Hello BookFriends,
Today I’m thinking of ideas for those of you at home with kids. And the first thing that 
comes to mind is puzzles, puzzles, puzzles! We have jigsaw puzzles for all age groups. The whole family can do this together. Or not. My family loves to do puzzles when we’re all together for the holidays. I’m not very good at it but I love watching them. I remind myself it takes practice to get good at anything.
Also, what about art supplies? A friend just told me she’s doing a small watercolor a day. I felt an immediate urge to do the same. Not that I have any training. The last time I studied watercolor was when I was fifteen and took a weekly class with my friend in “fashion illustration.” What I remember most about that class was how we were told to draw the model’s feet. Still, I could try. I think it would be creatively satisfying. And I know where to go for my supplies. Hello, to our Art Supply Buyer- Emily!
The kids would probably like a set of thin markers with a sketch book. And there’s a terrific paperback by Lynda Barry(one of my favorite comic writer/illustrators) on creating your own comics. I know one teenager I’m getting Making Comics for. 
And that brings me to another idea –maybe the kids would be open to keeping a diary or journal of this strange time in their lives. They could Illustrate, too, of course. This could be just for them. They don’t have to share unless they want to. We have some pretty great blank books that would make a cool gift. Not that they can’t do this with whatever supplies they have around the house, but, you know —
I just read an absolutely enchanting novella by Lee Smith. Lee is one of my favorite writers so I was intrigued when she told me it’s set in Key West, in the 50s, during the time that Operation Petticoat was filming here. The cast and crew were housed at the Blue Marlin Motel (yes, the one on Simonton Street) and in this gem of a story, so are 13 year old Jenny and her parents, who are trying to patch up their marriage. Great characters (never mind Tony Curtis and Cary Grant) perfect pitch, generous humor. The next time someone asks, Don’t you have a novel set in Key West? I’ll smile and hand them Blue Marlin. Pre-order now for delivery when it comes out in two weeks (4/21), just when you’ll really need it. Once we can all get out and about again, I know Lee will come to Books & Books KW and share her stories of spending time here when she was Jenny’s age.
Stay well.
Love,
