Category: picture books

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Doggie Day Camp — Going Beyond Reading



I’m very excited that Joy Delgado, author & publisher, chose DOGGIE DAY CAMP as her picture book of the week for her blog–GOING BEYOND READING. 

At her new blog, Ms. Delgado will present “books that show children in fun and subtle ways interesting and new (to them) facts. Books that go beyond being just a story. Books that, well, teach.”
Thanks for inviting Bubba and his friends to the BEYOND.
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Reading For All Ages


I’ve read some wonderful books of late and would like to share them with you.

The first is a young adult historical fiction novel titled, I AM REMBRANDT’S DAUGHTER by Lynn Cullen. (Bloomsbury, 2007) Cornelia van Rijn, Rembrandt’s illegitimate daughter, tells the story of her 16 years living with the famous creative genius. At the time of Cornelia’s birth in Amsterdam, however, Rembrandt had fallen out of favor with art patrons. The story recounts the struggles of the family, especially Cornelia’s search for her own identity and happiness amid the turmoil of poverty and the ever-present plague threat. Both romance and resilience play parts in this tender novel.
The second wonderful book is PSALMS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN by Marie-Helene Delval and illustrated by Arno. (Eerdmans, 2008) The title belies the fact that this beautiful book is a treat for all ages. 40 psalms are simplified for more easy reading and understanding. Arno follows this simplified approach with his colorful illustrations. The combination of text and pictures with the messages of love found in the psalms creates a truly powerful piece of literature. 
*For another example of introducing young children to Biblical verses, check out my book–GIFTS FROM GOD.
The third book is a picture book by one of my favorite children’s authors, Karen Hesse.  SPUDS (illustrated by Wendy Watson–Scholastic, 2008) tells the story of a poor rural family, three children and their hard-working mother. When the mother goes to work one night–leaving the eldest child, Maybelle–in charge. The narrator–the middle boy, Jack–relates their exploits when they decide to harvest left-over potatoes from a neighbor’s farm. They bundle up young brother, Eddie, pulling him in the old red wagon. They scramble in the dark to fill a bag full of potatoes, but when they return home they are in for a surprise. This is a touching story of a family working together to overcome their hardships. The illustrations evoke the 1930’s setting with sweet vignettes.
The weekend is almost here. I hope you get some extra reading time in–perhaps one of these great books would be the perfect treat.
Posted on by cindyindigo

A Free Book, A Contest, an Interview, & More


Jon Bard, Managing Editor at Children’s Book Insider, is offering a FREE e-book on writing for children. “Getting Started Writing Children’s Picture Books” is free at 

Children’s Writer magazine is sponsoring a contest for a fictional story or nonfiction article related to a holiday or season for children age 4. 125-words is the limit. They’d like to see less well-known holidays featured. And keep in mind that the story should appeal to the adults who will be reading it to the children as well. “Winners will be selected on age-appropriateness, use of language, clarity, originality, and the overall quality of writing.” Oct. 31 is the deadline. Visit Children’s Writer for more details.
Jessica Kennedy, the Differently-Abled Writer, has just posted a new interview with me. Visit her blog and take a peek.
And Just One More Book is starting its 3rd year highlighting children’s books. They provide a free online podcast celebrating children’s literature–without any advertisements! It’s a fun site to visit, and you can call in and be part of the show (1-206-350-6487.) What’s a favorite kid’s book you’d like to share?

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Book Signing in Kansas City

AN AWESOME ADVENTURE

What a fun morning I had in Leawood, Kansas on Saturday at the Barnes & Noble bookstore at 119th and Roe! Mary Katz, the Community Relations Manager, welcomed me warmly and put me center stage for a special Saturday morning storytime.

My local groupies included my brother Frank, my neice Amy and her daughter Avery. Here’s a picture of Avery saying “hello” to Bubba the dog from DOGGIE DAY CAMP.

And what a great audience I had to share Bubba’s adventures with. The children all puffed some silly snores just like Bubba. And howled a noisy song just like Bubba. And they played Bubba Says to learn about verbs and adverbs. It was an incredible adventure all around.

Bubba and I were asked to come back again. We can’t wait!

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Website Updates

Lots of cool stuff has been added to my website this week. I hope you have time to explore.

For Kids: Get entangled in spidery fun with all these activities–

And for more adventures try these–

Last but not least, don’t skip this feature article on a great inventor and true nature lover–

Books: Make sure to watch DOGGIE DAY CAMP’s super book trailer created by Kim McDougall and read all about this new addition to the Pet Grammar Parade series.

Plus, find out about the soon-to-be-released middle grade book, THE GIRLS, an anthology from Blooming Tree Press with my story, “The Emily Explosion,” coming very soon.

For Teachers and Parents: More ways to be environmentally friendly in your daily lives–

and be sure to visit Natalie Rompella’s website and blog where she has all sorts of green information

Tips for Writers: Don’t miss this long list of industry updates–

I hope you have a wonderful time with these end-of-summer treats. Let me know which ones you liked best.

Posted on by cindyindigo

Take Root and Write

Heidi Strawser, an E-book reviewer for the Schoolhouse Store and a Marketing Assistant for Old Schoolhouse magazine and a homeschooling mom, had this to say about DOGGIE DAY CAMP at Take Root and Write– Reviews by, Heidi:

Doggie Day Camp: Verb and Adverb Adventures is part of a series of books that Cynthia is writing called “Pet Grammar Parade”. This book not only contains a cute little story about a dog named Bubba, but it’s also a very educational book. As a homeschooling mother, these are the types of books I enjoy!
At the beginning of Doggy Day Camp, Cynthia explains what verbs and adverbs are. Verbs are explained in blue and adverbs in red. Then, throughout the book, every time a verb or adverb is used, it is written in that same color, for easy recognition and identification. Kids won’t even realize that they are learning, but their brain will be putting the colors together with the parts of speech, and they’ll be learning in a fun way!
After the story, there is more explanation (a “study guide”) on verbs and adverbs and their usage.The book also contains 6 worksheet-style activities (such as word search, fill-in-the-blank, and scrambled words). And, the best part for parents – the answer key!

To read all of the review, click here.

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DOGGIE DAY CAMP Is Here!

I am very happy to announce that DOGGIE DAY CAMP: VERB AND ADVERB ADVENTURES is now available from Guardian Angel Publishing. The picture book and grammar skills aid is already receiving two paws up from reviewers:

Doggie Day Camp: Verb and Adverb Adventures is a delightful read. Kit Grady’s illustrations provide perfect visuals for the adventures of a pup named Bubba. However, author Cynthia Reeg has nudged the reader to another level—one of learning! This author and illustrator have teamed up to present an abstract lesson in a concrete AND entertaining format. The activities at the end are the icing on the cake. This book, along with Kitty Kerplunking:Preposition Fun (also by Reeg), would be a welcome introduction to a unit on parts of speech for any classroom teacher, tutor, or home school instructor. It would also captivate any child’s attention simply as a fun read! —Jan Norton; Special Education Teacher; Seckman Elementary; Arnold, MO

In Doggie Day Camp: Verb and Adverb Adventures, author Cynthia Reeg entertains children with the story of Bubba the dog and successfully introduces verbs and adverbs to young readers. Children will connect with the delightful, yet, easy to read story of a shy dog left at day camp for the very first time. As readers follow Bubba through “tugging games” and “tasty treats,” Reeg identifies verbs and adverbs in red and blue print. She follows this k-9 tale with a useful study guide and activities using verbs and adverbs. 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.
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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.

Posted on by cindyindigo

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/.