CeeCeeandFunnyMadame

When we started working on our new book we had to ask what a glass owl might look like. We had to use our imaginations to create something we'd never seen. It was very fun! Try this sometime; put two words together like Noodle and Mouse or Fork and Fish. Then draw what you think a Noodlemouse or a Forkfish might look like. We'd love to see your pictures! Speaking of owls, there are many, many interesting species. Want to learn more about owls? Visit the National Geographic site for kids. There are videos and lots of information. Here is a picture of the beautiful Snowy Owl.  And, here is a picture of the beautiful Snowy Bess.

The Glass Owl, our new book is here! Have you ever looked OUT a window to see who was OUTside? Have you ever looked IN a window to see who was INside? That's the story of

Ah, the world has its challenges. We've found ourselves a bit stuck of late. Not sure what to do and a bit tangled up. As if we'd gotten ourselves under a chair and couldn't get out. And then there were computer issues.  Have you ever felt this way? Our advice is to take a breath and ask for help, please. Fortunately everything is fixed. And we have exciting news to share about our new book! Check back soon, please.

What have you been doing this summer? Have you read any good books? Have you made any pictures or written any stories? We've been working on a new book. It's called, The Glass Owl .  We've been thinking about what a glass owl might look like and what a glass owl might do. We look forward to sharing our new book with you soon. Here are some pictures of Bessie rolling around in the grass. She loves to do this. What do you love to do in summer?

This is a photograph of the library I visited when I was a girl. I loved going to the library! I spent many happy hours there. I especially liked reading stories about girls who had exciting adventures.   Albert Einstein, a famous scientist said, “The only thing that you absolutely have to know is the location of the library.” Why? Because the answers to all your questions can be found there. Counting in the Studio has been accepted into the permanent collection at the Newberry Library in Chicago, Illinois. The Newberry Library is a research library which people visit to learn more about subjects that interest them. The library collection holds hundreds and hundreds of books.   We are very happy to think that our book has found a home there. We would love to see what your library looks like. Draw a picture and send it to us please!  

What is Zeus doing? Zeus is jumping. He seems to think jumping is very fun! He jumps and jumps Look at these other photos of Zeus jumping. What else do you see in the picture? Can you count the paintings on the wall? Can you count the books on the shelf? Can you count the boy's toes? Can you do some jumping? Oh, my gosh, it sure looks like fun! 1, 2, 3 jump!

Here's Zeus in the snow. He has a red ball in his mouth. You can also see that his nose is covered in snowflakes!  Have you ever tried counting snowflakes? The first few are easy but if it’s really snowing it’s almost impossible to count how many have fallen. Each snowflake is as different as each person or dog. If you would like to know more about snowflakes we recommend a wonderful book called, The Secret Life of a Snowflake: An Up-Close Look at the Art and Science of Snowflakes by Kenneth Libbrecht .   .

A man walks into a barber shop. "Hello,' says the barber, "would you like a hair cut?" "No," says the man, "I'd like them all cut." Can you imagine counting all the hairs on your head? It seems impossible. What else do you think it might be difficult to count; the grass, the stars, the cars on the highway? If you think of something that would be really hard to count please tell us. And tell us if you count something that seems like a lot. In the meantime: our new friend Zeus got a haircut recently. We don't know how many hairs were cut but he sure looks different!

  Bessie hasn’t been feeling very well. In this photograph she is waiting for her doctor to help her feel better. This happens to all of us. Sometimes we just feel sick. We get the sniffles or a tummy ache or something happens that makes us not feel like ourselves. Even though it’s not much fun, there is an opportunity for counting things even when you’re sick. You can count how many times you’ve read your favorite book, how many spoonfuls of medicine you have taken, you can count how many people have helped you to feel better. If you have to rest in order to feel better there are plenty of interesting things you can do like drawing, reading, solving puzzles, listening to music, petting your dog. If you aren't feeling well we hope you feel well very soon. Bessie is now feeling much better!

Introducing Zeus! Yes, a new dog has entered our lives. Zeus is a Standard Poodle although he has a little Golden Retriever mixed in which may account for his fabulous multi-colored coat. Zeus is a young dog and full of energy and excitement. He is great fun and a fine new friend. In this photograph Zeus is outside. He seems very interested in something. Have you ever put your nose to the ground like a dog? Try it sometime and you’ll know a little bit more about what dogs know about the world. It's green down there. We think sniffing the grass might be something like reading a long and interesting story. No wonder dogs are often so anxious to go out for a walk or nose around in the backyard. If you have a dog, take them out so they can read the world. If you don’t have a dog, take yourself out and read, read, read.