Debbie Dadey, Children's Author - Debbie Talks to Kids

Thursday December 28, 2006

Brrrrrrr! Have you ever been in a blizzard? I live in Colorado and we had one just before Christmas. 24 inches of snow blasted us. It came down so fast and furious, it was almost a total white-out, which means you could barely see anything but snow. It was blowing sideways and felt like needles in your skin. When it was all over, my whole neighborhood looked like it was sprinkled with fairy dust. Everything was a dazzling white. Unfortunately, the drifts were so high that it took hours of shoveling and snow-blowing to even get a path for our dogs to go outside to potty! Many people still cannot drive on their streets because the snow is so deep in the roads and the snowplows haven't gotten to their streets yet. The crazy news is that we may get another foot of snow tonight! We may be snowed in for the New Year.

Thanks for your notes. Laveen, you are phantasmagorical yourself! David, did you know my younger brother's name is David? Elmedina, what a cool name you have. David, everytime I think about The Bride of Frankenstein Doesn't Bake Cookies I get very hungry. I may go eat the gingerbread house that we made. Elizabeth, you sound like an amazing reader. Ten books over Christmas break! That sounds like a record. Any other voracious readers out there? Ash and Brenton, I have to tell you that Scholastic holds the copyright for the series title The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids. Marcia Jones and I hold the copyrights for the individual titles. You can have great fun writing as many Bailey books as you want, however if you try to sell them you would be in trouble with Scholastic. Brenton, you suggested some great titles! Rick, check with your local librarian and ask he/she to get more of my books. That's the cool thing about libraries, the books are free! Samantha, I'm so glad you like the Barkley School for Dogs books. You can write to me in care of Scholastic, Inc. 557 Broadway New York, New York 10012-3999. For anyone doing author or book reports, you can find out more info about me under FAQ in the events section of this site. I am in the process of adding to that, so if there's additional information you want added, let me know.

I hope your 2007 is filled with many blessings. May every hope, dream, and wish come true. Here's a quote about not giving up from basketball legend Michael Jordan that is inspirational to me and maybe it will be for you:

"I never look at the consequences of missing a big shot . . . when you think about the consequences you always think of a negative result. I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games, 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."

Thanks Michael. Happy 2007, Debbie

Tuesday December 19, 2006

Are you counting down the days until Christmas? My kids tell me it's 6 if you don't count today. I feel very blessed this year and thank you all so much for writing me and reading my books. Merry Christmas and if you're Jewish, Happy Hannukah. I don't know very much about Jewish customs, so maybe you can teach me.

Logan, I'm glad you liked Beware of The Blabbermouth, a Ghostville Elementary book. Who knows maybe you DO have ghosts at your school!

Ricky and Kameryn, check out the About Me section of my website under events. That might help your reports, but I'm also adding a fast facts page using your suggestons. Thanks!

Deb, I like your name! Yes, we are finishing up a new Bailey School Kids Junior book right now. When we first wrote Vampires Don't Wear Polka Dots, Mrs. Jeepers really did turn into a vampire monster right in front of Eddie. That's why he came back as white as a ghost from the hallway. Our editor wanted us to take out the really scary part though. Do you think it would have been too scary?

Hey Brent, glad you like my books and hope Santa brings you and Brenton some more. Brenton, good luck with your writing. You certainly have a head start on me. I didn't begin writing a lot until I was about 27 years old!

Matthew, I am truly honored to be able to dedicate a book to your grandpa, James Frank. He was one of those really awesome people who truly was larger than life. He spread joy! I remember just listening to his funny stories around the dinner table when we'd come to visit. I didn't know him as well as you, but he will always have a special place in my heart. What a lucky boy you were to have him as your grandpa! I hope it works out that I can visit your school.

As for me, I need to go get dressed. (I'm still in my PJs as I write this! Don't I have a cool job that I can work in my PJs?) I hope to get my picture taken with one of Santa's reindeer's today. If it works out, I'll post it soon! Take care of yourselves and be kind! Debbie

Monday December 11, 2006

Guess what? My hair finally got long enought to donate to Locks for Love. I got it all cut off! I hope to have a picture soon for you to see in my photo album, but it feels a little bit naked! The great thing about hair is that it will grow back.

I hope you're having a great time this month. Can you believe it's only a few weeks away from Christmas? I don't know about you, but we're pretty excited about it around my house. There's been a lot of secret present wrapping and tucking away of packages. My two youngest kids want I-pods for Christmas. Are you hoping for a special gift?

Speaking of Christmas, thanks for all your guesses as to how many Christmas trees I have in my house. I had to go around and count them. Are you ready, Anna, Brenton, Jessica, Molly, Matthew, and Karin? I have 2 large trees (one in my dining room and one between my family room and my office). I also have 21 middle-sized trees and 29 tiny trees! So, did anyone do the math yet? That's a grand total of 51 trees. I must be a little nuts! So, Anna you guessed the closest so I will dedicate Wizards Do Roast Turkeys to Anna. (Shhhh, that comes out next Thanksgiving) Thanks for guessing.

Hi to Elizabeth and Josefine! Josefine, I'm so glad you like the new Bailey School Kids Junior series. Bailey, I love your name! Did you know my grandmother's last name was Bailey? Bailey, I have met other authors and you can send me books to authograph in care of Scholastic 557 Broadway New York, New York 10012-3999. One way to make it easier is to simply send a book plate.

Makenzie, how cool to be able to read in French. I have to admit, my French is not that great and I sometimes have to have help reading fan letters written to me in French. Luckily, my neighbor is from France.

Aima and Brenton, it would be totally awesome to visit your schools and meet you guys. But I have to have an adult invite me. If your teachers or a parent group are interested, have them check out the event and scheduling part of my website.

Take care of yourselves and be happy, Debbie

Monday December 4, 2006

Welcome to the frosty world of December! It snowed seven inches here in Colorado just recently and it's been sooooo cold. Today's it's supposed to warm up a bit.

I've been putting up Christmas decorations. Can you guess how many trees I put up in my house? If you guess, I'll put your name in an upcoming book. I do love Christmas!

Even though it's getting closer to Christmas, I'm rewriting a Thanksgiving book for next year. Isn't that strange? It takes quite a while to make a book, so I have to start early. Have you checked out my newest books? A Very Haunted Holiday is a Ghostville Elementary book and Reindeer DO Wear Striped Underwear is the second in the Bailey School Kids Junior Chapter book series. If you like reindeers, you might like to try the craft in the teacher section.

Brenton, thanks for the cool idea about the scratch game. I like the idea of having one minute to find Mrs. Jeepers. I'll ask Fred, my awesomel webmaster friend, about it.

Molly S, congrats on the essay contests. Wow! You sound like a fantastic writer. Maybe I should have an essay contest sometime.

Alex, did you know I have a son named Alex? He likes video games too.

Brad, I do love to write. In fact, I just dreamed up three totally silly stories that I just can't wait to write. My dogs are doing just fine. In fact, you can see their pictures on the event section of my site. Click on events, then about us, then Debbie. Scroll down to see my cute dogs.

I have three parties and one doctor's appointment this week. I think the parties will be a lot more fun than the doctor's appointment! Best wishes for lots of fun this week, Debbie

Sunday November 26, 2006

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. I'm afraid I ate a bit too much pumpkin pie, but my daughter Becky made it and I didn't want to hurt her feelings. Besides, it was delicious! When I was younger I didn't like pumpkin pie, but now I like it a lot. My taste buds have changed as I've gotten older.

Did you go Christmas shopping over the holidays? I did with my two oldest kids. They got me up at 4:30 to go! Isn't that crazy? It was kind of fun, but I didn't like the crowds.

I do like decorating my house for Christmas. I like to do a little at a time. Today, I put out my nativity scene. My younger brother made it for me when he was in the army. It's blue ceramic and very delicate looking. It was a wonderful present many years ago and I still enjoy it. Thanks David! Do you have a favorite present? Let me know.

Chrishonda, did you know I played basketball in junior high in Kentucky? I still have a basketball goal in front of my house and can shoot a mean free throw. Of course, in Kentucky almost everyone loves basketball because of the University of Kentucky Wildcats. Go Cats!

Jack, I will tell you a secret. I am terrified of roller coasters. They scare me to death! Even little bitty ones make me nervous. My husband loves them, so I'm glad my oldest children like to go on them with him. My youngest son and I go on the less scary rides at the amusement parks.

How do you like my picture over at the side? How do I look dressed up as Mrs. Jeepers? Thanks to Sarah the cool graphic designer who did it!

Happy December! Debbie

This site uses javascript for dropdown links you see below. You should enable javascript in your browser for a much better user experience.

Debbie Talks to Kids Kids Talk to Debbie Bridgett's Blog