The Right Audience

Today I read the Littles (she's 5, he's 8) my newest picture book manuscript. Right under 1,000 words, it's just short enough for a quick read aloud. Of course, I have no awesome illustrations to keep their interest, so I have to really play up my reading skills.

They squeal, they laugh, they nudge each other at all the right places.

My inner monologue, the one that was snickering at me last night while I narrowed down possible publishers to query, whispered, "That's right, you're a read aloud story creating rock star! Get it, girl!" It was nice to have my persnickety monologue being polite, for a change.

Of course, the story is inspired by our youngest's larger than life attitude, and they know it. So -- hardly an unbiased crowd!

Still, there's something magical about sharing a story with children -- something you've crafted on your own from beginning to end -- that makes them clap their hands over their mouths and laugh until they fall over.

Our little man immediately piped up with, "I'm going to be the illustrator of this book!"
And the sassy Diva herself pointed at me and quipped, "That book is not about me, it's about you!"

I wrapped that small moment around me like my favorite warm fuzzy blanket on a chilly night, and carried it with me the rest of the day.

And it was a very good day, indeed.