Our mission is to encourage a love of reading in children and re-ignite the love in you. "There is no such thing as a child who hates to read; there are only children who have not found the right book." Frank Serafini
Showing posts with label picture book. Show all posts
Showing posts with label picture book. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Interview with Author Melanie Milburn of I Love You More Than Chocolate
About Melanie
Melanie is a gifted musician, award winning songwriter and a dedicated preschool teacher. Her children’s concerts are fun with music that is jazzy and entertaining. The lyrics are inviting and relate to the everyday experiences of a young child. You will find yourself humming, tapping and clapping right along with your little ones as Melanie shares her children’s songs.
Melanie’s family concerts will touch your heart in many ways. Her original songs are about real life experiences such as letting go of your children, healing from a miscarriage and falling in love with Jesus. Her songs will make you laugh and cry.
When not writing songs, performing concerts or teaching preschool, Melanie can be found living in beautiful Durango, Colorado with love of her life, her husband, Joe.
What do you hope your book, I Love You More Than Chocolate, will impart to children?
I believe ALL children have the right to feel loved. I also believe it is impossible to overdo it when telling a child they are loved. I hope this book will remind ALL children they are special and loved. If a child feels loved by reading/singing this book, then I have made a difference in the life of a child.
What are you working on now?
I am presently working on 2 more children’s books. Both of the books were originally songs, just like “I Love You More Than Chocolate”. One is about using your imagination and the other is a true story about a little boy who spent a lot of time in the time out chair at preschool, and how I think he felt about it. It is called the “Time Out Chair Blues”.
What do you do in your spare time when you’re not writing?
Spare time? What is that? In my spare time, I love taking long walks with my husband, Joe, while exploring God’s beauty here in Durango, Colorado.
Who was your favorite author when you were young?
I loved Frances Hodgson Burnett! “The Secret Garden”, and “The Little Princess”, were my two favorite books growing up.
Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?
Write about what you know; write about what you have experienced’ and write about what you are passionate about.
Describe yourself in 5 words
Compassionate, sensitive, energetic, spontaneous, and playful!
If you weren’t a writer, what would you be?
I love my job as a preschool teacher, and I love children. I am also a singer/songwriter and my job allows me to use my love of music while teaching children through songs and movements. I guess if I HAD to choose another career it would be the lead singer in a rock and roll band!
If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Tim Tebow. I am a huge Denver Bronco fan. Tim Tebow is the quarterback for the Denver Broncos. He has taken so much criticism and yet he always responds with nothing but integrity and class. I would love to know how he has learned (at such a young age) to handle all that pressure so graciously.
Where can people buy your books?
My books can be purchased on amazon.com, on my web site, www.melaniemilburn.com, Maria’s bookstore, in Durango, Colorado and from me!
Do you have a web page or fan page?
Yes, I have a web site. It is www.melaniemilburn.comAnything else you would like to share?
I also hope this book will help parents put life in perspective. We all have the tendency to get so busy with life that we forget to slow down and make sure our children know how special they are and how much we love them. Children need to hear that they are loved. Parents, cherish your time with your little ones. They grow up so fast.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Interview with Jennifer Wallis author of Adventures with Scarlet the Dolphin: Green Sea Turtles
Tell us a bit about yourself.I have been married for almost 8 years. I have 2 daughters, a 4-year-old, Addie and a 2-year-old Faith. I work part time as a school social worker and also teach adjunct at a few local universities.
Tell us 3 interesting/crazy things about you?
1. When I was 19, I went on a family vacation and had a dolphin encounter with a dolphin named Scarlet.
2. It is my goal to travel to each state at least once during my lifetime.
3. It was my goal last year to read at least 18 books, I ended up reading 33!
I have always been interested in sea life and love dolphins so I decided to make learning about sea life fun for children. Plus, I wanted to teach my own daughters to follow their dreams and nothing has made me happier than reading my own book to them.
In this book, it is my hope they learn all about Green Sea Turtles. For the series, it is my hope for children to learn about all the different animals in the sea.
Do you have any other books you are working on? If so give us a sneak peek.
The second book in the series, pending publication, will be Adventures with Scarlet the Dolphin: California Sea Lions. And in this book Hailey and Scarlet will go to San Fransico to learn all about California Sea Lions.
How old were you when you began to write stories?
I came up with this idea years ago, but did not start writing until I was 29 years old.
What are your favorite children's authors/books?
As a school social worker, one of my favorites is Cheri Meiners. I also really like Eric Carle, but I do love all children's books and have quite a collection at home.
What advice would you give other aspiring writers?
Never give up on your dreams!
What question have you always wanted to be asked in an interview? How would you answer that question?
What makes you the proudest?
I have had a lot of accomplishments over the years, however nothing makes me prouder than being a mommy to Addie and Faith. They are truly the most amazing children and always bring a smile to my face. They are the greatest gifts I could have ever asked for.
What do you do in your spare time when you’re not writing?
Spare time, what's that!!! In my spare time I enjoy reading and traveling.
What has been an obstacle in your writing career?
Finding time to write, and to find the courage to send it off to a publisher. I wrote this book 2 years ago and it sat on my computer. During the summer of 2011, I finally did some resreach on different publishing companies and picked one to send it to as a trial run. I was fortunate that the first person I sent it to liked it and wanted to publish it.
Anything else you would like to share?
I want to thank everyone for all their support on this remarkable journey. This has been a dream come true.
Where can we buy your books? Do you have a web page or fan page?
You can buy the book on www.amazon.com and at www.barnesandnoble.com
The website is: http://www.scarletthedolphin.com/ You can also follow Jennifer at Twitter or FaceBook
Click here to read Scarlet the Dolphin Book Reviewl
Monday, December 12, 2011
Interview with Sherrill Cannon, author of Santa’s Birthday Gift
Tell us about yourself:
I am a mother of four and a grandmother of nine. I have written three published award-winning children’s books, as well as four published musical plays for elementary school children. I will have a fourth children’s book released in early 2012. A former teacher, I have had varied careers including Varsity Coach, professional Newspaper Sports Photographer and Columnist, Dinner Theatre Company Stage Manager, Talent Manager, and Business Administrator. My husband and I celebrated our 51th wedding anniversary in June! We are now retired, and we travel in our RV from the east coast to the west coast each year to spend time with our children and grandchildren... sharing my books along the way!
Tell us 3 interesting/crazy things about you:
1. I grew up (from 6-16) in the Willard Hotel in Washington DC, where my father was the manager.
2. In 2011, I have been fortunate enough to win seven awards for my three picture books.
a. The Magic Word: Readers Favorite Gold Medal Award,
NABE Pinnacle Achievement Award
Global eBook Finalist Award.
b. Santa’s Birthday Gift: Readers Favorite Silver Medal Award
National Indie Excellence Finalist Award
c. Peter and the Whimper-Whineys Readers Favorite Bronze Medal Award
USA Best Books Finalist Award
3. I sometimes think in rhyme.
What inspired you to write the book(s)?
Santa’s Birthday Gift was in response to my granddaughter’s question, after I read her the story of the Nativity. She asked, “But where’s Santa?” (ISBN 978-1-60860-824-9)
Peter and the Whimper-Whineys was a story that my mother told me as a child, and shared with my children and grandchildren as well as numerous elementary school students in her long career as a substitute teacher. With her blessing, I put it into rhyme. (ISBN 978-1-60911-517-3)
“What’s The Magic Word?” is something I always ask, whenever my children and grandchildren ask for anything without saying “Please”. The book focuses on having consideration for others and trying to live the Golden Rule. (ISBN 978-1-60976-909-3)
What are your favorite children's authors/books?
Dr. Seuss and Shel Silverstein, since all of my books are written in rhyme and meter. I love poetry, and the music and rhythm of words.
What advice would you give other young aspiring writers?
Find your niche in the writing world, and then concentrate there for submissions as well as for marketing after publication. Send out query letters to traditional publishers, but don’t be afraid to explore the world of self-publishing or “help-publishing” as I refer to my publisher Strategic Book Group. I have been very happy there. It’s hard to break into the traditional publishing world without an agent (who isn’t interested in you if you’re not published) so I have been happy to put my faith in my writing and let the public decide whether or not they like my work.
What are you working on now?
My next rhyming children’s book, Gimme-Jimmy, is now in illustration and should be released early in 2012. It’s another book about manners and coping with bullies – only in this case it’s the bully who has a problem!
What do you hope your books will impart to children?
Consideration for others and good manners – thoughtfulness – the Golden Rule as in “try to treat others the way you would like” (from The Magic Word) – all are at the heart of my books. I guess once a teacher, always a teacher; since I try to teach good manners, disguised as fun stories!
What obstacles have you experienced in your writing journey?
I have been writing all of my life, but my main obstacle has been lack of time – as it is for most authors who also have a day-job, not to mention child-care! Now that I’m retired, I have been able to submit my manuscripts, and also have more time to market them (which is the other half of being an author!)
Where can people buy your books/.Do you have a web page or fan page?
My books (which are all also eBooks) are available at most online stores including amazon.com and bn.com. They are also featured at Red Room: http://www.redroom.com/author/sherrill-s-cannon and there are signed books available at http://tinyurl.com/Signed-by-Sherrill as well as on eBay.
Peter and the Whimper-Whineys is also an iTunes App: http://itunes.apple.com/tw/app/id458319657?mt=8
Thursday, December 8, 2011
"I Love You Better Than Chocolate Chip Cookies" by Donalisa Helsley Sneak Peek
Teaser:
How much do you love chocolate chip cookies? I love them a lot, but there is something I love even better! I Love You Better Than Chocolate Chip Cookies is an entertaining book that teaches what should really take first place in our hearts.
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