What a pleasure to be able to have a long-distance chat with Ana Eguaras, illustrator of The Christmas That Almost Wasn't (Beaming Books)! Ana is a freelance illustrator based in a small town in Spain. She earned her BFA in Fine Arts from the University of Salamanca in 2021. She now works from her home… Continue reading A Conversation with Ana Eguaras
Once again I've had a chance to sit down and talk picture books with my friend and colleague John Borthwick, Director of The Centre for Lifelong Learning at Knox College. I really love that John makes space on his show for these kinds of conversations, and I always try to make sure that I have… Continue reading Back at Ministry Forum Podcast
Risa Hugo is a Canadian/Japanese illustrator with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Emily Carr University of Art and Design. She spent most of her childhood living between Canada and Japan. Risa currently lives on a small farm located in Southern interior of BC with her husband and three sons. I am absolutely delighted that Risa… Continue reading A Conversation with Risa Hugo
My first Christmas picture book is coming, and I am as excited as…well…a kid at Christmas! The Christmas That Almost Wasn’t was inspired by my memories of the ice storm of 2013. The story has slowly been taking shape since then and I am thrilled that it has found a home with Beaming Books. Editor… Continue reading Coming Soon: The Christmas That Almost Wasn’t
Every so often, a book enters your life at precisely the right time. For me, one such book was The Fantastic Jungles of Henri Rousseau by Michelle Markel and Amanda Hall. I had been in Grand Rapids for a meeting and during some free time found my way to Eerdmans for some book shopping. This… Continue reading Cover Reveal: The Curious Life of Cecilia Payne
Last month I was a guest on the Godly Play Foundation podcast and I recently had the pleasure of continuing the conversation on Mess Makes Meaning, which has similar content, but is especially directed toward parents and other caregivers. In the earlier episode, I spoke mostly about creating space for wonder and having the courage… Continue reading Mess Makes Meaning Podcast
When I was little I was scared of the dark. I imaged creatures lurking in my closet or under the bed. I hated descending alone to the shadowy basement with its oil burning furnace that sometimes whooshed to life unexpectedly with a fiery gasp and made me jump. Whenever I came home late from my… Continue reading Who Needs the Dark? Coming Soon!
Laura Alary 