Travels - Karen Cushman

Favorite museums, part one

August 31, 2021February 16, 2016 by Karen Cushman

In that same interview that asked me about favorite fantasy novels, I was also asked to share my favorite museums. I chose ten of them. Here’s the first, although these aren’t in any set order.

The Story Museum, Oxford: A museum with exhibitions, activities, and programs dedicated to stories and storytelling. I am actually cheating here. I’ve never been but after following them on Facebook, I long to go.

For instance, here’s an article about this wonderful exhibit “Animal: a safari through stories” currently featured at the Story Museum. “It’s time we gave wolves their bite back, says author Geraldine McCaughrean, and a new exhibition does just that. Bring your axe, Little Red Riding Hood…”

NCTE in Boston, Day Two

August 31, 2021November 30, 2013 by Karen Cushman

I signed books at the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) booth, including one for the students at Millard Fillmore School. You can see Millard himself hanging out behind us.

Afterwards I celebrated with my panel folks: Kirby Larson and Barbara O’Connor and (pictured, left) our panel moderators, Miriam Martinez of UT San Antonio, and Nancy Roser of UT Austin. Miriam and Nancy did an amazing job of turning our vague mutterings about “place” and “world building” from a couple of years ago into Thursday’s multi-media panel. Thank you.

Then followed a dinner given by HMH with a number of teachers, writers, and professors. At right are Dinah Stevenson, who has been my beloved editor for 20 years, and David Wiesner, the picture book king. We were at dinner for 5 (!) hours and enjoyed every minute.

NCTE in Boston, Day One

August 31, 2021November 26, 2013 by Karen Cushman

Our panel, “Constructing and Inhabiting Story Worlds,” drew a room full of fabulous, interested teachers.

Barbara O’Connor spoke after me, and she was, as always, splendid.

And so was Kirby Larson, who gave us a taste of her brand new book, Duke.

Southern Oregon

August 31, 2021July 2, 2013 by Karen Cushman

We just returned from visiting my brother and his wife who live near Ashland, Oregon. They drove us to see magnificent vineyards ringed by mountains.

And we went to the animal shelter where he volunteers (a lot) to see the dogs waiting and waiting for someone to take them home.

If you can have a dog, please consider adopting one from a shelter. They need us and are so grateful.

This is how my lovely brother closes every email:

“It came to me that every time I lose a dog; they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog that comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and maybe I will become as generous and loving as they are.”

—Unknown

I’m no Ansel Adams

August 31, 2021May 23, 2013 by Karen Cushman

Here’s a crummy picture of an amazing group of writers at the Oregon SCBWI conference in Portland last weekend. All 201 of them were full of questions, ideas, and enthusiasm, and they welcomed me most warmly. I hope their passion is contagious as I once again dig into the draft of my new book.

What’s Gnu?

September 1, 2021April 24, 2013 by Karen Cushman

Philip and I were just in Minnesota where I spoke at the Spotlight on Books Conference. Here’s a view out our window of April in northern Minnesota. The conference was fun and the snow was lovely.

Afterwards we were driven to Minneapolis where the splendid Margi Preus (Heart of a Samurai and Shadow on the Mountain) invited us to sit at her table with Steve and Vicki Palmquist of the Children’s Literature Network for the Minnesota Book Awards gala. Here we are, looking a little weary after a loooong day but having a great time.