Sweet Surprise

I went to the bookstore searching for my daughter's latest fascination, Fancy Nancy. I searched the shelves and jumped when I came across a familiar spine: Lyons/Ambush One Million Men and Me.

My book was on the shelves of a local Barnes & Noble. And in bulk. There were five copies. I turned one of them face-out and thanked the manager. It was a great visit and a sweet surprise.

The Incredible Stuff of Life

I'm working on a new picture book. It's inspired by a simple, yet delightful discovery my daughter made. I feel blessed to have a chance to see the world through her eyes -- wonder at the many shades of skin, glee at learning to somersault, pride at reading a word on her own. It's the stuff of life and to her, it's magic. As I watch her eyes sparkle, I'm caught up in the spell too. But then comes the tough part: How do I turn special moments like those into story gold?

As I write and rewrite, I keep pondering that question. Typically, I'm drawn to picture books that tackle big themes -- coping with separation from a loved one, overcoming racial divides. But lately, I've been marveling at the genius of authors who capture those every-day jewels of childhood and make them feel just as incredible as a child experiencing them the first time.

I admire the vision of authors who see a world in a child's painting or a celebration in a girl learning to skip or poetry in a girl in PJs longing to dance at her parent's fancy party.

These moments I've mentioned are all parts of wonderful picture book stories I've read recently. I discovered Lily Brown's Paintings by Angela Johnson and illustrated by E.B. Lewis on a trip to a library. My daughter and I read it over and over and keep finding something new to make us laugh or smile. It's a simple concept: A child drawing a picture. But oh, what a beautiful story. For me, it was like being given a pair of wings to fly back to my childhood.

Ready, Set, Skip by Jane O'Connor and illustrated by Ann James called to me from a Barnes & Noble shelf. I connected with it right away. So did my 3-year-old daughter who had been yearning to skip but hadn't quite mastered it. After reading the book, I took a lead from the mama in the story and showed my daughter the hop, switch foot, hop that led Jane's main character to skipping victory. I cheered when my daughter did it on her own. We skipped around the house in joy.

Then, there's Mabel Dancing by Amy Hest and illustrated by Christine Davenier. I found this book a year ago and it still captivates me. Each time I read it, I become the little girl who's so entranced by the music, she dances down the stairs to her parent's party and lets her blanket cape float behind her. I dance with my daughter like Mabel's parents did with her and it's magic.

Picture books are some of the toughest stories to write. But when they're done well. They're a marvel.