The Book! (almost)

Yay!!! I'm soooo excited to share this with you! Here it is: The Creative Family: How to Encourage Imagination and Nurture Family Connections. The cover is final and the book is on Amazon available for pre-order right now! (With a release date of March 11th, 2008). Amazon will probably have the description up in the next few days (do you think I could wait that long to tell you about this? Um, no), but until then, here's the deal, straight from the catalog of Trumpeter Books (an imprint of Shambhala):

Between work and school, music lessons, and sports practice, there is less and less time to connect as a family. Those few moments together are often spent making meals, doing homework, or watching TV. In this inspiring book, Amanda Soule, a young mother of three, presents simple ways to use arts and crafts and other forms of creativity to deepen family connections.
For parents of all backgrounds, The Creative Family offers unique creative activities for the whole family. The range of projects includes: imaginative play such as dress up, home theater and parlor games; arts and crafts such as family drawing time and knitting with children; nature explorations such as creating garden journals and making natural toys; and family celebrations that include making music and displaying children's art. These fun and engaging alternatives to television, video games, and the computer are meant to captivate children´s imaginations, celebrate their achievements, and express love and gratitude as a family.

So that's the book! I would add that whether or not you draw or sew or have never even identified yourself as someone 'creative', I do believe that we all have it in us - and finding that and nurturing it can be a wonderful experience for the whole family - child and parent.  My intent in writing the book was to fill it with activities, patterns, projects and ideas on how you can incorporate creativity into the lives of your family - in some small way - every single day. Throughout the book are my full-color photographs as well as beautiful illustrations by Portland, Maine friend and artist Betsy Thompson. The cover photograph is by the dear and talented Jessie Fields. 

Even after looking at this cover photo for a couple of months, it still gives me goosebumps. Could someone pinch me, please? Writing a book was always one of those silent dreams for me, and it rather blows my mind that it's really happening, and how it all happened to begin with. Looking at the cover fills me with immense gratitude for so very much - for the three amazing little people on it; for the bigger one just out of the shot; for the friends who contributed their art, love and support; for the people who made it happen to begin with (that would be you, dear readers...and a very lovely editor); and for those who will spend their precious time reading it. I'm very, very grateful.

And I'm sorry, but I think I'm also rambling...

{Have a lovely week, my friends. I'm going to slip quietly into vacation mode around here - some low-key local beaching and then to the woods we go. I might be on Flickr, but otherwise back here on Monday.}

Comments

[Di]

Congratulations Amanda. The cover of your book is awesome. I just love it and can't wait to get a copy when it's out. You must be thrilled. Enjoy the beach/woods this weekend.

[Arch]

This is lovely...all the best.

[Ness]

Oh Amanda, this absolutely wonderful! The picture is delightful, full of action yet so beautifully and elegantly composed. Well done again about the book, you are so very inspiring.

[erin scissorhands]

amanda- it looks great! you guys look genuinely happy :) i can't wait to hold this book! i'm sure it will be very inspirational, as is everything that you do. take care, i'm off to visit amazon!

[Anna]

I really love the cover, but where is Steve? I hope he has made it in your book too :-)

[kity]

congratulations, amanda!
you have really deserved this...

i´m from portugal and a daily reader, and of course i will buy the book... i can´t wait!

you and your wonderful family are fantastic. congratulations once again!

[Alison]

Congratulations.

You see, when you commit to a life of giving to those you love, the universe rewards you by granting your wildest dreams... that's my theory anyway.

Lots of love and luck on your new life as an author.
Alison

[bockstark knits]

What a great book and *excellent* cover shot! How in the world did the photographer capture _3_ kids in excellent poses? Only thing missing is your husband!!! :)

[jess]

congratulations! It looks fantastic (and i'm sure the inside is just as good :D)

[geek+nerd]

This ROCKS! Congrats!

[martha]

The cover is great! Now I can't wait to see/read the inside. The description is fantastic. I'm so so happy for you Amanda.

[lia]

wow! it looks sweet and great, just like you, guys!
But... only in March???!!!!! ;)
Anyway, i guess i'll be one of your "million readers" all over the world, who also tries hard to conciliate motherhood with life in general and art and self-expression!!! (isn't this crazy??)
Congratulations!!

[Melanie]

This is so very beautiful, Amanda. So very exciting, too. Congratulations :)

[Brynne]

Ooh, congratulations! I can't wait!

[kimba]

Oh wow! congratulations. The cover is just perfect, I love that photo. I'm in Australia and I'll order a copy for sure :)

[bellablue]

Yippee! I'm so excited for you and truly blessed to have been part of it. Not just the cover shoot but the ups and downs of our daily phone calls throughout the process. I, too, can't wait to hold it in my hands, crawl into bed and READ!

[katja]

congratulations for making a dream come true! the book looks great, love the cover, cant waite to see whats inside. Wow!

[betsy]

I'm so happy for you, Amanda. I just love the cover. What a thrill to be part of this project. xoxo

[Stephanie]

Wow, what an accomplishment - congratulations!

[Mama Urchin]

Hooray and congratulations!

[Ellie]

Yahhhh for you + your family!! What a sublimely simple, yet intricately complex cover photo. It shows your love+care for your babes, the softer moments of just being with special people - yet also everyone is wearing clothing that I just KNOW you made, doing little projects that give them inner glows of happiness. Congratulations on a dream realised - after a lot of hard work, dedication, long nights, little sleep. You deserve everything this book brings. I'll be heading over to Amazon...
Thank you for sharing your wisdom + warmth with us.

[Candace]

It's so beautiful - many congratulations! And March of '08 - I can't wait that long, but I guess I'll have to :)

[Claudia Martins]

Congratulations on your inspiring work and wonderful family!

[liz]

it looks wonderful!
congratulations - i'm sure it will be fantastic!
can't wait to see it in person.

[earthchick]

Squeee! It's gorgeous. I love how it turned out - you all look like you're having so much fun (esp. Calvin!).

I'm so excited! - for you and for us.

[jenn]

The cover is just perfect! it is just how I pictured you and your family. I am really excited to purchase this book. Reading your blog has inspired me to do so many things with my children. Your book will be a treasured addition to our library.

[Penny in VT]

Hooray!! A dream made real for you - and a gift to the rest of the world - the only word that fits is HOORAY!!

...and maybe congratulations too (wink)!

Enjoy your vacation time!

[jean]

Amanda, Jessie and Betsy. Finally finally. To hold in one's hands. Sweet indeed. Can't wait to get mine.

[Julie]

What an absolutely beautiful cover... and a beautiful family! I'm so happy that your silent dream has become a reality! You are inspiring and I can't wait to read your creation!

[melody]

That is so cool!!! I don't know if I can wait until March. Enjoy a great week off.

[Béa]

I discovered you blog a few weeks ago but never posted a comment ... here's the occasion. Congratulations on this great event! It seems such a great book, and I like the cover too.
-> and maybe one day it'll be available in France so that I can have the great pleasure to read it :)

[Linda]

March seems so far away. Congratulations, Amanda! Thanks for all your inspiration.

[Becky]

Congrats Amanda! I'm just a lurker normally-but I love your blog and have been a regular for awhile.
I'm so happy for you and think that your book sounds wonderful! Can't wait to read it. Thanks for making a simple, creative life look so beautiful and attainable.

[Max]

I am *so* happy when someone realizes a their dream - especially a secret one! It's like receiving an unexpected gift, or seeing a new star - it brings you in touch with the world's richness. Good for you!

[Karen à Toronto]

i love the cover - this is the Soule Family i "know" from your blog...

congratulations - now March 2008, that 's tooooooo long .

[Courtney]

wow, it's GORGEOUS, and I'm not just tooting your horn. I can't wait, as in I want to pre-order it now so that I'm the first to get it. Your friend took the perfect cover photo...

[Marissa]

Amazing photo-how proud & thrilled you must be! Can't wait to curl up with a cuppa tea & indulge (come March)! Congrats!

[Qalballah]

Oh way to go YOU! You have done so much to inspire people anyway, I can't wait to get my hands on the book. Do you know when it'll be available in the UK? Beautiful cover shot too :)

[Jen]

The cover is awesome. I love the action in it. I can't wait to get this book. Congrats!

[laurie]

amanda!!! of course, that's amazingly wonderful for you. great hard work! well done. i will be able to say i "knew" you when. :) and that i won a handmade tote in one of her blog contests way back when!! hey, maybe She will have a blog contest for a signed copy of her book someday!! (hint hint!)
congrads!!!

[Nelly]

I 'm so excited. Honestly, I feel like it's my dream coming true. Congratulations to you and Steve, because I'm sure he has been a supportive and loving husband. Thank God, Amazon, is posting in Greece.

[ellen]

Congratulations!!! The cover is wonderful....you must be so proud.

[annette]

what a fabulous photo!

[Hope]

Congrats! I can't wait to look at it!

[heather]

the cover is a beauty amanda, as is your full name all spelled out on the front! how wonderful. for all that you have given us and shared of yourself, it is time for you to sit back and enjoy the love in return. what a blessing this will be for you and your family. have a lovely, restful vacation, congratulations.

[Bex]

Oh! How fabulous! I can't wait to own a little bit of 'soule'...

[Stefani]

Fantastic. Congratulations. I simply cannot wait to to peruse the pages :-) Have a wonderful and well deserved vacation!

[homemakerang]

congrats! love the cover and I just know the book will be great!

[Lisa Clarke]

How wonderful! Congratulations!

[Lee-Anne]

Congratulations! You are an inspiration in so many ways. Well done!