Lively Linda!

Linda Bailey was a key member of our Phoenix symposium, and she is the clever, funny author of picture books, novels and nonfiction, all of which have enormous "kid-appeal." These days, she is probably best known for her Stanley books, the stories about the goofy canine named Stanley, who has a series of funfilled adventures with his doggy pals. The photo here shows Linda with her golden retriever, Sophie, the real-life dog who was the inspiration for Stanley.

Linda and I have been friends for a long time, and I have had the great privilege of having had a ringside seat to her active imagination and creative process, as she worked through her many books. In addition, she was the one, so many years ago, who first urged me to send a manuscript to a publisher. I might never have been brave enough to do that without her encouragement. Thank you, Linda! :-)

Linda's most recent Stanley book, Stanley's Beauty Contest, is newly on the bookstore shelves. I urge you to seek it out. And, if you'd like to find out more about Linda and her charming books, please check her website here.

Cheers!