I'm back from Peru and my head is full of mummies. I'm looking at a photo of one right now, wrapped in soft llama wool and surrounded by bowls of food. She has some secrets, too, under her llama wool wrap, which you can read about in the book. Before I can start writing it, I have to transcribe the tapes I recorded while in Peru (Transcribing means listening to the tapes and writing down every word that is on them. I do this long-hand - not on the computer, as that way I remember everything much better.)Then I will have the tapes that are in Spanish transcribed. I am hoping to start writing early in 2009. I'll let you know!

In the meantime, I have been trotting around New York to book signings - Barnes & Noble for STEEL DRUMMING AT THE APOLLO, with three boys from the band - Aaron, Ahmel, and Dha'sean(this was a Project Cicero event - check out www.projectcicero.org)and then on to the Hue-Man bookstore in Harlem with the boys, who wowed the audience with their Steel Drum playing. The whole band came back to the Apollo Theater in New York City the next week for a special performance on Amateur Night and where we all signed books (myself, the photographer, and all the boys). In November I gave a talk to aspiring children's book authors at The New School, and I will be talking about ELEPHANTS AND GOLDEN THRONES, INSIDE CHINA'S FORBIDDEN CITY this week at The Little Red School House as part of their Book Week. I can't wait, because you always surprise me with your questions, your energy, and your enthusiasm and your really great ideas.

Labels: HE