Spring Travels

Hamilton, Ohio has my heart.

Jun 14, 2026

Bas relief by Robert McCloskey, aged 19, for Heritage Hall, Hamilton, Ohio.

Last month, I was lucky enough to Hamilton, Ohio, the birthplace of Robert McCloskey. It was a quick trip that felt so special that I want to keep it all to myself— but I can’t, because any McCloskey fan should know a trip to Hamilton is worth the visit.

I was there to give a talk at Pyramid Hill, a sculpture park and temporary home to the McCloskey Wonder Works Museum, as part of their exhibit “Robert McCloskey: Season of Wonder.” The exhibit, part of Butler County’s America 250 celebration and on view through July 23rd, features illustrations from McCloskey’s Caldecott-winning Time of Wonder, on loan from from the May Massee Collection at Emporia State University. The exhibit also features other watercolors and landscapes by McCloskey, as well as maquettes of sculptures (inspired by McCloskey’s books) by artist Nancy Schön.

Maquette and sculpture, "Lentil and His Dog" by Nancy Schön

And what a thrill to see Claire Keane ’s opening image from our book Make Way, blown up on the gallery wall:

Gallery wall featuring art from *Make Way* by Claire Keane.

But really, the most amazing part was the afternoon leading up to the event - Hamilton locals Carrie, Janet, and Mindy took me on a tour that brought McCloskey’s hometown to life. I got to see Heritage Hall, a gorgeous Art Deco building with exterior bas relief carvings that McCloskey created when he was just 19 years old:

They also took me to InsideOut Studio, an art space for creators with developmental disabilities. We got to chat with many of the artists as they worked on paintings and beautiful fused glass and mosaic pieces. The front of the building is a retail space that sells the artists’ work and they take commissions as well!

Then, it was on to the local YMCA, where McCloskey taught soap carving lessons as a teen, and now home to the totem pole he carved for Camp Campbell Gard:

And we also stopped at the Butler County Historical Society, where I had the opportunity to look at some items from the archives, including a booklet of engravings that McCloskey carved while he was only 17 years old:

There is so much more I could say, but there are also stories I want to keep for myself. It meant so much, to visit a place and to touch objects I had researched and studied and puzzled over. It meant so much to have others share stories of what McCloskey and his art means to them. Thank you, thank you for inviting me to experience Hamilton and appreciate Robert McCloskey through new eyes. I only wish I could have stayed longer and kept the conversation going.

View from my hotel window, print created at a recent workshop.

And a quick shoutout to Mike, an excellent airport shuttle driver and the person who introduced me to a Cincinnati-area speciality, Skyline Chili. It was delicious.

Small Pleasures

Over the past couple months, I . . .

Read: the middle-grade novel The Moon Without Stars by Chanel Miller. It felt like a modern classic to my Gen X, Judy Blume-loving heart.

Watched: I finally watched Hamnet on my flight back from Cincinnati. This is not a plane movie. Why did I watch this on a plane?! But it is beautiful and I sobbed through a good portion of it.

Listened to: My daughter and I were so excited to catch The Beths live (for the second time!) on their North American tour.

Ate: An amazing sandwich (porchetta, arugula, and burrata on focaccia) at Rogue Rabbit in Burlington, Vermont

Made/Enjoyed: This Picnic in Provence candle by Quiñohome that I picked up at a local plant and craft pop-up.

Book News: Reviews Are In!

Snow Geese Season, my next book with E. B. Goodale, will be out on September 29th. Trade reviews are starting to come in, and the first two are below:

★ “A poignant, masterfully rendered testament to what endures.” — Kirkus, starred review

★“Seasonal and generational rhythms offer a feeling of steadiness to the child in this pensive story.” —Publisher’s Weekly, starred review

I’m so incredibly proud of this book, and I hope young readers will love it, too. You can pre-order with any major retailer, but if you’d like a signed copy, please pre-order from The Vermont Bookshop at the button below. In the comments at checkout, just note if you’d like it signed and/or personalized in any way, and they’ll let me know!

Pre-Order

Upcoming Events

School Library Journal’s Picture Book Palooza on July 23rd (virtual) from 10:45 – 11:35 AM ET. I’ll be part of a panel discussion on “Big Feelings,” featuring picture books where characters navigate emotional ups and downs—and change. Panelists include Tiffany Hammond, Kyle Lukoff, Christy Mandin, and Lisa Frenkel Riddiough, with moderator Jessica Ralli of the Brooklyn Public Library.
Storytime at The Silver Unicorn Bookstore, in Acton, MA on Saturday, October 3rd at 11:00. Join illustrator E. B. Goodale and I to celebrate the release of Snow Geese Season.
Storytime at Inklings Children’s Books in Waitsfield, VT on Saturday, November 21st at 11:00.