middle grade novels

nine cool things on a tuesday

~ jama ~ 16 Comments

1. Hello and Happy March! Has it come in like a lion or a lamb where you are? Whatever the case may be, March is known for changeable weather, so why not welcome it with a bit of beauty in anticipation of spring?

Oregon artist Katie Daisy — one of our faves — always brings the sunshine, joys of nature, and upbeat inspiration. Think wildflowers, songbirds, meadows, wide open prairie skies, magic and enchantment. Can’t get enough of her vibrant colors and vintage hand lettering (so many great quotes!).

Whenever I’m feeling down, I pop over to her Etsy Shop to see what’s new. This time around, the designs that caught my eye were her stamp collection, prairie dresses, happy home, sweet as pie, and the adorable morning glory brunch club (yum!). 🙂

Just so many lovely designs! Besides prints, she sells t-shirts, notebooks, greeting cards, mugs, tote bags, etc., and she’s recently added fabrics and gift wrap. Something for everyone. For much more, visit her Official Website, The Wheatfield, her Facebook and Instagram.

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[chat + giveaway] Candice Ransom on Juneberry Blue

~ jama ~ 9 Comments

Today we’re happy to welcome back prolific award-winning author, intrepid adventurer and pie lover Candice Ransom to discuss her latest middle grade novel, Juneberry Blue (Peachtree, 2024), officially out next week.

Set in the tiny forgotten town of Morning Glory, Virginia (pop: 8), this beautifully crafted tale of magical realism centers around eleven-year-old Andie Jennings, who instead of inheriting her family’s unique ability to create life-changing recipes, discovers her special gift is being able to communicate with spirits.

If Andie and her brainiac friend Tanner can help the local ghosts at the abandoned Juneberry Blue soda factory ward off a shady property developer, gain access to a locked tower and unravel secrets surrounding the factory’s closing, they might be able to save their sleepy town. Reopening the factory would draw visitors to Morning Glory, generate business for her family’s struggling diner, and best of all, bring Andie’s father home for good from his truck-driving job.

On Test Day, Andie hopes her juneberry pancakes will confirm she’s inherited the matrilineal gift. Juneberries resemble blueberries but taste more like a combination of dark cherries and raisins with a hint of almond (click for recipe at Spirit and Abundance).

A heartwarming, suspenseful story, Juneberry Blue is equal parts fairy tale, magic, mystery, and local history flavored with sly humor. Candice celebrates her love of small towns, rural settings, close knit communities, and the power of storytelling passed down through generations. Add a ghost cat, memorable characters, a sentient potted plant with attitude, a tiny terrarium, and cool animal guides for a thoroughly enchanting read. Oh, and did I mention the cathead biscuits and bacon, grilled pound cake, butterscotch pie, skillet fried potatoes, walnut brownies and fried bologna sandwiches? 😍

Our thanks to Candice for dropping by to tell us more and for sharing such wonderful personal photos.

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nine cool things on a tuesday

~ jama ~ 7 Comments

1. Happy June! Are you ready for the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer? In her charming watercolors, Louisiana artist Amariah Rauscher captures the magic of childhood play. Remember those long summer days when you had the leisure to daydream, look for fairies in the forest, befriend dragons or catch a falling star?

I was first drawn to Amariah’s treehouse pictures, delighted by the prospect of visiting a bakery, candy store, greenhouse, or ice cream shop perched high atop the branches. Of course there are lots of adorable animal friends to keep you company and share in the fun.

Amariah is the illustrator of the Princess Truly book series written by Kelly Greenawalt and published by Scholastic. She has a Masters in Communication but prefers spending her time painting pictures. She also enjoys reading, watching cartoons, playing board and video games and spending time with her two daughters. A peanut butter and jelly fan, she can attest to the joys of wearing slippery socks in order to slide into every room of her house.

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nine cool things on a tuesday

~ jama ~ 12 Comments

1. Happy June! The lazy days of summer are just about upon us. How will you while away the hours — relaxing on a quiet beach, sharing ice cream with friends, or indulging in some midsummer magic with your favorite critters?

Michigan artist and illustrator Gretchen Ellen Powers helps us envision the possibilities in her beautiful pictures. In fact, her debut picture book, Summer’s Call (written by Amber Lynn Hellewell) captures the feeling of a “Michigan summer,” something she’s known well since childhood.

The nostalgic feel and soft, muted palette of Gretchen’s art is reminiscent of Tasha Tudor. I also see a touch of Amy June Bates in how she draws her characters. I like the old fashioned throwback to classics such as Anne of Green Gables and Little Women in some of her pictures — a comforting nod to simpler times. And one of her favorites is Beatrix Potter. 🙂

Prior to Summer’s Call, she created 30 interior illustrations for the 75th Anniversary Edition of the Boxcar Children. She’s also done label and greeting card design and editorial work for such clients as The Telegraph (Stella Magazine), Mollie Makes, Lionheart Magazine, and Creature Comforts.

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nine cool things on a tuesday

~ jama ~ 18 Comments

1. Happy September! Apple for the teacher? Perhaps you’d like to visit a busy outdoor market, enjoy a relaxing picnic, or steep yourself in the delicious aromas coming from the kitchen?

Elena Narkevich’s beautiful acrylic on canvas naïve paintings are characterized by vibrant colors, inventive compositions, precise details, and a strong narrative component. 

Born in Minsk, Belarus, but now living and working in Spain, Elena is able to capture a wide range of human emotions in her pictures: happiness, love, surprise, delight, wonder, sometimes sadness. 

Her dynamic and joyful scenes from everyday life, sometimes laced with a touch of humor or irony, are widely accessible because of their uncomplicated universal themes. 

Love her work! For more, visit Elena’s Instagram. Originals may be purchased via 1stDibs.com, and prints are available at Art.com and AllPosters.com.

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