 
Also by Jerry Spinelli:
Eggs [audio CD]
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Newberry Medalist Jerry Spinelli and his wife, Eileen, have fashioned a magnificent volume in their Today I Will . This hefty book of quotes, inspiration, and motivation is a datebook that brings us back to what really matters in each day of our lives, and reminds us that every day matters.
On each page, the Spinellis provide a quote that is both unexpected and thought-provoking. You won’t find the usual platitudes here; rather, the authors draw from books and other sources that most of us would never consider when searching for inspiration.
One of the most creative examples comes from the page for September 29:
“Wheeeee!”
That’s a quote from David Wiesner’s The Three Pigs. Even though all the quotes used in Today I Will piqued my curiosity, this one seemed especially unlikely. Where could it possibly lead?
The Spinellis explain that it is a sound “of someone breaking free – in this case, three pigs who have just escaped from the big, bad wolf and the story they were trapped in.” The explanation segues into a question: “Are you living a story written by someone else? Are you the author of your own life?”
The affirmation drawn from the essay addresses the need to live authentically: “Every time I express an opinion or a judgment today, I’ll stop and ask myself if it really comes from me.”
Between them, Jerry and Eileen Spinelli have written well over fifty books, but Today I Will must surely be the best of the lot. Though aimed at the younger reader, Today I Will is as valuable for adults as for anyone. In fact, it may be more important for older readers, since we often close ourselves off to new ways of thinking as we age.
Perfect for gift-giving, Today I Will is such a treasure that readers will also want to keep a copy for themselves. This is one of those rare books that can be read every day, year after year, and never lose its magic.
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Today I Will: A Year of Quotes, Notes, and Promises to Myself