Celebrate Black History Month with Books

I found a great site featuring Coretta Scott King Award winning books at TeachingBooks.net.

The site presents all the winning and honor books with presentations from the authors and illustrators.

Hear illustrator Sean Qualls talk about how he illustrated BEFORE JOHN WAS A JAZZ GIANT by Carole Boston Weatherford. (2009 Illustrator Honor book)

Or listen to author Joyce Carol Thomas read from THE BLACKER THE BERRY: POEMS.(2009 Illuatrator Award winner and Author Honor book)

What a great way to connect with the creative talents who made these books happen!

What a great way to celebrate Black History Month.

Blog Talk Radio Interview

I had a fun time talking with April and Margaret today on the Robin Falls Kids Show.

Here's the Blog Talk Radio link if you'd like to listen to our conversation.

CHILDREN'S ILLUSTRATED ART MUSEUM and MORE

I attended the grand opening yesterday of the CHILDREN'S ILLUSTRATED ART MUSEUM in St. Louis. The Museum features artwork from children's books and magazines. All of the Guardian Angel Publishing works are represented there.

I've included a few pictures, so you can get a feel for the place. Much more is to come with additional art works, children's & teacher programs, workshops and book signings.

Plus, here's a link to an interview with me in the St. Louis Suburban Journal.

More from Bruge--Weaving Lace and Stories

Bruge is famous for its lacework. How did they make lace before modern machinery? By hand, of course. The art of braiding this type of lace is tricky. This lace is called bobbin lace. Bobbins are used to hold the threads on a small pillow. Originally, the bobbins were made from bones, so it is also known as bone lace. And sometimes it's called pillow lace as well. For more pictures, click on this Wikipedia link.

Stories are woven together also. Some of the threads of a story would include the characters, the setting, and the plot. Each story forms a different pattern, just like lace.

I've done only a little weaving in my day, on a small loom and knitting and crocheting as well. It's tough to keep all the strands in line, forming the pattern you want. It's tough to keep them from becoming tangled sometimes.

So it is with a story too. I work hard at twisting the plot here and turning a character there or weaving in the setting--just right. This week I'm revising a couple short stories and reviewing a middle grade chapter book in progress. I'm untangling a few knots here and there in each, trying to make wonderfully woven stories for my readers to enjoy.

Sometimes that involves a fair amount of unraveling--which makes it especially hard to keep the pattern of the story in tact. But a completed story, intricately woven with beauty and finesse, is always worth all the hard work.

Now, I'm back to my story weaving.

Find the Perfect Book Match for Your Summer Reading

I'm so excited to tell you about this great opportunity--just a click away. How many times during the summer when your mom or dad suggests you do some reading, you say, "But I don't have any good books."???

When you follow this link to Lexile's Find a Book, you'll be able to enter your grade and what type of books interest you. Presto! Find a Book will zap out a list of titles for you to check out faster than you can slurp down an ice cream cone on a 90-degree summer day.

Pick out a few titles which sound too good to miss. Go online to your local library. See if they have the books. Put holds on them and plan a trip to the library. In no time at all, you can be relaxing with the best of summer reads.

Not so much into reading...no worries. You can indicate what your reading level is when you enter your info into the Find a Book database. A long list of just-right books--for your interests and  correct reading level--will magically appear.

Yeah, but why bother reading during the summer. It's vacation from school time.

So true, but a professor of education at Harvard University, James Kim, did a study. He found that students who don't read over the summer can fall behind in their reading levels by as much as two months. That means you'll have lost ground during the summer. You'll start next school year just trying to catch up to where you left off the year before. That doesn't sound like fun.

But, according to the professor, if you read at least 8 interesting books at your reading level during the summer, you won't fall behind. In fact, you'll probably increase your reading level.

Awesome! Wouldn't that be a cool surprise for your new teacher as well as your parents.

Public libraries usually have great summer reading programs. You may be able to earn prizes reading this summer and beat the summer slide--loosing ground on your reading skills. 

So this summer, do your sliding into home plate--not down hill on your reading.

Libraries are truly COOL places to hang out in this summer. Check one out.

Let me know how you do with your reading and what's the best book you read this summer. 

Summer Reading, Websites, and Recipes for Kids

Holly and I took a field trip to the dog park today. There we met Joey and his mom and their beautiful and friendly Irish Setter, Flash. After Holly showed Joey all the cool tricks she can do, we humans eventually got around to the really fun stuff--talking about books.

Joey was on the lookout for some good summer reading. I offered him a couple of favorites:

THE GOLLYWHOPPER GAMES by Jody Feldman

THE GRAVEYARD BOOK by Neil Gaiman

The Gollywhopper Games received the 2008 Midwest Choice Book Awards Honor for Children's Literature. And the book is also up for possible readers' choice awards in both Alaska and Texas.

The Graveyard Book won this year's Newbery Award as well as honor book in the recently announced Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards. Follow the link for the other selections.

Of course, a library is a great place to visit this summer for expert advice on good books. Plus, they usually have special programs designed for kids of all ages. 

Some other fun things to do this summer can be found online. Visit the AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION's list of great websites for kids. I've mentioned a few of the websites before, like

ReadKiddoRead and Giggle Poetry. But there are lots more suggestions for summer adventures from math to art to science to film making.

Joey also shared with me that he enjoys cooking. Yum! Yum! Don't forget that I have some tasty recipes on my website. Dirty Worms seems like an appropriate dish for summer fare. For more recipes, click on this link. There you'll also find games, crafts, puzzles, and more reading adventures.

Summer Art Show Contest for Kids

Quick...take a look at this:

Fancy Frilly Foxy's Kids Summer Art Show

Robin Falls Kids is the hosting this 2-day contest for

 kids. 

Children's art work and stories can be entered.

What a fun way to start the summer!

Holly has already started

 her summer fun with a splash in the pool. What other adventures will Holly have this summer? Check back to find out...or write your own Holly adventures. I'd love to read your stories about my favorite canine.

Children's Book Week

Sorry it's halfway through the week already before I had the chance to remind you about CHILDREN'S BOOK WEEK. Click on the link and you'll find a great bookmark you can print. 

Since 1919, Children's Book Week has been celebrated in the United States. Schools, libraries, publishers, bookstores and of course, children enjoy this special week, highlighting books and reading.

Click here if you want to help choose the next Children's Choice Book Awards

or here to see the 2008 winners' list.

What great children's books have I been reading this week?

IMMERSED IN VERSE: an Informative, Slightly Irreverent & Totally Tremendous Guide to Living the Poet's Life by Allan Wolf

The title says it all for this poetry how-to book. Discover your inner poet when you take this book out for a spin.

AND THEN THERE WERE EIGHT: Poems about Space by Laura Purdie Salas

These poems are totally out-of-sight! The author shares some star-worthy poems and gives insight into poetry lingo.

A POKE IN THE I: a Collection of Concrete Poems selected by Paul B. Janeczko

When is a poem also a picture? If you don't know, you'll want to dive into this whirl of words.

HOW TO TALK TO YOUR DOG by Jean Craighead George

The author explains dog walk, talk, and body language. You'll decipher your dog's messages in a flash. Fun and informative.

HERO CAT by Eileen Spinelli

Don't miss this sweet picture book highlighting a mother cat's heroic efforts to save her young kittens from a fire. This book is based on a true story. Both the artwork and writing are wonderful.

OK. Now it's YOUR turn. What incredible children's books have you been reading???

Holy Thursday and Passover as Told to Children

Today is a very holy day in both the Christian and Jewish faiths.

Christians celebrate Jesus' Last Supper--the meal he shared with his followers on the night before he died. The feast Jesus and his friends were celebrating was Passover.

Passover is a special time when the Jewish people remember how God helped them leave the slavery of Egypt. God convinced Pharaoh to release all the Jewish people after a terrible tenth plaque killed the first born sons of all the Egyptians. The Jewish first born were spared because God had instructed the Jews to mark their homes in a special way. The Angel of Death "passed over" all their houses and their first born were spared. The Jewish people share a special Passover meal each year to remember God's love for them.

During the Passover meal at The Last Supper, Jesus told his followers he would become their bread--broken and shared for them. In THE JESUS STORYBOOK BIBLE by Sally Lloyd-Jones; illustrated by Jago and published by Zonderkiz, the author retells this and many other Bible stories in beautiful poetic words. The Bible stories come alive with Jago's pastel portraits and scenes. What a wonderful way to celebrate this holy day--reading the Bible story.

Children's Book Classics--What Are Yours?

Parents pass their likes on to their children. Especially, their love of reading. Books they liked as children will be shared with their own children.

My husband and my younger son Dan love J.R.R. Tolkien's LORD OF THE RING series. But children also introduce parents to favorites of theirs, which in turn become favorites of the parents.

Both my sons loved WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE by Maurice Sendak. And even now, I delight in repeating the line from the book when Max says, "I'll eat you up I love you so." 

This article at CNN.com discusses classic children's books.

What children's books are your favorites??? 

New Boy Books I've Been Reading

BIRD LAKE MOON by Kevin Henkes (published by Greenwillow) is a boy book that deals with issues of divorce and death. Twelve-year-old Mitch Sinclair reluctantly accompanies his mom to his grandparents' lake house after his dad announces he wants a divorce. The tension mounts quickly as Mitch finds it hard to accept the divorce, and his grandparents seem less than enthusiastic about their long-term house guests.

Mitch adopts an empty house next door as his getaway place, but too soon the long-gone owners of the house return. They are a family of four--Mom, Dad, Spencer (10) and Lolly (7). They bring with them the sad memory of a first son who drowned in the lake eight years ago.

Mitch and Spencer become friends, even after Spencer discovers Mitch's prank to release the family dog. They discover a bond in their losses--Mitch's father and Spencer's brother. Both of them come to realize they must rise above their problems and take control of their lives.

The book is well-written with characters many young readers can identify with. While this book is not a fast-moving action thriller, it offers a glimpse into modern life which many children can relate to and which they would find interesting. For those readers ready to try another Henkes' novel, direct them to OLIVE'S OCEAN--another introspective book which deals with death and coming of age.

GHOST LETTERS by Stephen Alters (published by Bloomsbury) has a combination of adventure, supernatural, and historical elements. Gil--a fourteen-year-old who has just been expelled from McCauley Prep School because he copied a poem off the Internet and claimed it as his own--is exiled to seaside Massachusetts to stay with a grandfather he barely knows while his busy jet-setting parents decide what to do with him.

In the three-week interim, he finds a mysterious blue bottle at the ocean's edge and begins sending messages back and forth over time to an Indian boy caught up in an 1896 British conflict in the tea growing area of Ajeegarb.

While Gil is trying to tying to make sense of these strange messages, he meets Nargis--a local girl his own age--at a trash dump where they discover another mystery--a smelly skeleton hand belonging to a 19th century local spinster, the victim of lost love.

There is also a mysterious ghostly letter carrier and a poetic genie involved in all this. Sometimes the fantastical elements seem a bit too much, but the book is a page turner. Gil and Nargis are determined to solve the mystery and to help their new friend in India escape the horrors of war as well as reunite the star-crossed lovers.

With the threat of being sent to military school looming over him, Gil manages to use the supernatural powers to his advantage, and in doing so a happy ending ensues for all.

This book provides interesting mysteries woven into a historical setting and interlaced with numerous fantasy elements. Boy readers should enjoy this fast-paced tale.

Turkey Crafts and Reading Fun for Thanksgiving

HIGHLIGHTS magazine has tons of turkey fun for crafty kids this month. For a totally new approach, try making a turkey from a sea shell. And for more turkey crafts, click here.

In Christine Webster's book, HOW TO DRAW THANKSGIVING SYMBOLS, she provides facts and step-by-step drawing instructions for turkeys and all the favorite Thanksgiving characters.

For a fun read this Thanksgiving, go to your library and check out Dav Pilkey's TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE THANKSGIVING. And save some time to explore Dav Pilkey's website and his Groovy Games.

I hope you can find some time this week to make your own special turkey crafts and enjoy Thanksgiving reading fun.

Gobble! Gobble!

Children's Books on Their Way to the White House

Milton Terrace South Elementary School in New York state conducted their own election this month. Under the direction of their school media specialist, Susan Penney, the 3th, 4th, and 5th grade students in the gifted classes researched the current books in the White House library. They found very few for soon-to-be White House residents, Malia and Sasha Obama, President-elect Barack Obama's two daughters.

Each grade at Milton Terrace South Elementary School nominated two of their favorite children's books, and everyone in the school voted on the winning titles. 16 of the children's books will soon be on their way to the White House. If you'd like to read more about the school's literary voting, click on this link to SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL . 

CHARLOTTE'S WEB by E.B. White is one of the children's books on their way to the White House. What would be your favorite book to send for Malia and Sasha to read?

If you want to find out more about the White House, go to www.WhiteHouse.gov and do some exploring of your own. 

A Presidential Book

Last night I stayed up to watch Barack Obama as he claimed his victory in the U. S. presidential race. I wanted to be a part of this important time in history. I was not disappointed. His speech was inspiring-- hope-filled. A unifying speech for all of our people.

I had the great opportunity this June, while attending a writing workshop in Arkansas at Harding University, to meet Nikki Grimes and to see the galley version of a picture book biography that she had just completed. It was BARACK OBAMA: Son of Promise, Child of Hope. 

Ms. Grimes explained how she had been approached to write the book in a bit of a hurry--to be completed and ready for publication by September. She, of course, had many other works-in-progress demanding her time as well. Could she squeeze in one more book? A book that must be completed in three weeks time? 

Three weeks to research, write, edit, revise, and complete--in order to have the book submitted to the illustrator in time. 

Even though her other projects tugged her in the opposite direction, Ms. Grimes felt called to walk down President-elect Obama's road. She would do the research. She would piece together word snapshots of his life, like a tenderly stitched quilt. She would help share his story with young readers, eager to learn of this remarkable man. I'm very glad she did.

Click on the link if you'd like to read Ms. Grimes' tips for writing poetry.

DOGGIE DAY CAMP -- Two Paws Up!

Children's author, Katy S. Duffield, sent her review of the latest PET GRAMMAR PARADE book, Doggie Day Camp:

In my mind, “delightful” is the highest compliment a children’s book can receive and Cynthia’s Reeg’s book, Doggie Day Camp: Verb and Adverb Adventures is deliciously delightful! The rollicking tale of Bubba’s first day at doggie camp, along with Kit Grady’s make-me-smile illustrations, are sure to catch children’s interest. And not only is the book a fun read, it’s also chock full of learning potential. Readers are invited to point out verbs and adverbs along the way and the Study Guide at the end of the book provides heaps of extra practice. Reeg knows how to make learning fun. I give this book a two paws up!

- Katy S. Duffield

Author of FARMER MCPEEPERS AND HIS MISSING MILK COWS

Thanks, Ms. Duffield. I'm so glad you enjoyed DOGGIE DAY CAMP. And I hope everyone has the chance to read your fun picture book with Farmer McPeepers. I know they'll love helping find the missing milk cows. Now where could they be???

Interview with KIT GRADY

Today the talented illustrator for DOGGIE DAY CAMP: VERB AND ADVERB ADVENTURES--KIT GRADY--is featured in an interview by children's author, Shari Lyle-Soffe.

Kit shares some insights into her creative world.

KIT GRADY INTERVIEW

by Shari Lyle-Soffe

Shari: Does an illustrator have more than one style of illustrating? How do you decide which style to use in children's book illustrations?

Kit: I think an illustrator’s style is somewhat consistent once they settle into their illustrative skin,- meaning it is like one’s handwriting and there may be differences, yet it could still be picked out from the handwriting of someone else. But like writing, I Illustrate in different techniques depending on the age of my audience and type of story. Illustrators have many tools to use to create the mood/atmosphere for their books. Line widths, types of lines, colors, realistic styles and /or whimsical approaches are just a few things an artist considers when they are assigned a manuscript.

Shari: What do you wear while you are illustrating?

Kit: I get maybe, too comfortable when I work. Give me a pair of jeans, warm shirt and always my L.L. Bean soft bedroom shoes and I am ready to tackle those awaiting illustrations.

Shari: Where do you like to work?

Kit: When I am sketching or writing, you will find me on the porch watching the squirrels trying to eat all the bird food out of the feeder. But later I will scan those sketches into my computer and work until completed with my drawing tablet on photoshop. From my window in my studio room I have a humming bird feeder so I can watch the humming birds fight with the yellow jackets for their food. It is a wonder I get anything done with all this going on.

Shari: What do you munch on while drawing?

Kit: I usually will be drinking coffee at my desk with a few animal cookies. I try to behave and not nibble all day.

Shari: Tell us about your children's books.

Kit: I have just completed my 6th children’s book. My first picture book I wrote and illustrated, was for Windswept House Publishers. This book, Jiggsy’s Necklace, may be coming out in an animated form soon. I followed it with an educational leveled reading book by Kaeden Books--Just One More, Mom in 2006. Last year I illustrated two books for private authors and was honored to join the Collier Creative Group. This year I joined Guardian Angel Publishing and have illustrated two books. Flutterbunnies by Mel McIntyre and Doggie Day Camp by Cynthia Reeg. I have a few projects in early stages.

Shari: I have seen your artwork and it is delightful. Do you have a website/blog where readers may learn more about you and your works, and see your illustrations?

Kit: Yes, Please visit me at www.kitgrady.com

Shari: What’s your favorite children’s book of all time?

Kit: Can I have a combination of two? First “The Little Engine that Could” for the determination we all need as writers and illustrators -and “The Velveteen Rabbit” because it is magical.

Shari: What is the best advice on writing/illustration you've ever heard?

Kit: Writing, and illustration both need time when their done to rest. When you go back later and revisit you will see it with new eyes.

Shari: Why are picture books so difficult to write?

Kit: Many think children’s books are just adult books dummied down. Which they are not. It is much harder to cut, edit and rework for the shorter word count and still say it just right, to a watchful young audience.

Shari: In closing, what would you like to tell our readers?

Kit: If you are a writer or artist with a dream, continue to study, practice and learn all you can of this wonderful field. Don’t give up.

Gifts From God Is Weekend Special

I just learned that GIFTS FROM GOD
is a Weekend Special
at Fictionwise.com. This selection was based on GIFTS FROM GOD's popularity and reader feedback from those who purchased the eBook version.

I know this news just made my weekend pretty special.

Score a Goal--Read a Book!

Today is an exciting day for world soccer fans--the World Cup soccer game will be played between Spain & Germany in Vienna, Austria. Truly, soccer has become a global sensation, played by many around the world. Soccer is an international language of its own.

At the INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S DIGITAL LIBRARY you can find books from around the world. This site's goal is to help children become a part of the global world through literature from various countries and in many languages. The books are free for you to read. What a treat!

In anticipation of today's big match, I visited the international library and found the picture book, BAD, BAD BUNNY TROUBLE by German-born author, Hans Wilhelm, was also translated into Spanish--GOLDE FERDERICO! This is a tale of a soccer-loving bunny boy who saves the day with a winning kick that drives away a trio of menacing foxes.

I certainly don't know what the outcome of today's match will be between Germany & Spain, but I'm sure you will find many delightful books at the International Children's Digital Library. So score a goal today...read a book!

DOGGIE DAY CAMP

I'm very pleased and excited to tell you that DOGGIE DAY CAMP: VERB AND ADVERB ADVENTURES, the second book in Guardian Angel Publishing's The Pet Grammar Parade Series, will be coming out soon. DOGGIE DAY CAMP explores verbs and adverbs with Bubba the dog.

Kit Grady created the amazing illustrations for the book. And like the first book in this series, KITTY KERPLUNKING: PREPOSITION FUN, this book also provides a study guide and lots of great activities. Already the teachers who have seen book love it and plan to use it in their classrooms.

Here is a clip from one review, Doggie Day Camp: Verb and Adverb Adventures is not only an entertaining story, but also an excellent resource to introduce grammar concepts to young readers and reinforce the use of verbs and adverbs to older readers. I'm looking forward to more books in Cynthia Reeg's grammar series.-- Kelly Secrease, 6th Grade Language Arts
Nettleton Intermediate Center
Jonesboro, Ar.

LAUNCH PAD'S NEW ISSUE

The new children's ezine, LAUNCH PAD, has just announced another issue's release. The OCEANS issue (the ezine's third issue) is now up on their website. They've collected a series of fun stories and poems--all illustrated and written by children.


But they are still in need of more contributors for upcoming issues such as Summer Fun (hiking, camping, summer sports, vacations, etc.), Mystery, and Variety (any topic). And they especially need illustrators for the ezine.

Send any suggestions or submissions to: Paul Kelsey, Editor and Publisher
Launch Pad: Where Young Authors and Illustrators Take Off!
editor@launchpadmag.com

Walking on a Rainbow

Today I am excited to welcome my writer friend, Mayra. She'll share a bit of her literary journey with you--and celebrate the release of her new picture book, CRASH!

Walking on a Rainbow: How I Became a Children’s Book Author
By Mayra Calvani

I used to think writing children’s books was boring. Writing for those demanding, whining creatures? Are you kidding? Not for me. No thanks.

That was a few years ago.

Now, nothing fills me with more joy and excitement than writing a picture book or a novel for tweens. Writing for children is like stepping into a fresh, magical, innocent, marvelous world of color and words. Writing for children is, in fact, like walking on a rainbow.

So how did the change happen?

Easy. I had children.

I recently read an interesting post by another children’s author about how in order to write good children’s stories, one must know children. Of course, as always, there are exceptions to the rule, but in general, I find this observation to be true. This doesn’t necessarily mean that one must have children in order to write great children’s stories, but it does mean that one must interact with them, know their fears, fantasies, dreams. In sum, one must have a clear idea of what goes on inside their little heads and hearts.

In my case, having children brought out a tender, gentler part of me to the surface, a part I didn’t know I had. Suddenly, as I read to my little daughter every night, picture books, with their beautiful and evocative illustrations, began to appear very appealing to me. I don’t remember when the exact moment happened, the moment when I thought, ‘I want to write a children’s book.’ But I do know I went from extreme to extreme: from chilling horror to sweet picture books. Two very different worlds, but I’m able to switch from one to the other without much problem. On the contrary, each one serves as a refreshing break from the other. So I may work on a lovable children’s story in the morning, and dive into a disturbing werewolf scene in the afternoon. It’s fun, like having split personalities, without the crazy element (or at least, I hope so!).

So far, I’ve written four picture books. Two have already been published: The Magic Violin (http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/magic-violin.htm) and CRASH! (http://crashthepuppy.blogspot.com/) The other two are in the illustrating stages and will be released next year. I also have a finished tween novel in the editing stages and another one in progress.

The world of children’s book publishing is extremely competitive, to say the least. It takes hard work, dedication, perseverance and commitment to become a published author. I know the stakes, but once you step into that magical rainbow, there’s no turning back.

*****
Mayra Calvani (http://www.mayrassecretbookcase.blogspot.com/) is a multi-genre author, reviewer, dog lover, and animal advocate. A regular contributor to Blogcritics Magazine and American Chronicle, she is also the author of CRASH!, a children’s picture book about a little boy and how he learns to care and find the perfect name for his new golden retriever puppy. Check out her ‘Crash the Puppy’ blog at http://www.crashthepuppy.blogspot.com/.

Children's Choice Book Awards--Vote Now

From the CHILDREN’S BOOK COUNCIL:
Since 1975, the Children’s Book Council and the International Reading Association have sponsored Children’s Choices, where publishers submit some 700 titles to be evaluated and voted on by 10,000 children throughout the school year. This year, CBC is opening the contest up to children across the country. Kids can cast their votes for favorite books, author, and illustrator at bookstores, school libraries, and online through May 4. Winners will be announced during Children’s Book Week, May 12–18.
http://bookweekonline.com/kidsvote.html
Favorite books can be voted on in these categories: Grade: K-2, 3-4, 5-6, and Favorite AUTHOR and ILLUSTRATOR

There are 5 choices in each category

Make sure to vote on your favorites...and if you haven't read some of them yet, you still have time!

Super Saturday

On Saturday, I had the privilege to hear Allyn Johnston, Editor-in-Chief at Harcourt, and Marla Frazee, children's author and illustrator, give a presentation on picture books in Washington, Missouri.

Ms. Johnston spoke of "the power of picture books." She said she believes good ones have "the ability to affect lives." She also referred to a picture book as "a piece of theater on a 32-page stage." She looks for the rhythm and repetition in a well-written picture book. "Perfect words in perfect places." She said the last line of the story should resonate and the story should come full circle. To find out more about Allyn Johnston, here's a link to an interview with her:http://www.scbwi.org/faces/getting_to_know/previous/johnston.htm

Ms. Frazee spoke of the physical structure of a picture book--the 32-page format. She said it is the combination of words and pictures that tell the complete story in a picture book. She emphasized her respect for children as her audience--how well they "read" her pictures. She stressed that picture books need to have an emotional component--even humorous ones. For more information on Marla Frazee, you may visit her website at http://www.marlafrazee.com/

What a great opportunity this was to hear these special insights from two such knowledgeable women in children's literature.

The other excitement I was a part of on Saturday was Jody Feldman's premeir of her first children's book, THE GOLLYWHOPPER GAMES, at Left Bank Books in St. Louis. Jody's idea for THE GOLLYWHOOPER GAMES began many years ago when she was volunteering in a school library and witnessed a boy unable to satisfy his book thirst after finishing CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY. Jody wanted to write a book that would be similiar to Roald Dahl's masterpiece. Her love for word games and puzzles led her to create this story featuring the Golly Toy & Game Company. For a read filled with interactive adventures, be sure to find a copy of Jody's new middle grade novel. The official release of THE GOOLYWHOPPER GAMES is tomorrow, March 3. And to read more about Jody, you may visit her website at http://jodyfeldman.typepad.com/writing/

Picture Book Secrets

Today's treat is courtesy of Margot Finke and her February Musings at Harold Underdown's PURPLE CRAYON website. Click on the link below where you'll discover Margot's "Checklist for Writing Picture Books," help on plotting, her "5 C's of Compelling Fiction," advice on choosing powerful verbs and adjectives, tips on tight writing, and so much more.

http://www.underdown.org/mf-picture-book-secrets.htm

Margot has two other websites you'll want to visit as well:

http://www.margotfinke.com/

http://margotfinke.blogspot.com/

As Margot would say, "HAPPY WRITING, MATES!"

Congratulations to STORIES FOR CHILDREN

Congratulations to Virginia S. Grenier and her staff at the amazing children's eZine, STORIES FOR CHILDREN (http://storiesforchildren.tripod.com/). They just won a top 10 spot in PREDITORS & EDITORS 2007 Readers Poll!!!(http://anotherealm.com/prededitors/votefictzine07.htm)

STORIES FOR CHILDREN ranked among the very best in 3 categories: Fiction, Nonfiction, and Poetry. “I can’t believe it," said Ms. Grenier. "This is our first year out and we actually placed in the Top Ten in many different categories. A dream come true for all of here at SFC.”

Look for my short story, "BF's & Butterflies," to be appearing in STORIES FOR CHILDREN's April 2008 issue. Here's a synopsis of my upcoming story:

Small town girl, Leya, wants to figure out a way to befriend Kari, the new girl, before Nasty Nona--self-crowned queen of fifth grade--claims her. Leya’s just lost her BF—Best Friend—Lucy, who’s moved all the way to Florida. Now as Leya struggles to find a new BF, as well as her place in her fifth grade class, she discovers that butterflies can lead to friendship.

So if you haven't visited STORIES FOR CHILDREN yet, be sure and give yourself a treat and stop by soon. And remember to check back at SFC for my April story--which is only about a month away. Don't worry...I'll be sure and remind you again when it's published.

Robin Falls

Today I've discovered a new children's book author, April Robins, with a lovely website I'm sure you'll want to visit.

http://www.robinfalls.com/

There you'll find a winter coloring page to download. Wouldn't this wolf picture make a wonderful project to work on while the icy winds and snow keep you inside?

http://www.robinfalls.com/newprintouts.html

A Pair of International Reviews

Many thanks go out to Mayra Calvani--writer and reviewer in Brussels, Belguim--for her lovely reviews of GIFTS FROM GOD and KITTY KERPLUNKING. Read what she has to say:


Beautiful and spiritually inspiring, Gifts from God is a tribute to God and all the things that are pure in our lives--the innocence and laughter of our children, the tenderness of a newborn, the magnificence of a sunset, the 'laughter' of a waterfall. With a few simple lines, some taken from the Bible, some from her imagination, author Cynthia Reeg has created a lovely book for the entire family, one to be read not only at bedtime, but at any hour of the day. The photographs and imagery are, in one word, captivating. This is a must children's book for your Christian fiction bookshelf.

In Kitty Kerplunking: Preposition Fun, Reeg teaches children, in a light and fun way, the uses of prepositions. How does she do this? With the help of one very cute Kitty and his antics about the house. Each page features an engaging, colorful illustration and a sentence showing a preposition. For instance...
"Preppy the kitty … pitter-pattered ON the piano keys."
Each time the preposition in the sentence is capitalized. At the end of the book there's a useful study guide as well as six pages of activities, including a criss-cross puzzle, word search, seek & find, and fill-in-the-blanks. This is the perfect book to introduce young children to prepositions.


To read more of Mayra's reviews, visit her at Mayra's Secret Bookcase http://mayrassecretbookcase.blogspot.com/2008/02/reviews-of-gifts-frm-god-and-kitty.html


There, you can also find out about her children's picture book, THE MAGIC VIOLIN, and her soon-to-be-published book, THE SLIPPERY ART OF BOOK REVIEWING.

And if you'd like to find out even more about Mayra, journey to her other blog, THE FOUNTAIN PEN NEWLETTER at http://thefountainpennewsletter.blogspot.com/

Happy reading!