Texas Dance Halls are facing extinction as more and more of them are closing due to “decay and disuse” says Patrick Sparks, president of Texas Dance Hall Preservation, Inc. The best way to save our dance halls is to “Dance in them” Patrick says. But some Texans are doing more–and you can too. Read/hear about it in this January 4th NPR report by John Burnett:

Saving Texas Dance Halls, One Two-Step At A Time

If the link to NPR doesn’t work go here: www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=122009049

If you haven’t made your 2o10 resolution yet, now is the time: come on y’all help save our dance halls–fight for your right to two-step! Dance on!

My new picture book, Dance, Y’all, Dance is on its way! It’s official launch date–Birthday–is November 1st, 2009 at the Texas Book Festival in Austin, TX. All sort of events are planned including Book Signing, School Visits, and Story Times. I hope you’ll come out to see me and to help welcome Dance into the world!

Dance, Y’all, Dance Kick-off Schedule:

Oct. 24, 1:30-3:30: Book Signing at Katy Budget Books in Katy

Oct. 27: Visiting schools in the Sugarland:
Cornerstone Elementary, Brazos Bend Elementary, Walker Station Elementary

Oct. 28, 10:00 am: SCBWI-BV Schmooze, Society of Children’s Writers and Illustrators, Barnes and Noble, College Station, TX

Oct. 31-Nov. 1: Texas Book Festival, Austin, Texas

Happy Birthday Dance, Y’all, Dance!

Nov. 1, 11:00-1:00: Book Signing at Texas Book Festival, Writer’s League Booth

Nov. 2, 7:00-9:00 pm: SCBWI-Houston Meeting, Society of Children’s Writers and Illustrators, Tracy Gee Community Center, Houston

Workshop: “Picture Books -It’s What You Don’t See That Counts“

Nov. 3:

Hastings Elementary School in Duncanville, Texas

Nov.  5, 10:00-11:00:Children’s Story time at Blue Willow Books, Houston

Nov. 5, 1:00 pm: Visit Calvary Episcopal School

Nov.; 6: 8:00-1:00 pm: Visit the Kinkaid School

Nov. 7: Sam Houston Book Festival, Huntsville, Texas

Workshop: “Picture Books are Like Icebergs: Harvesting Crystals“

Nov. 9, 5:00-9:00 pm: Family Book Night at the Kincaid School

Dance, Y’all, Dance Postcards, Bookmarks, Activity Sheets and Teacher’s Guides are available! If you’d like to have any of these materials, visit the “contact me” link on my website and send me your mailing information.

Come on! Dance y’all! Whoop it up! I sure am!

“Some one gave me a wonderful present… ” I felt like singing when I opened my e-mail Saturday morning. The Galley’s for Dance Y’all Dance, my soon to be released picture book from Bright Sky Press had arrived. It is a lively, two-steppin’, swingin’ and twirlin’ dance hall romp. Illustrator Terri Murphy created lively art with fun characters, every page dances. She did a wonderful job of bring the story to life. Dance Y’all, Dance will be released this fall. Here is a peek at the cover.