup. All rights reserved.