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AUNT TIZZY

In the story Myrtle has a wise old Aunt Tizzy. We have a lot of strong and wise women in our family. Below is a picture of my grandmother and my great-grandparents with a visitor on their dock in Florida.

 

Aunt Tizzy brings Myrtle African masks from her travels. I did research on African masks and costumes. Click here to find out more about African masks and how to make your own. .
 

THE ENDING

Myrtle and Frances do not become friends in the end. I do not get into a discussion of why Frances is mean. Myrtle is the star, not Frances. What is important in this book is that Myrtle becomes confident in who she is so that she can go on being Myrtle even when there is a bully next door. Also, the ending leaves an opening for a conversation about bullies. Talking about the problem of bullies is a good first step towards dealing with them.

 

FINAL ARTWORK

My studio wall

The final artwork for Myrtle was done in pencil and watercolor. I have a wall in my studio where I can put up an entire book and look at all of the pages at once. I am not finished until I have checked the art again and again.

 
MUSIC

I always work to music. With this book I was listening to a lot of jazz with female vocals. My daughter gave me a new Sarah Vaughn CD that I played often. I am now working on a new book and listening mostly to Vivaldi.