Author: cindyindigo

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WRITING and READING


Nancy I. Sanders has a lovely weekly blog with inspiration for writers (or anyone.) Her blog combines a prayer and a photograph. It’s a wonderful way to take a time out from a hectic week for a bit of contemplation.  

Oprah now provides a reading list for children. The list breaks down the suggested book titles into age groups to help make selection even easier. This is a perfect plan to use when your child says, “but there is nothing good to read.” Now you have some ready suggestions at hand. 
And don’t forget online magazines for children as well–like Stories for Children Magazine and Launch Pad and My Light Magazine.
Stanley Bookman (above) by artist, Kevin Collier, says, “Happy Reading!”
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LIBRARIES Lead the Way to Fun and Education

Libraries Are the Popular Place To Be

More than 1.3 billion library visits were recorded in the last year, according to the American Library Association’s newsletter of August 28. The leading cause for this increased use is the declining economy. While the poor economic state is not good news, it is good news to see Americans making use of the great services and products which public libraries provide.
 
If you haven’t visited your library for a while, now is the time. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to see what a wide variety of materials and services they have available. With the new school year just under way, you’ll be happy to hear that more than 83% of the libraries offer online homework resources as well as live tutors. Now that’s something to smile about. 
A couple other fun and educational places for students are AskKids.com and Merriam-Webster’s WordCentral.com.
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K9 Splash

Dogs galore raced to our local public pool today for their chance to enjoy the water and each other’s company. My dog Holly (the cute white one, of course) is not too much of a water sport, but she does like to hang out with her canine friends. Although Holly was one of the smaller pooches at the pool, she mingled with the big and furry guys pretty well. After an initial period of scoping out the entire area–including the marked off kiddie playground whose barricades were much too high to keep out a short schnoodle, Holly ran circles around some of the large dogs. You can see how fast she is. I couldn’t keep her in my camera shots.
What a great way to close down the pool for the summer! Going to the dogs isn’t always such a bad thing.
If you’d like to share in another doggie adventure, you can find Bubba–from DOGGIE DAY CAMP–and me this Saturday at Fenton, Missouri for Founders Day. I will be joining other local authors at the Fenton Historical Society and Museum from 2-3:30 (#1 Church Street). I’m sure it will be a splashing fun day too.
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Potpourri

Today’s blog is a potpourri of cool stuff.

First off, Kevin Scott Collier (Guardian Angel Publishing illustrator) will soon start filming a new 30 minute show (DRAWING FOR KICKS) on the KICKS TV. Kevin will help teach kids how to draw. He’ll get some help from his son Jarod too. For more information, click on the link above.
If you’re a kid who likes to draw, check out some of the links on my website for places to submit your artwork. Activity TV.com is a place with online drawing tips for kids. And Launchpadmag.com is another place to submit student artwork.

Lynda Burch is the publisher at Guardian Angel Publishing. She’s an extremely interesting person. To find out more about her and how Guardian Angel Publishing works, visit Mayra’s Secret Bookcase for an interview with Lynda.
For writers, Lynda provides contest information. And for young writers, Kim Chatel currently has a contest for you. Click on Kim’s name above to find out more. Check my website for other writing sites for kids too. (Be a News Reporter , Limericks, Cool Links)
Anastasia Suen is offering a new online writing class for adults. The picture book writing class starts September 1 and lasts until September 26. The first class emails go out this Friday, August 29. So if you’re interested, don’t delay. Visit Anastasia’s website. She’s a great teacher–I’ve taken two of her classes myself. And if this class won’t work for you, don’t worry. She’s offers many other options as well.
Another great review for DOGGIE DAY CAMP has just been posted on Amazon.com by Suzanne Lieurance. Or you can visit The National Writing for Children Center where Suzanne offers classes and find the review and the book trailer posted. Plus, you can find information on the classes Suzanne offers for children’s authors.
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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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KITTY KERPLUNKING on You Tube

Talented Kim McDougall has created a fun book trailer for KITTY KERPLUNKING: PREPOSITION FUN. You can take a look here.
And while you’re at You Tube, search for more of Kim’s wonderful book trailers.
Congratulations to fellow Guardian Angel Publishing author, Kevin Scott Collier! Kevin is preparing for his own television show, Drawing for KICKS, on KICKS Club TV–it will air this fall.
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DOGGIE DAY CAMP = Grammar Fun

Another 2 paws up review!
Wayne S. Walker, a reviewer at Stories for Children Magazine, gave DOGGIE DAY CAMP: VERB AND ADVERB ADVENTURES a wonderful evaluation:
Bubba the dog is attending his first day at doggie day camp, but he is shy. However, he slowly becomes interested and makes new friends as he engages in the various activities. In addition, he helps to teach readers (or listeners) about verbs and adverbs as well. This book is one of the pet grammar parade series. What a unique idea! As a book reviewer who has had to wade through some really bad grammar because many authors (and apparently some editors) do not know the ins and outs of the English language, I firmly believe that children need to be taught proper English grammar.

Studies show that beginning formal grammar studies for students under third or fourth grade can be counterproductive, but grammar concepts can still be gradually introduced to younger children if done gently. Story books such as this are a wonderful way to do so. There is an introduction that explains what verbs and adverbs are. At the end, there is a study guide that gives further information about verbs and adverbs and contains several fun activities for children that will help to reinforce what they have learned. I would hope that books like this will find a ready audience. They are sorely needed! I really like this idea.

Thank you, Mr. Walker! Bubba and I greatly appreciate your kind words in praise of DOGGIE DAY CAMP. To read more reviews, click here.

And remember, this Saturday morning (August 23) Bubba and I will be at the Leawood, Kansas Barnes and Noble store at 11:00 for storytime. I hope to see some of you there.
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Brilliante Weblog Premio Award

Exciting news today…

Jennifer Gladen nominated my blog for the BRILLIANTE WEBLOG PREMIO AWARD!

Thanks, Jennifer!

Now it’s my turn to nominate some wonderful blogs. Here are my nominees:’

That Girly Girl’s Journal– BLAH, BLAH, BLAH: a heaping helping of sassy, a small side of sweet will entertain, enlighten, and delight as she shares her everyday journey on the way to writer stardom.

In Jody’s Live Journal entries she treats you to the inside scoop on her writer’s journey–which is especially exciting with the release of her new book, The GollyWhopper Games, an amazing adventure story. Don’t miss the chance to peek over her shoulder as reveals her secrets.

On Kevin’s blog you’ll discover one of the most amazing guys I know–an illustrator/writer that knows no limits when it comes to creativity, work stamina, and niceness. He’s always ready to lend a helping hand to others on their literary journeys. Now he’s preparing for his own TV show!

Her BLOG CENTRAL contains links to Book of the Week, Children’s Book Biz News, Picture Book of the Day, and links to other blogs she likes to read. Anastasia provides an amazing wealth of writerly material. And you can sign up to receive her blogs fresh in your mail box 5 days of the week–for free. What a deal!

At the MUSE UNLEASHED, Lea provides an open forum for writers to post their news, their insights, and their concerns. She has created a wonderful support network for writers spanning the globe. She also offers some great freebies!

I’m sure you’ll enjoy visiting these blogs. So grab a cup of your favorite beverage–and maybe a few chocolates as well–sit down and put your feet up for a while.

*****

Rules for next recipients of the Brilliante Weblog Premio are as follows:

1. The award may be displayed on a winner’s blog.
2. Add a link to the person you received the award from.
3. Nominate up to seven other blogs.
4. Add their links to your blog.
5. Add a message to each person that you have passed the award on in the comments section of their blog.

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Little House on the Prairie

I didn’t get the chance to tell you yet about a fun event I attended with my son, Matt, and husband Rob two weeks ago in Minneapolis–the world premiere of LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, the musical. It was extremely entertaining with heartfelt songs and a vision of wide open spaces, even within the confines of the Guthrie stage.

Melissa Gilbert, the original Laura on the TV series, now plays mom Caroline. Kara Lindsay, who plays Laura Ingalls on stage, has a rich voice and offers a spirited performance. This production certainly made my list of summer highlights. The run in Minneapolis has already been extended–and perhaps it will continue on from there to other spots in the U.S. close to you.
If you haven’t read any of the Little House historical fiction books, now would be a great time to treat yourself. Of course, Little House on the Prairie is my favorite because it’s set on the prairie of my native Kansas–and I’ll always be a prairie girl at heart. So I’m re-reading it (again.)
Which Little House book is your favorite???
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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.