From Author Rebecca Grabill
This Joyful Mess
Classic Multicultural Book: Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz
Esperanza Rising is a moving story that opens a world seldom seen with authenticity, and without seeming politically motivated. Real, not a soapbox.
Homeschooling and Hashimoto's Weirdness
I used to hate read-alouds. My neck would get tense, my throat would feel stiff and sore and my voice would hurt. (And if you say a voice cannot hurt, I assure you, it can.) Here's my story of how diagnosing and treating Hashimoto's changed my life in an unexpected way.
14 Board Books Every Family Should Own
Our family loves books. And I mean LOVES books. So below I've compiled a short list of our personal favorites. The books we have read and re-read until the covers fell off, then bought new copies to read again. Some are classics, ones I grew up with. Others are new.
Strangely Delicious Strawberry-Coffee Breakfast Smoothie
It's gluten free, Trim Healthy Mama compliant (or can be), Paleo, and so much more.
Best Monday Ever: SCBWI Scrivener Workshop
Guess who got to geek out on Scrivener? I don't know what it says about my week that leading a workshop in the basement of my local library was the highlight. But it so was. It helps that I love love love Scrivener.
What Have You Lost? Some Poetry!
A fascinating and diverse selection of poems centering on things lost and things found. Everything from family to self to race to culture to the first day of school to death to words to language to innocence...
7 Gifts an MFA Gave Me that Changed My Writing Life
I hid brochures for MFA programs in my bottom desk drawer. Every few months I’d take them out, page through, dream a little… Until finally in 2009 I enrolled in Hamline University’s MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults. The program took two years of concentrated study at home, and for 60 days, spread over five residencies, I lived...
Guess Who Won a Sustainable Arts Foundation Promise Award?
That would be ME! Wow, I’m still in shock. Or still delirious from this flu Kilian was kind enough to share with me.
Picture it, I’m out of bed finally, after my third three-hour-long nap of the day. Sitting in a purple club chair while Penny steps onto her potty and Leaps off. “Look at me, Mama! Mama watch!” Kilian is hanging out with me. In fact, this shot was taken moments before...
5 Things to Love About a Community Fundraising Garage Sale
Every year my parish holds a garage sale to raise funds for the VBS and Preschool programs. It has fast become one of my favorite events and helping at every stage, in my mind anyway, absolves me from taking part in the actual VBS. Anyhow, a sale of this size is a huge undertaking. Like crazy huge involving weeks and many, many, many hours from lots of people. But it's so worth it, and apart from the usual reasons about helping others and serving the community, here's why…
Books for Tweens and Teens: Two Novels in (Supposed) Verse
On my worktable I have two novels. Open each and you’ll see line breaks, ragged margins, the form of poetry. But after reading both I wonder, are they truly in verse? Does the poetic form fit both novels equally well in terms of voice, use of language, and creation of vivid moments? Is the poetic form necessary for both books, and if not, why?
Hi, I’m Rebecca. I write books and I write here at This Joyful Mess to inspire everyone to find JOY in the everyday messes of life. Here you’ll find inspiration, educational resources, and so much more. Please explore and connect. I’d love to hear from you!