Dear Readers,

Happy 2020! What a nice-sounding year! I have a good feeling about this one :)

We had, like so many people, an extra crazy December, that included a trip to Florida for my school visits. We went to Disney and Universal too which was so fun. I especially adored Harry Potter land. The world-building details are amazing!

However, at the end of the trip Ori got sick, so the last bit of December was a little stressful as it was a bad one. All he wanted were Mama-snuggles, and it was not only exhausting but also broke my heart that I couldn't instantly make him feel better.

So, here's to good health in 2020!

I must admit, I'm a little scared of all the change that is coming this new year, too. I've never been particularly good with change.

This is why you might notice lots of my characters in my books like things "just so". (Especially Dr. Pegs, from my picture book, The Doll Hospital. )

This year brings lots: officially moving into our house, and moving from Vancouver to the Sunshine Coast.

This means that my husband is going to have a much longer commute into work, and that Ori and I are going to have to settle into a new routine, including a new daycare, and new activities and teachers. Sometimes--as much as I am thrilled with our house--I almost wish we could just stay in Vancouver. But our place is becoming smaller as Ori grows bigger, and I do love the idea of having big gardens to grow my own food, and a library for my books. Plus I think I may have mentioned this one before, but one day I want to host a full writer's week of workshops with editors and agents etc from around the world. The amazing illustrator, Sophie Blackwall, is doing something like this too--though on a grander scale. Her project is called Milkwood. It's a gorgeous farm that she's making into a Children's Writers and Illustrators retreat. It's not up and going yet, but you can find out about it more here.

Actually, I'm not a huge fan of resolutions for the New Year, but I am a fan of "goals". I always make a list at the back of my current writing book. They almost seem a bit like wishes, but the kind of wishes that you have a bit more power over to make come true.

Always, my biggest one is to write the very best stories I can. Here's hoping!

xx

Kallie