Occasional News and Other Stuff from Jeanne Birdsall

The Magic Half is a brand new book by Annie Barrows. I've read it twice now, and here are the reasons I love it. It's a snuggle-on-the-couch-and-read-all-the-way-through kind of book, which means, for me, that it has a great story and it's well-written. Its title is a tribute to Half Magic by Edward Eager, one of my favorite books of all time. Annie writes as well about emotions as she does about the logic of time travel (very few people can do both!) And, not least, it introduced me to Annie, who is now a friend. Give it a try.

My friend Jessica C. has designed a cool board game called "Oh No, Mrs. Tifton!", which happens to be something I say to myself all the time! The goal of the game is 'to rescue Jeffrey and the rabbit Yaz without getting caught by Mrs. Tifton.' An excellent goal. Thank you, Jessica!

This diorama was built by Freya, my talented friend. It shows Batty about to dash across the road after she's run away. Here's a close-up. Look at the beautiful wings Freya gave Batty!

My editor and I are hard at work on the next book about the Penderwicks, due out in 2008. Just as in the first book, I'm borrowing bits and pieces from my own childhood. Here's one hint. A major character in the book is Tommy Geiger, who lives across the street from the Penderwicks, and loves football above all. To help me with Tommy, a friend of mine who went to elementary school with me (a million years ago!) lent me his picture from way back then. Here's the picture:

The most delicious gingerbread showed up in my mailbox today. It came from Carly in California, who not only baked it, but generously sent along the recipe, too. Unfortunately, I can't cook, but I have friends who can, and they've promised to make me more gingerbread after I've finished Carly's. Hurray for people who cook! And thanks, Carly!

My new webpage is going on-line any day now. If you're reading this, it's already there! The designer and administrator is my brilliant stepdaughter, Amy. Here's a picture of Amy and her husband, Tim. They're writers, too.