The Returning Light
Once more around the sun, dear friends
Well, the sun is setting so early these days that it seems like bedtime at 4 o’clock. But take heart! The solstice is near, and even in the dead of winter the light will soon be growing. (And besides, the weather has been so warm here in NYC, I’m hoping my peppers will winter over! Could happen; The rosemary has overwintered for many years now.)
Things have been so busy, I can only fit a few items in this newsletter. I hope you enjoy reading about them, and until the next one, I wish you the very happiest and warmest festivals of light!
THE EMMYS
Let’s not bury the lead, I am going to the Emmys! I’m flying out to L.A. in a couple of weeks (I hope I have time to swim in the pool!), donning a tuxedo (where does one even get one these days? The last time I wore one was at the prom), and hitting the red carpet to cheer for my show, Interrupting Chicken (Apple TV+, now in its second season).
The show has been nominated for 2 Emmys: one for Younger Voice Performance in a Preschool, Children’s, or Young Teen Program—Juliet Donenfeld who plays the chicken, Piper; and one for Writing for a Preschool Animated Program—for the talented writers who wrote all the scripts, including head writer Ron Halsey. Well deserved. Juliet has a marvelous voice and is so skilled and expressive. And the writing is tender and funny and teaches kids about writing!
I can’t wait to meet Ron, and producer Loris Lunsford, and hopefully Juliet, too. The pandemic and dispersed geography forced us to all work online, and we’ve never met. You know, the funny thing is, I almost didn't ask if I could go. I was shy! But my heart said, Come on, at least ask. What’s the worst they can say? No? I mean, how often do you get to go to the Emmys? So I did. And, after a while, it was looking promising, and after another while, they said yes! Apple would fly me out and pay for everything. I’m telling you, people, ask for what you want. You just might get it!
Make the wish, make the ask.
Anyway, congratulations to Juliet and to the writers. No matter what happens, this is big!
SECOND GRAPHIC NOVEL OUT JANUARY 2!
To kick off the new year, Beaky Barnes and the Devious Duck drops January 2.
This zany sequel to Beaky Barnes: Egg on the Loose is guaranteed to bring the laughs for kids in grades 1-4 and their grownups.
PREORDER NOW ←Preorder from your choice of vendors (Please and thank you!)
Kirkus gave it a starred review, saying:
"A love letter to libraries...Stein's trademark artwork...never misses...An early lesson on community-based, restorative justice. To deliver that message while still infusing the book with zany, chaotic humor is nothing short of masterful... Both delightfully quirky and thought provoking."
See Interior Images in this School Library Journal Preview
Get a behind-the-scenes peek in this School Library Journal Interview
Thank you to Brigid Alverson at SLJ for the coverage!
Here’s a video of me drawing and painting the characters:
GIFTS! GIFTS!
Lastly for today: Need a gift for new babies, kids, animal lovers, book lovers, or kids-at-heart? Visit my Etsy Store for a wide selection of framed and unframed prints.
That’s all for now! Have a lovely light filled few weeks.
Please leave a comment: What do you want that you are afraid to ask for? Have you ever asked for something you really wanted and then to your surprise, got it?
And remember to ask for what you want in life—who knows, you just might get it!
Warm wishes,
David