Author: Earl @ The Chronicles Of A Children's Book Writer
Hello! I’m Earl.
I live in Portland, Oregon- a city of readers, a wonderland for book lovers.
I work at a wonderful children’s bookstore where I am surrounded by amazing, inspiring stories and come across many “kindred spirits.”
I volunteer with various literary nonprofits.
For fun, I love to visit other bookstores and libraries.
I firmly believe that book people are the best people.
I hope you join me as I share some of my recent reads, my bookish travels, and my ups and downs as I try to get published.
I’ve moved over to The StoryGraph to avoid the Amazon-owned Goodreads. It’s still a learning curve and it doesn’t have some of the convenience Goodreads offers but, at least, I’ve been reviewing again. I’m trying this new format this week which saves me a bit of time but I wish they included the covers. Not only that but I’m using my phone to post this to get it up today so pardon any other weird formatting issues!
Thanks to Unleashing Readers and Teach Mentor Texts for this meme!
(Note: I’m working on this post on my phone so the formatting will be a surprise for all of us. I apologize.)
I would say April has been a chaotic month. It feels like this past few months has been a sort of free fall, and, at this point, I’m just waiting for it to stop so I can assess the situation and plan from there.
But, another perspective that has helped me is knowing I’m surrounded by kind and generous people who care for me and my well-being. They act like parachutes to help me make sure I don’t crash to the ground.
So far in 2022, I’ve read 215 books. The breakdown is: 6- Adult novels 3- Adult non-fiction 13- Graphic novels 31- Middle Grade novels (Goal: 52) 160- Picture Books and Board Books 2- Young Adult novels
of which 63- Nonfiction Picture Books (Goal: 104) 20- Audio Books
I’ve moved over to The StoryGraph to avoid the Amazon-owned Goodreads. It’s still a learning curve and it doesn’t have some of the convenience Goodreads offers but, at least, I’ve been reviewing again. I wish they included the covers.
Thanks to Unleashing Readers and Teach Mentor Texts for this meme!
I was interviewed for Portland Monthly magazine back in December and the Spring 2022 issue was recently released. It’s been very flattering and humbling to have had this experience and to feel the positive feedback I’ve received from people about it. You can click the image to read the interview.(The print magazine’s title has a less “Let’s punch Earl in the face” vibe to it than the online version’s.)
So far in 2022, I’ve read 182 books. The breakdown is: 4- Adult novels 1- Adult non-fiction 10- Graphic novels 26- Middle Grade novels (Goal: 52) 139- Picture Books and Board Books 2- Young Adult novels
of which 55- Nonfiction Picture Books (Goal: 104) 15- Audio Books
I’ve moved over to The StoryGraph to avoid the Amazon-owned Goodreads. It’s still a learning curve and it doesn’t have some of the convenience Goodreads offers but, at least, I’ve been reviewing again. I wish they included the covers.
I’ve moved over to The StoryGraph to avoid the Amazon-owned Goodreads. It’s still a learning curve and it doesn’t have some of the convenience Goodreads offers but, at least, I’ve been reviewing again. I’m trying this new format this week which saves me a bit of time but I wish they included the covers. Not only that but I’m using my phone to post this to get it up today so pardon any other weird formatting issues!
Thanks to Unleashing Readers and Teach Mentor Texts for this meme!
The biggest highlight for me in February was getting to go on a Library Hop– crossing off two more FVRL libraries on my list part of my 22 For 2022 goals and 22 Places To Visit In
2022. Four more to go!
I also decided to doodle some of the things I saw during the Portland Winter Light Festival.
Lots of reading done therefore making progress with my Reading Challenges.
I’m actually trying or read less in March- and focusing on books I have to read for a reading committee I’m part of- so I can make progress on other goals.
So far in 2022, I’ve read 144 books. The breakdown is: 1- Adult novels 1- Adult non-fiction 6- Graphic novels 21- Middle Grade novels (Goal: 52) 113- Picture Books and Board Books 2- Young Adult novels
of which 43- Nonfiction Picture Books (Goal: 104) 10- Audio Books
What were some of your February highlights?
And now for the book reviews…
I’ve moved over to The StoryGraph to avoid the Amazon-owned Goodreads. It’s still a learning curve and it doesn’t have some of the convenience Goodreads offers but, at least, I’ve been reviewing again. I’m trying this new format this week which saves me a bit of time but I wish they included the covers.
Thanks to Unleashing Readers and Teach Mentor Texts for this meme!
I’ve moved over to The StoryGraph to avoid the Amazon-owned Goodreads. It’s still a learning curve and it doesn’t have some of the convenience Goodreads offers but, at least, I’ve been reviewing again. I’m trying this new format this week which saves me a bit of time but I wish they included the covers.
Thanks to Unleashing Readers and Teach Mentor Texts for this meme!
First of all, I was able to go on a library hop so this book lover is absolutely thrilled. You can read about it here.
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I’ve moved over to The StoryGraph to avoid the Amazon-owned Goodreads. It’s still a learning curve and it doesn’t have some of the convenience Goodreads offers but, at least, I’ve been reviewing again. I’m trying this new format this week which saves me a bit of time but I wish they included the covers. I wish the covers were showing and I can differentiate between a kid’s book and one for adults and the different genres and formats.
I’ve moved over to The StoryGraph to avoid the Amazon-owned Goodreads. It’s still a learning curve and it doesn’t have some of the convenience Goodreads offers but, at least, I’ve been reviewing again. I’m trying this new format this week which saves me a bit of time but I wish they included the covers. Not only that but I’m using my phone to post this to get it up today so pardon any other weird formatting issues!
You can view all my reviews over on The StoryGraph.
Thanks to Unleashing Readers and Teach Mentor Texts for this meme!
Here are some pages from my Bullet Journal to recap my month.
22 Places to Visit in 2022- I love that I got to have my “Bridge Adventures” and I was able to visit 2 new (to me) bookstores which you can read about here.
The next pictures are from my various Reading Challenges which I’m excited to continue.
Some January accomplishments were:
-completing StoryStorm- Thanks to Tara Lazar and all her guests for another fantastic month!
-starting some of my trackers which I’ve modified for February
-completing 10 volunteer hours so far
I decided not to renew my SCBWI membership (nor join the 12X12 Challenge which I was considering as an alternative) but focusing on a different approach to writing this year.
I finally got around to watching the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation’s Tell Me Another Storydocumentary. It’s a wonderful half-hour showcasing the importance of diversity in children’s literature. I recommend everyone who participates in #IMWAYR watch it.
Thanks to Unleashing Readers and Teach Mentor Texts for this meme!
Naturally, last week was Youth Media Awards. Who else woke up early to watch the livestream? I was excited for the winners and made sure I had my library account(s) open so I can put hold on the ones I wanted. I cheered when Grace Lin was the Children’s Literature Legacy Award recipient because not only did she deserve it but she’s my Author of the Year. I was glad Watercress won multiple awards since I have an ongoing Caldecott Reading Challenge and I’d read the book last year.
(Originally read/reviewed March 30, 2021)
A bittersweet story about family, the immigrant experience, wanting to fit in, and honoring the past. I love that there are these slice of life stories and I hope they find their audience.
I’ve moved over to The StoryGraph to avoid the Amazon-owned Goodreads. It’s still a learning curve and it doesn’t have some of the convenience Goodreads offers but, at least, I’ve been reviewing again. I’m trying this new format this week which saves me a bit of time but I wish they included the covers.
The Chronicles Of A Children's Book Writer - Earl Dizon 
