| PROFILE | BOOKS | PROGRAMS | LINKS |
Riki Lipe
I could write and paint a story?
A fairy-tale account of living on my grandmother's farm in the forties.
It took a while and many drafts between my editor Reta Spears-Stewart and me to publish my first book. Used the unusual names from my family – Lavinia, Lola Ricena (me), Marsija, Ceny, and Vinka. A story introducing MY future to HER past. THE SECRET OF RICENA'S POND was to be my first and only book. Since that first book there have been five more published. Having too much fun to stop now!
My husband, Dean, has given me the freedom, encouragement, and love to pursue my interest in oil painting and writing. We have a grown son, Steve. He has two children. Our granddaughter is the inspiration for my POND BOOKS. Our grandson Spencer is the inspiration for the book HANGING WITH YUM-YUM AND YUCK. A fun, colorful story to celebrate value and accept our differences.
I visit schools to promote creativity. Most importantly I encourage children to READ for the adventures and the successes reading will bring to their lives. And to never forget – when they are being creative "IT" is coming from their head, their heart, and their hands, and NOBODY else in the world can do what they can. I bring some oil paintings I call STORY STARTERS.
 HANGING WITH YUM-YUM AND YUCK
Ages 4-10. A story to celebrate, value and ACCEPT our differences. When a newcomer drops in during a crayon-colored backyard birthday party, Grey squirrel discovers he is loved for who he is. There are surprises on every page. One tiny pink critter appears, disappears, and reappears. Read, watch closely, and enjoy! Available from the author. |
THE MYSTERY AT RICENA'S POND
Ages 4-12. My newest book is set in the same delightful garden as the first of the "Pond" books, THE SECRET OF RICENA'S POND. Something or someone is gunking up the pond where the fairies live. One little girl with the aid of friends, the water fairy and Lola the Swan, solve the mystery. They learn that "a lot of little bits can become a lot of litter bits." Available from the author. |
THE SECRET OF RICENA'S POND
Ages 4-12. My first book. A fairy-tale fantasy adventure, illustrated by my oil paintings. The story is from my imagination as a child, of a delightful pond in an enchanting garden and characters with musical names. Ceny the water fairy and Lola the swan are very close. Ceny goes to Lola when she has a problem––because she knows how important it is to find someone to talk to, who will listen and help. Available from the author. |
SOOTY
Ages 4-12. The colorful little wood cook stove on the cover of SOOTY promises a frolicking read-to story for kids and a nostalgic look back for those of us of earlier times. The colorful oil painting illustrations bring the story of the little stove's purpose, pleasures, and trials to life. Available from the author. |
WONDER WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF
I Were an Author . . . I Were an Artist . . . Ages 8 and up. What child (or adult) has not wondered"what would happen if"? This book not only challenges the creative spirit within every child, it gives some "get-down-and-do-it" ideas for putting their imaginations to work--like demonstrating how to "see with an artist's eye." And to draw what you really see, not what you think you see. Or how to "use the head, heart and hands" to create a story that begs to be written down and read by others. Available from the author. |
For the youngest readers I'll read a story. I also bring a yellow tennis ball with a funny face and name – Bouncer. In thirty minutes we give it an adventure. The children can draw color, then share Bouncer's adventure with others. They are encouraged to find an item in their rooms, give it a funny face and a goofy name, and create their own adventures and stories.
For third grade and older each session lasts for 45 minutes. I can do four sessions a day. We talk about where ideas can come from. Each of my books has a story about the title, plus a story about the story. Talk about being creative. When a young person is being creative "IT" is coming from their head and their heart and their hands. And NOBODY else can create the way they can. That is what makes it so special....We talk about the fun of adjectives. Also it is fun when the children can bring in their story journals. Look at some of my "story starter" paintings, or anything in their classroom, then create their own story and share it with the class.
When I started this writing journey I had no idea school visits would be a part of my life. This is more fun than eating chocolate! I want the young ones to wonder, dream, read, to try and not give up. The question-and-answer sessions are always fun. The young people ask questions and leave me with a hug.
It is supported by
 |
| Springfield/Greene County Libraries and |
Link to or join MISSOURI WRITES FOR KIDS!/Get an Author Web Page
Return to Top
