I saw a Boing Boing link to this video of Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan, and suddenly remembered a book that I loved as a kid. It was called Helen Keller’s Teacher and it was the story of Anne’s struggle to reach Helen and teach her to communicate.

I found the cover image. Now I’m going to have to look for a copy of the book… immediately!

I just went to Kidsbooks, refused to let my children buy the sticker books they wanted, and bought myself a copy of The Hunger Games. Was that wrong?

I have no idea what this says, but apparently it’s the German edition of Truth. Iz cool, ya?

I’ve been teaching the non-fiction workshop at the Vancouver Public Library’s book camp this week, and whew… this whole teaching thing is tiring. Nonetheless, it’s been a ton of fun. Here are some of the things I’ve learned so far:

• There are 12-year-olds more talented than I am.
• Ivan E. Coyote is cool. (And the new writer in residence.)
• The word “fascinating” should be banned from all non-fiction writing.
• Kari-Lynn Winters knows actual techniques for writing funny stuff. (I would like to know them. But then I’d have to skip my own workshop to go to hers.)
• Stories about little brothers poisoning themselves are all the rage.
• I really don’t have the wardrobe necessary to leave the house five days in a row.

And, my personal favorite, overheard from Christopher Millin’s character workshop:

• Characters don’t have to be human.

Well, they do in my non-fiction workshop. ‘Cause I’m all about the FACTS!

My publisher sent me this rather scary YouTube video, with the suggestion that I start a band to promote next spring’s release, 50 Burning Questions.

The publisher’s husband has agreed to play guitar, and Min’s going to be on drums. Would anyone else like to volunteer?

If you’re a fan of libraries, rainforests, butterflies and small children, you can sign an on-line petition to save them here. Well, okay, the petition is only actually about the libraries. If you write your own letter to the B.C. government, you can include mention of the rest.

In the ongoing fairy book fiasco, here are the titles currently checked out from the library by my daughter: Chloe the Topaz Fairy, Penny the Pony Fairy, Jessica the Jazz Dance Fairy, and Sunny the Yellow Fairy.

An interesting development… Sunny the Yellow Fairy actually includes character development. All previous 6001 fairies have been similarly, insufferably sweet, but Sunny is a certified twit. She’s quite possibly stoned on honey fumes. It makes for more interesting reading.

I’ve been reading Mom, Will This Chicken Give Me Man Boobs? by Robyn Harding, also the author of My Parents Are Sex Maniacs. I have to admit, I’m curious about Robyn. I’m a little worried that when I meet here, she’ll look like me. Check out this list:

• Robyn lives in Kitsilano… I live in Kitsilano.
• Robyn is a writer… I’m a writer.
• Robyn is sometimes published by Annick… I’m sometimes published by Annick.
• Robyn grew up in the sticks… I grew up in the place formerly known as the sticks.
• Robyn has young children… I have young children.
• Robyn tries to be environmentally conscious… I try to be environmentally conscious.
• Robyn lives upstairs from Judith… I hang with Judith at the playground.

Yes, I’m worried that my mother secretly had twins and we were separated at birth. Except, Robyn is about a thousand times funnier than I am. (Is that genetic? Does that skewer my theory?)

Anyway, Mom, Will This Chicken Give Me Man Books? is written in a humorous, self-deprecating style. Which at times led me to the inevitable conclusion:

• Robyn is sometimes a bit of a ditz… I am sometimes a bit of a ditz.

Sigh. Perhaps you all already knew that. Despite the conclusion, Mom, Will This Chicken Give Me Man Books? is a fun read, and manages to talk about environmental issues without making one want to slit one’s wrists… no small accomplishment.

I love this book. I am in love with this book. I want to marry it.