What's New With Cynthia Reeg

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noreply@blogger.com (Cynthia Reeg) — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 20:35:00 +0000

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Happy St. Patrick's Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Cynthia Reeg) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:47:00 +0000

Here is wee Henry James to wish everyone a Happy St. Patrick's Day!

For fun, visit my website and try to make your way through the

maze and reach the leprecaun's gold before he does.

And you'll be wanting to try your hand at writing a Limerick, for sure now. Here's all you need to get you started, plus a clover leaf shape to write it on.

Congratulation to Kim Chatel, RAINBOW SHEEP Author

noreply@blogger.com (Cynthia Reeg) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:12:00 +0000

Kim Chatel, author of RAINBOW SHEEP from Guardian Angel Publishing, has just been asked to create some of her wonderful fiber art illustrations for Colin Thompson's new book for the Save the Children Foundation. Mr. Thompson discovered Kim's illustrations at the Children's Illustrated Art Museum in St. Louis.

Kim is the book trailer creator for all my Guardian Angel books, so you can see some of her handiwork on my website: Kitty Kerplunking, Doggie Day Camp, Hamster Holidays, and Gifts from God. And for a sneak peek at Kim's RAINBOW SHEEP, visit this month's edition of Guardian Angel Kids, an online interactive ezine for kids.

Congratulations, Kim!

Helping Children Write

noreply@blogger.com (Cynthia Reeg) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 19:28:00 +0000

Today I read a short article by author, Anastasia Suen, about "Teaching Sentence Fluency with Wordless Books." She suggests using wordless picture books and letting the students write the story based on the pictures.

We did much the same technique when I worked in an elementary school library. Each year we would have the three second grade classes put into words the wonderful wordless classic, THE SNOWMAN by Raymond Briggs.

With each different class we had them decide as a group what the name of the characters in the story were to be. Then 2-3 students would be given one page of the story to tell. We would gather each group's page, put them in order, and post the entire story on the wall outside the library. The students loved this activity. They enjoyed reading the other two classes' stories as well--because even using the same illustrations, the three classes' stories differed. A wonderful way to emphasize the unlimited creativity we each possess--how we each see the world a bit differently.

What a great way to encourage young writers and readers. This activity could easily be used at home as well. The simple truth is the better a child can read and write the better he will do in school. Help your child(ren) become great readers and writers and have fun while doing it.

Grammar Games

noreply@blogger.com (Cynthia Reeg) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 21:53:00 +0000

Hey, I had a really nice thank you note today from a mom who bought a copy of DOGGIE DAY CAMP. When she shared it with her stepson, who was struggling a bit recognizing adverbs, Bubba's story seemed to flip the adverbial light on for him.

Hip-hip-hooray for all THE PET GRAMMAR PARADE critters! Their mission is to make learning fun for kids-- KITTY KERPLUNKING and HAMSTER HOLIDAYS.

Check out these online grammar games for more grammar fun:

Fun Brain Grammar Gorillas

Grammar Blast from Houghton Mifflin

Celebrate Black History Month with Books

noreply@blogger.com (Cynthia Reeg) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 20:26:00 +0000

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.

February Fun

noreply@blogger.com (Cynthia Reeg) — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 18:48:00 +0000

HIGHLIGHTS has a "click and play" Hidden Pictures interactive game just in time for Valentine's Day. See if you can find all the hidden pictures and make the illustration transform into bright colors--"Making Valentines."

For more interactive kid computer fun, check out Guardian Angel Publishing's new online magazine GUARDIAN ANGEL KIDS. Here is the link to their Games. You can draw and paint, solve puzzles, and find matches. Or watch one of the book videos. Or download one of the free books or coloring pages. There's more than enough fun stuff to fill your week as you countdown to Valentine's Day.

And don't forget to read "The Foolproof Valentine's Plan" right here on my website.

The Biggest Book in the World

noreply@blogger.com (Cynthia Reeg) — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:56:00 +0000

The Klencke Atlas is 350 years old and it is the biggest book in the world. It is 5 feet tall and 6 feet wide. The atlas was a gift to an English king, Charles II, 350 years ago. Six people are needed to just to lift the book--that's some heavy reading.

For the very first time in 350 years, the atlas is going to be on public display at the British Library. The display will highlight 100 maps, showing off their wonderful artwork.

If you wanted to make a book as huge as the Klencke Atlas, what would the book be about? Think about how big you would need to make the book mark for such a book. And how would you read the Klencke Atlas? You certainly couldn't hold it on your lap.

Just some interesting book stuff for Friday...what are you reading this weekend???

Fun and Games and Writing

noreply@blogger.com (Cynthia Reeg) — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 14:51:00 +0000

Let's have some fun today. Do you like to play memory games?

How about matching up cards or answering game questions?

HIGHLIGHTS has a colorful memory game online this month--Memory Lanes.

I plan to go back and play the game again and try to beat my score. I didn't have as good a memory as I thought. :-)

Exploring your memory is a great way to create details for stories.

Pretend you wanted to set your story in your house.

What color is your front door?
What material is the floor in your living room? What sound do you make walking across it?
How would you describe the view out your bedroom window?
What do you hear when you open the window?
What do you smell cooking when you walk into the kitchen?
Is it warm or cold when you step outside?

I hope you enjoy challenging your memory today.

Pura Belpre Awards

noreply@blogger.com (Cynthia Reeg) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 21:15:00 +0000

Also announced at the ALA MidWinter Meeting in Boston on Monday were the winners of the Pura Belpre Awards, which "honor Latino authors and illustrators whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in children’s books."

The 2010 winners were Rafael López, illustrator of Book Fiesta!: Celebrate Children’s Day/Book Day, and Julia Alvarez, author of Return to Sender. Check out the ALA link to find out more about the books and their creators.

Coretta Scott King Awards

noreply@blogger.com (Cynthia Reeg) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:13:00 +0000

The Coretta Scott King Awards were presented this week for outstanding books for children and young adults created by African-American authors and illustrators.

This year's King Author Book winner is BAD NEWS FOR OUTLAWS: THE REMARKABLE LIFE OF BASS REEVES, DEPUTY U.S. MARSHAL by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson.

The King Author Book honor selection is MARE'S WAR by Tanita S. Davis.

The King Illustrator award was given to MY PEOPLE, illustrated by Charles R. Smith, Jr. and written by Langston Hughes.

The honor book for the illustrator award is THE NEGRO SPEAKS OF RIVERS, illustrated by E. B. Lewis and also written by Langston Hughes.

Congratulations to all the winners!

New ALA Book Awards

noreply@blogger.com (Cynthia Reeg) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 21:09:00 +0000

The winners have just been announced and they are....TA DA!

2010 Newbery Award--WHEN YOU REACH ME by Rebecca Stead

Honor Books--CLAUDETTE COLVIN: TWICE TOWARD JUSTICE by Phillip Hoose

THE EVOLUTION OF CALPURINA TATE by Jacqueline Kelly

WHERE THE MOUNTAIN MEETS THE MOON by Grace Lin

THE MOSTLY TRUE ADVENTURES OF HOMER P. FIG by Rodman Philbrick

2010 Caldecott Award--THE LION AND THE MOUSE by Jerry Pinkney

Honor Books (this one was a favorite of mine)--ALL THE WORLD illustrated by Marla Frazee and written by Liz Garton Scanlon

RED SINGS FROM TREETOPS: A YEAR IN COLORS illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski and written by Joyce Sidman.

More award-winning books tomorrow...

Frosty Feathered Friends

noreply@blogger.com (Cynthia Reeg) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:18:00 +0000

This is turning out to be an awfully cold winter.

Lucky for us we can go inside where it's warm.

The birds and other wildlife don't have that opportunity, so it's important they are able to find food to fuel their bodies.

If you can, leave some birdseed out for them. You'll enjoy watching the variety of birds who come to feast on the tempting treats you've provided.

HIGHLIGHTS online magazine has a fun bird quiz you can play. You'll not only be able to see possible bird visitors to your feeder. You'll be able to hear them as well.

You can go to the library where you'll find books on birds, like BACKYARD BIRDS OF WINTER by Carol Lerner. You'll discover interesting information about the birds visiting your backyard. You can even keep a log of the different birds you see each day. Keep binoculars handy and a camera. Can you snap a shot of one? Or try to draw a picture.

Which ones are your favorites?

Hands Up to Start a Story

noreply@blogger.com (Cynthia Reeg) — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 23:40:00 +0000

The new year is a great time to start writing--a story a week would be a great goal.

All you need to start your next story is your hand.

That's right.

Place your hand flat on a piece of paper.

Trace around it.

In the center of your hand, write one sentence about the story you want to write.

A story about bringing my dog home for the first time.

Above the little finger, write "WHO."

Then above the next finger, write "WHAT."

Above the next finger, write "WHY."

Above the next finger, write "WHEN."

Above the next finger, write "WHERE."

Now fill in the information on each finger.

WHO: my dog Patches and me

WHAT: bringing Patches home from the animal shelter

WHY: to show how scared Patches was at first

WHEN: last summer for my birthday

WHERE: at my dad's house

Now, using your handy outline,

start at the beginning--

and tell your story.

Don't forget to give your story a fun title, like "A Place for Patches."

You can even add illustrations or photos.

Get ready, set, write!

HAPPY NEW YEAR-- 2010!

noreply@blogger.com (Cynthia Reeg) — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 15:58:00 +0000

Wishing all of you a wonderful start to 2010!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

noreply@blogger.com (Cynthia Reeg) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 16:05:00 +0000

Christmas greetings to everyone!

May the Christ child's gift of peace and love light the way in your New Year.

I share with you my poem, "Christmas Day."

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Teachers First with Poetry

noreply@blogger.com (Cynthia Reeg) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 21:06:00 +0000

I am very pleased to announce that TEACHERS FIRST.com chose my poem, "Buggy Alphabetics," as a teaching poem on their website.

Click on the link to TeachersFirst.com and scroll down the page a bit for a quick hands-on poetry lesson featuring my poem--so wonderfully illustrated on my website by Nikki Schaefer. Of course, you'll want to visit my acrobatic bugs in the

Writings section of my website, so you can enjoy the slideshow as well.

If you want to try an ABCEDARIAN--an alphabetic poem that uses the letters A-Z in proper order as the first letters of every line--start with only a few letters. As you become more comfortable with this poetic challenge, see how far you can go--alphabetically--with your lines. In a new Abcedarian I created below, I give myself a little leeway with an extra word, here and there, after the main letter word on a few lines. I also use two semi-invented words. (Can you find them?) That's why poetry is so much fun--it's puzzles and puns and wordplay all wrapped up in the coolest formats.

Give an ABCEDARIAN a try!

*****

FEATHERED FESTIVITIES

Bright

Cardinal--

Dressed

Elegantly--

For the Festivities,

Gathered

Holly berries

In a

Jaunty

Kitbag

Loaded with

Miscellaneous

Nuts and

Offerings,

Perfect

Quota for the

Robins,

Sparrows, and

Turtle doves'

Up-tempo

Vocal

Warblings and

X-citing

Yuletide

Zelebration!

A Snowy Treat

noreply@blogger.com (Cynthia Reeg) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 18:06:00 +0000

Well, it is beginning to look a little more like Christmas here. We had a dusting of snow last night. In the spirit of the snowy season, here is a link to a recipe for SNOWMAN SOUP--a hot cocoa mix you and yours can make to enjoy or give as a gift.

Have fun and bundle up!

Let It Snow!

noreply@blogger.com (Cynthia Reeg) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:26:00 +0000

HIGHLIGHTS Magazine has a new hidden picture puzzle for December: Let It Snow by Linda Weller.

Click on the link to download the picture and start searching. I am always amazed how the artists manage to hide all the objects in plan sight. Remember, sometimes it's easier to find a hidden object by turning the picture upside down or sideways.

Life can be like that sometimes too--when you take a look at something from a totally different perspective, you can find new answers or ideas. And since I can truly stand on my head, I do know what the world looks like upside down. Do you?

What would snow look like if you were standing on your head? Would it be falling down or falling up? Here is how I would write the letters if I were upside down...

Tis the season to be silly!

Holiday Dinosaurs

noreply@blogger.com (Cynthia Reeg) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:48:00 +0000

I visited New York City last week to hang out with my son Matt. We braved the wind and rain on Wednesday to visit some museums. Guess where we found a pair of evergreen dinosaurs?

At the Museum of Natural History. The dinosaurs smelled super fragrant and were very, very big!

So that started me thinking, what do dinosaurs do for the holidays? You, of course, know where to look for the answer to that question--picture books!

Here are some suggested titles to help discover all the dinos' holiday happenings:

DINOSAUR ON HANUKKAH by Diane Levin Rauchwerger

THE DINOSAURS NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS by Anne Muecke

HAPPY HOLIDAYSAURUS by Bernard Most

If you wrote a story about dinosaur happenings over the holidays, how would your holidaysaurus be celebrating?

Fun New Reads

noreply@blogger.com (Cynthia Reeg) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 21:38:00 +0000

Although it gets rather crazy this time of year, I have been able to read some new picture books. A few I really enjoyed--both for the stories and the illustrations--are listed below:

THE ODD EGG by Emily Gravett/ Simon & Schuster, 2008.

I love the softly drawn animals--who all have an egg, "except for Duck."

Duck finds a special egg and proceeds to hatch it, despite the hoots from the others.

The book has some fold-and-reveal flaps which young readers will enjoy.

And when Duck's egg finally does crack, everyone is in for a surprise.

ALL THE WORLD by Liz Garton Scanlon/ illustrated by Marla Frazee/ Beach Lane Books, 2009.

Even though this is not a Christmas book per se, its message is the Christmas message of "hope and peace and love and trust."

This is a lyrical book, with an unassuming rhyme and easy flow, as writeen by Ms. Scanlon.

I was already a fan of the illustrator, Ms. Frazee--who I've had the privilege of meeting.

She creates lush pages, splashed with color and life.

This would be a sweet present to find beneath the tree for most anyone.

YUMMY: EIGHT FAVORITE FAIRY TALES by Lucy Cousins/ Candlewick, 2009.

I'm a fairy tale fan from once upon a time, and this new collection--written and illustrated by Ms. Cousins--presents easy to read stories with bright, bold pictures sure to capture young readers' interest.

I shared this book with a second grade student, and he thoroughly enjoyed reading three of the eight tales--we ran out of time for more.

Too many young readers are not given adequate exposure to the richness and fun of classic fairy tales. Thanks, Ms. Cousins, for creating this wonderfully magic tale collection.

Reading with the children in your life is the best gift you can give them.

Have fun!

Turkey-Time Fun

noreply@blogger.com (Cynthia Reeg) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:40:00 +0000

Thanksgiving is almost here--fun with the family and lots of luscious food. But if you want to have some creative fun this Thanksgiving, here is a link to HIGHLIGHTS magazine. You'll learn how to make your very own TURKEY FINGER PUPPET.

You might want to make up your own Thanksgiving story to accompany your turkey--and perhaps you'll want to make additional finger puppet characters as well.

Or perhaps you'll want to use your turkey puppet to help tell what you're thankful for this year.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Illustrator Floyd Cooper in St. Charles

noreply@blogger.com (Cynthia Reeg) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 09:08:00 +0000

I had the great opportunity yesterday to see illustrator, Floyd Cooper, in action at the Missouri SCBWI conference in St. Charles. The award winning illustrator demonstrated his unique style of erasing--using a kneaded eraser to create the underpainting for his works of art. Somehow Mr. Cooper was able to create a quick portrait for us as he talked, the microphone in one hand and the eraser in the other, as he worked with the paper virtually upside down to his perspective. It was amazing, but then he is a Coretta Scott King Award winning illustrator.

He is the illustrator for MEET DANITRA BROWN by Nikki Grimes, whom I met a couple years ago at a writers' workshop. What an incredible combination of words and art!