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Borders Book Signing


14 authors and illustrators from Guardian Angel Publishing came together on Saturday at the South County Borders in St. Louis for a mega-event. What a fun celebration of children’s literature!

Thanks to publisher Lynda Burch for making it all happen. And thanks to all the amazing authors and illustrators who traveled from across the United States to “meet me in St. Louis.” It was great to get to know them and share our stories.

I’ll share more pictures of the two-day events, but for right now here is a picture of me with two of my Pet Grammar Parade books.

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Book Events


A number of Guardian Angel Publishing authors and illustrators will be in St. Louis today and tomorrow.
This afternoon from 1:00-4:00 pm, they will be hosting a series of activities at the Children’s Illustrated Art Museum in Crestwood Mall.
Tomorrow from 11:00-1:00, they will all be signing books at Borders at South County Mall.

Please stop by for a visit if you can.

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Game Day


I just discovered some very cool word games at Merriam-Webster’s Word Central. The games are specifically designed for kids with fun sounds and cool graphics.

In Alpha-Bot, a robot challenges you to a spelling contest.

In Robo-Bee, a bee sends you flying after just the right word–synonyms, antonyms, and more.

Bigbot involves hand-eye coordination as well as a good command of vocabulary, as you try to feed the ravenous robot.

And finally, my favorite game–JUMBLE KIDS. I tried to do my own version on July 27.
You’ll love the Merriam-Webster version. You earn puzzle points and play against the clock.
Don’t wait to explore the possibilities…

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Picture Adventure


Summer is already over for many students, but there is still time to enjoy the August HIGHLIGHTS Hidden Picture

This beachy scene will help children enjoy the sand, surf, and sun for perhaps one last time this year. What a great way to help expand your child’s vocabulary and reading skills, along with puzzle-solving practice.

Some suggestions for using the Hidden Picture:

For younger students
–look for the pictures that have “b” in them; or “s” or “p”, etc.
–have child write out each picture word he finds in the puzzle
–count the seashells in the picture
–discuss what is happening in the picture
–can the child explain how to build a sand castle?

For older students

–alphabetize all the hidden picture words
–have the child select 1-3 of the words and use them in a story
–have the child write the directions for building a sand castle
–have the child give the pictured children names and create a story about them
–can the child draw her own illustration with one or more hidden pictures?

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Raising a Reader


It is always a mission of mine to stress the importance of reading to, with, and by children to help them be successful in school and in life. RAISING A READER is a national nonprofit organization whose goal is the same, and it is meeting with great success in locations across the U. S.

One such location is the Seattle Public Library, where young readers experience the joys of reading and libraries.

My hat is off to Raising A Reader and all the libraries across the U.S. who have helped make summer reading possible for so many children!

Posted on by cindyindigo

Beezus and Ramona

For a limited time HarperCollins is providing BEEZUS AND RAMONA by Beverly Cleary free online. The story told from older sister Beezus’ viewpoint highlights the annoying antics of young Ramona.

I love the new illustrations as well by Tracy Dockray. The lively artwork brings this classic kids’ lit to life for another generation of young readers. And I predict once you’ve read one Beezus and Ramona book–just like eating potato chips–one will not be enough.

But rest assured, there are plenty more of Ms. Cleary’s books to enjoy. One of my favorites is DEAR MR. HENSHAW–about a troubled boy reaching out through a series of letters to his favorite author.

And please do read THE MOUSE AND THE MOTORCYCLE with adventurous Ralph the mouse and his notorious motorcyle.

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An Evening With Uri

Here is the link to an article I wrote on Uri Shulevitz, celebrated children’s author and illustrator.
The article, “An Evening with Uri,” is in the current online edition of MO SCRIBBLES, the Missouri Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators newsletter.
I hope you are able to enjoy at least a few of his picture books. You’ll be in for a treat.

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Puzzle Answer

Here is the answer to Tuesday’s puzzle–if you’ve not already figured it out.

The scrambled words were

dOg

NoUN

vErB

suMmER

When all the numbers from ONE to TEN had a race, Number SEVEN won. In the race she was NUMBER ONE.

Have a great weekend!

Posted on by cindyindigo

Summer Puzzle

Wow! This summer is zipping by. We’ve had special family celebrations, a bit of travel, some company, and lots of big summer projects. I’ll bet you’ve been up to fun stuff as well.

One of the great books I’ve read this summer is Jody Feldman’s THE SEVENTH LEVEL. The main character in the book, Travis, has to solve some tricky puzzles to reach the seventh level. I did pretty well as I tried to solve all of Travis’s puzzles along with him.

I’ve become hooked on the JUMBLES puzzles in our newspaper each day. The JUMBLES are mixed up letters in a word–much like the puzzles in each of my PET GRAMMAR PARADE books. But in the JUMBLES puzzles, you not only need to unscramble the letters. You must also use the circled letters to create the answer to a question.

Do you want to try one?

OK–1. Unscramble the letters in each of the four words below.
2. Use the circled letters from each of the four unscrambled words to form the answer to this riddle:

When all the numbers from ONE to TEN had a race, Number SEVEN won. In the race she was __ __ __ __ __ __
__ __ __.


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You Tell on You Tube


OK, I just saw this cool idea for a fun summer project for kids. Our local county library is sponsoring a video contest called Art@yourSt.LouisCountyLibrary.

What a great creative challenge for kids with some time on their hands. This is wonderful opportunity to tell a story–in a different format. Young script writers need to develop interesting characters, dialog, and plot–just as in a written story. But they also have the challenge of making it work on a visual level.

Are you up to the challenge? I hope so.
Even if you don’t enter this contest, challenge yourself to create an entertaining short video. Write an engaging script. Round-up some of your friends and family for cast. Find just the right props and settings. Then video tape it.

Finally, share your screen art with all the cast and crew–and be sure to pay them back with some popcorn and snacks at the premier showing.

Happy 4th of July, Everyone!!!