"In high school I was known as the girl whose father took pictures of naked women. Boys wanted to hang out at my house, hoping to glimpse Peter Gowland photographing a Playboy centerfold. Or perhaps they'd get to see Jayne Mansfield or Raquel Welch or another Hollywood celebrity."

What authors have said about Mary Lee's previous books

Tender Bough

I am happy to say I find a simplicity, a beauty, a tenderness which is so lacking today and which is not old-fashioned, as some may think, but perpetually new and refreshing, inspiring to young and old alike. - Henry Miller

Tender Bough is beautiful. There's the freshness I mean, the child's wild eye. (and not only beautiful, but successful, man), - Ben Massalink

The Guest of Tyn-y-Coedcae

Because of the directness and simplicity, the wistfulness which underlies the moods touches one more deeply than the louder wail of sorrow in some of the screaming poets. It is a poetry of moods, shared with gentleness and precision of color and the feelings issued from human experience. One feels with her. - Anais Nin

"In high school I was known as the girl whose father took pictures of naked women. Boys wanted to hang out at my house, hoping to glimpse Peter Gowland photographing a Playboy centerfold. Or perhaps they'd get to see Jayne Mansfield or Raquel Welch or another Hollywood celebrity."

What authors have said about Mary Lee's previous books

Tender Bough

I am happy to say I find a simplicity, a beauty, a tenderness which is so lacking today and which is not old-fashioned, as some may think, but perpetually new and refreshing, inspiring to young and old alike. - Henry Miller

Tender Bough is beautiful. There's the freshness I mean, the child's wild eye. (and not only beautiful, but successful, man), - Ben Massalink

The Guest of Tyn-y-Coedcae

Because of the directness and simplicity, the wistfulness which underlies the moods touches one more deeply than the louder wail of sorrow in some of the screaming poets. It is a poetry of moods, shared with gentleness and precision of color and the feelings issued from human experience. One feels with her. - Anais Nin

The innovative writing ideas in Surprise Yourself are an adventure for both teachers and students.

Designed to stimulate imagination and celebrate language, these lessons come from Mary Lee's long career as poet, writer and teacher.

"My favorite challenge is the child who says he doesn't like to write. By my third session I can't stop him. It's wonderful to see his pencil fly."

Each of the forty exercises take about an hour, including discussion time, examples from Mary Lee's own work - or other "grown up" sources - and examples from her students, so children will be inspired by their peers.

"Surprise Yourself " is an excellent supplement to the language arts curriculum for classroom teachers, home school parents and after school programs.

In writing we not only communicate with others but learn to better understand ourselves. The skills children acquire from this book will help them become more proficient writers and serve them throughout their lives.

"Excellent I love the format. The lessons are very explicit." - Roz Thrapp, North Fork Elementary School

"Wonderful exercises that I use endlessly, teaching poetry in the Bronx Public Schools." -Katherine Leiner, award winning author of thirteen childrens books, including "Mama Does the Mambo"