Father's Day Gift Ideas

Father's Day is fast approaching. Dads love a homemade gifts.

Why not try writing a special poem for your dad?

Remember when we did some ACROSTIC poems here? Try that idea for a Father's Day poem.

Mega-special map reader.

Yaw-some pancake maker.

Dynamic

Arm wrestler.

Dizzy trampoline jumper.

Inventive homework helper.

Super-duper coach.

Good hugger.

Rainy day game leader.

Extra-

Amazing-

Totally the very best ever--Dad !!!

*****

Or write a story for your dad. You can make one up--a fiction story. Maybe write how your dad saved the planet from the giant worms from Pluto. This would be a fantasy story because it couldn't happen in real life.

Or write a fiction story about something silly that could really happen--like your dad deciding to open a pet store, but he ends up with way too many pets and you need to come to his rescue.

Or write a nonfiction story about an adventure that you and your dad shared in real life.

The possibilities are endless. Add your own illustrations too. Dads love that.

Father's Day is June 21. Get started today and make your dad's day something special.

Best of Stories For Children Magazine

It's been a rainy day here today--lots of clouds, lightning, thunder and RAIN! But it finally seems to be stopping and a bit of sun is peeking through. Hopefully, it will dry out  for the weekend. 

My poor dog Holly hates thunderstorms. They scare her something awful. So this seems to be a good time for a happy announcement.

I have been notified by publisher, Virginia Grenier, that my short story, "BF's & Butterflies," has been chosen from the 2008 STORIES FOR CHILDREN MAGAZINE to be included in their Best of Stories for Children Magazine Volume 2! 

Woo-hoo! News like that is sure to make the sun keep shining. I'll keep you posted when I find out more about the projected publication date. In the meantime, visit their site for the latest in great stories, articles, crafts and more for children. And here's the link for Volume 1.

Exciting News!

I just found out THE GIRLS, a middle grade anthology with my short story, "The Emily Explosion," is to be released on August 15! Blooming Tree Press is publishing the story collection. I'm so glad the book will be available as the new school year starts. What a great addition to a school or classroom library--or for your very own.

Here's a quick look at what "The Emily Explosion" is about:

I’m nobody! Who are you?
Are you nobody, too?
Then there’s a pair of us – don’t tell
They’d banish us, you know.

Dee-Dee Tunley, a seventh grade literature loser, enjoys doodling much more than analyzing Emily Dickinson’s weird poems. However, when Dee-Dee is forced to do extra credit work on the above poem, she finds a connection with Emily and discovers they may both be somebodies rather than nobodies.

Have you ever felt like a nobody? What helped you realize you were really a somebody? I'd love to hear your story.

I adore Emily Dickinson's poems. Who is your favorite poet???