Sankofa!

I had another amazing school visit on Monday and as I munched on gingerbread men in the librarian’s office afterward, I realized how out of sorts I’ve been as of late. I don’t think it’s still grief—it definitely could be stress—but Christmas is my favorite time of year and I’m usually feeling very festive in December. I spent today grading and the dogs in neighboring apartments were barking and then my other neighbor decided to fry fish…my mood became *really* foul and so I ventured out into the snow. There isn’t much left, of course, but I decided to head to the grocery store so I could buy ingredients for Christmas cookies. I only bake once a year and that always gets me in the Xmas spirit. When I got back home there were two packages crammed into my little mailbox and one turned out to be my issue of Sankofa! I’m very grateful to the editor, Meena Khorana, for including my essay in this issue. We met last fall at the second A Is for Anansi conference at NYU and she immediately expressed interest in my work. Two other editors had rejected this essay on Black Canadian children’s literature, so I’m glad it finally found the right home. Tomorrow my conversation with Ibi Zoboi will be published and I think my Jeunesse essay should be out soon…I wish I felt something other than relief! ‘Tis the season for joy—and gratitude. Let’s see if I can whip some up in the kitchen…