News and Notes: December 2025
A Few Favorite Things
As part of our annual holiday baking extravaganza, we made two batches of toffee from our favorite recipe ever!
Downtown Shreveport’s Artspace gallery transformed itself into a spectacular wonderland for its holiday exhibit, “A Joyceful Christmas.” We hung out with the Glitter Kittens and the Rocket Pups, and even got to meet hometown hero/author William Joyce!
On My Bookshelf
Here are a few of the winter/holiday books we enjoyed this month:
Looking Back
Lydia Lukidis and I compiled an electricity-themed book list for STEM Tuesday.
I was a guest on Episode 506 on What Should I Read Next?. This has long been one of my favorite podcasts, and I loved getting to talk to Anne about my 2026 “Alphabooks” Reading Challenge. I came away with dozens of book recommendations! I promise to post my final choices here and on Instagram, so be sure to follow along.
I got to check two experiences off my “musical bucket list” in December: first, I played the score in a live-concert showing of Elf; then, I got to share the stage with Leslie Odom, Jr, as part of his holiday tour.
Looking Forward
If you’re local to the Shreveport-Bossier area, mark your calendar for Wednesday, February 18, from 5:30-7 pm. I will be leading a free writing workshop at the Highland Art House as part of the Noel Community Arts Program’s Create for Calm series.
2026 will be the year my debut picture book launches, and I am excited to have joined the STEAM Team, a group of creators that collaborates on promotion of STEAM-themed books.
Speaking of book promo: Barnes & Noble’s annual preorder sale is going on, now through January 1. While my book isn’t listed (yet!), consider supporting another creator instead. Here are just a few of the 2026 releases that I’m pumped about:
Start Your Engines by Katy Duffield and Chiara Galletti: perfect for the vehicle-loving kid in your life
Chopsticks Are by Chloe Ito Ward and Lynn Scurfield: a lovely (and delicious!) culinary tour of the world
Once Upon a Tail by Audrey Perrott and Charlene Chua: an adorable new graphic novel for early readers
In This Classroom by Andrew Hackett and Arthur Lin: a beautiful manifesto for any classroom!
Sacred Curiosity: Wondering Our Way Toward Wholeness by Britney Winn Lee: an exploration of curiosity as a spiritual practice (for grown-ups)