Events

The Book Launch

On February 8, 2026, at the Wellspring Center with bright sun on snow outside the windows we gathered to celebrate the release of Sing Up the Earth!

The set up for this joyful event included a “my favorite picture book” reading nook, a clay art craft table featuring the making of clay ocarinas, a café area for light refreshments, and a book signing table.

When it was time for the story reading/performance, we reflected together on the children’s books we still remember and the mystery and meaning of story in our lives.

I spoke with old friends and new ones and went home that night filled with gratitude for all the people who had helped in loving and skillful ways to bring this book to fulfillment.

School Visits and Book Tour

Spring 2026
When I first started imagining and preparing for school visits, I wondered about the role that a couple of simple musical instruments could play in each story performance of Sing Up the Earth!

Using a beautiful drum made for children, and the clay turtle-shaped ocarina I have used in story telling performances for many years, I launched out into my first school visits.

3/12 Nature Forward’s Nature Preschool, Chevy Chase, Maryland

3/18-3/19 Virtual author visits with two elementary schools in Illinois and Florida

April 20-24, Book tour in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Five schools with library and classroom story programs for children ranging from preschool to fourth grade, and two auditorium performances with children, teens, and adults together at New City Kids.

5/18 St. Elizabeth Catholic School, Rockville, Maryland

I discovered that the rhythm of the drum and the haunting sound of the handmade clay ocarina prepared the way for a deep receptive listening to the story. This proved to be true for preschool children as well as students up to nine and ten years old. Even teens and adults in auditorium performances seemed to enjoy this musical way of introducing and framing the story.