Posted on by cindyindigo

Books for Boys That Are Right on Target

As a former school librarian who worked valiantly to keep boys reading, I love this new website, James Patterson’s READKIDDOREAD.com 

Mr. Patterson has joined forces with librarians, editors, publishers, and business men and women “dedicated to get kids reading.” Judy Freeman aids Mr. Patterson in selecting a number of titles for boys (and girls) of all ages that will keep them turning the pages. The lists range from illustrated books to advanced chapter books for older readers.
Ms. Freeman offers an additional list of books for boys that are right on target. Her “Almost Can’t-Miss Sure Shot Books…for Boys” starts with one of my favorites when reading with my OASIS students, GOODNIGHT, GORILLA by Peggy Rathman. 
She includes book suggestions for older readers as well, such as THE BIG SPLASH by John D. Ferraiolo. Earlier this month at the Missouri SCBWI Conference, I had the privilege to hear a segment of this book read by Susan Van Metre, editorial director of Amulet Books, who was involved in the production of this book. I think both boys and girls will find this story fun.
Perhaps you have other books for boys (especially reluctant readers) that are winners every time. I’d love to hear about them.
Posted on by cindyindigo

Turkey Crafts and Reading Fun for Thanksgiving

HIGHLIGHTS magazine has tons of turkey fun for crafty kids this month. For a totally new approach, try making a turkey from a sea shell. And for more turkey crafts, click here.

In Christine Webster’s book, HOW TO DRAW THANKSGIVING SYMBOLS, she provides facts and step-by-step drawing instructions for turkeys and all the favorite Thanksgiving characters.
For a fun read this Thanksgiving, go to your library and check out Dav Pilkey’s TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE THANKSGIVING. And save some time to explore Dav Pilkey’s website and his Groovy Games.
I hope you can find some time this week to make your own special turkey crafts and enjoy Thanksgiving reading fun.
Gobble! Gobble!
Posted on by cindyindigo

Children’s Books on Their Way to the White House

Milton Terrace South Elementary School in New York state conducted their own election this month. Under the direction of their school media specialist, Susan Penney, the 3th, 4th, and 5th grade students in the gifted classes researched the current books in the White House library. They found very few for soon-to-be White House residents, Malia and Sasha Obama, President-elect Barack Obama’s two daughters.

Each grade at Milton Terrace South Elementary School nominated two of their favorite children’s books, and everyone in the school voted on the winning titles. 16 of the children’s books will soon be on their way to the White House. If you’d like to read more about the school’s literary voting, click on this link to SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL . 
CHARLOTTE’S WEB by E.B. White is one of the children’s books on their way to the White House. What would be your favorite book to send for Malia and Sasha to read?
If you want to find out more about the White House, go to www.WhiteHouse.gov and do some exploring of your own. 
Posted on by cindyindigo

National Gaming Day at Your Library

This Saturday libraries across the United States are sponsoring a NATIONAL GAMING DAY.  Of course, we all know how much fun it can be to visit a library on a regular day–with all the books, magazines, computers, videos.  Not to mention story times, book talks, and special programs.

NATIONAL GAMING DAY will be “the largest, simultaneous national video tournament ever held.” How cool is that? This could possibly make it into Ripley’s Believe It or Not, don’t you think?
And Hasbro has donated a PICTUREKA game to every public library branch in the U.S. so board games can be played as well. They’ll try to set a record for the most people playing a board game in the U.S. as well as a video game. It sounds like your local public library is the place to be this Saturday.
To find out more information about NATIONAL GAMING DAY at your library, call your closest branch. Or click on the link above and read all about it. There is an online map you can use as well.
If you can’t join in the fun on this Saturday (or if your library isn’t taking part in National Gaming Day), you can try The Library Camp Out game at my website.  Or the Breezy Geography Match Up game would be great one to take along to the library. And if you want to check out one of the coolest stories about gaming, try Jody Feldman’s THE

Here’s to good games and good reading!
Posted on by cindyindigo

Learn How to Draw a Cartoon


Thanks to artist (and author) KEVIN COLLIER, now you can learn to draw an animated cartoon in just 3 minutes! 

Yes, it’s true. Kevin shows you how at his YOUNG ARTIST WORKSHOP. Every week Kevin will add a new drawing video for you to try out. So far he has instructions for creating a mouse, a frog, a happy daisy, and more.
This week–using only 2 sheets of plain paper, Kevin helps you learn how to draw a cartoon boy. The newly created character goes from sleeping to waking in a flash.  What fun!
Kevin even shows you how to draw Dotty, the hippo, from Donna Shepherd’s new book, DOTTY’S TOPSY TALE.
Learn how to draw a cartoon and entertain your whole family. Plus, you can create your own tale to go along with it.
Posted on by cindyindigo

Tips for Writing Free Verse Poetry


I’ve been in a poetic frame of mind lately–partly due to my poem, “Reaching for the Stars” in this month’s HIGHLIGHTS magazine, but also because I’ve been working on a classroom project to help some 5th graders explore poetry.

“Reaching for the Stars” is written in Free Verse Poetry. This is one of the easiest types of poetry to write. Why?
                                                                                         
  • It sounds more like regular speech.
  • There is no set length to lines.
  • There is no rhyme or meter or counting of syllables.
  • It lends itself to any subject matter–serious or silly.

Tips for Writing Free Verse Poetry:

  • Remember to use rich words (juicy nouns, powerful verbs, original phrases)
  • Create unique similes and metaphors that make an instant connection with your readers
  • Appeal to all five senses
  • Orchestrate a lyrical flow to your poem with your word choices and placement
  • Speed it up or slow it down with the length of your lines and of your words
  • Use line breaks to punctuate your poem
  • Evoke a mood with your poem
  • Stop when you’re stuck. Take a walk, shoot some hoops, let your mind float free and that’s when you’ll discover just the word or the idea you needed.                                                 

One of my favorite poetry how-to books is from Scholastic publishers. It’s called HOW TO WRITE POETRY by Paul B. Janeczko. You can find this book at your independent bookstore or library. 

I hope these tips for writing Free Verse Poetry make you want to grab your pen and give it a try. 
                                                                             

Posted on by cindyindigo

A Presidential Book

Last night I stayed up to watch Barack Obama as he claimed his victory in the U. S. presidential race. I wanted to be a part of this important time in history. I was not disappointed. His speech was inspiring– hope-filled. A unifying speech for all of our people.

I had the great opportunity this June, while attending a writing workshop in Arkansas at Harding University, to meet Nikki Grimes and to see the galley version of a picture book biography that she had just completed. It was BARACK OBAMA: Son of Promise, Child of Hope. 
Ms. Grimes explained how she had been approached to write the book in a bit of a hurry–to be completed and ready for publication by September. She, of course, had many other works-in-progress demanding her time as well. Could she squeeze in one more book? A book that must be completed in three weeks time? 
Three weeks to research, write, edit, revise, and complete–in order to have the book submitted to the illustrator in time. 
Even though her other projects tugged her in the opposite direction, Ms. Grimes felt called to walk down President-elect Obama’s road. She would do the research. She would piece together word snapshots of his life, like a tenderly stitched quilt. She would help share his story with young readers, eager to learn of this remarkable man. I’m very glad she did.
Click on the link if you’d like to read Ms. Grimes’ tips for writing poetry.
Posted on by cindyindigo

Happy Halloween


Greetings to all ghouls and goblins!

I’m offering a sweet treat today–a coloring page 
dot-to-dot, courtesy of John Blackford.
Visit John’s blog, the Cartuneman’s Doodles, where you’ll find pictures of the Silver Star Ghoul Mine and more free coloring pages.
And don’t forget to visit KidLit Central for 13 spook-tacular suggestions for improving your writing. Plus, unmask the mystery authors for a chance to win great prizes. 
Hurry! These treats won’t last long.
Posted on by cindyindigo

HIGHLIGHTS and Halloween

One more note about my HIGHLIGHTS poem, “Reaching for the Stars”–

You can see and hear the poem online at HIGHLIGHTS Kids magazine. I hope you have a chance to explore all the other fun stuff they have there as well.
Now for a Halloween treat. Be sure to visit KidLit Central News blog on Halloween for a chance to win some spook-tacular prices.
Posted on by cindyindigo

HIGHLIGHTS Poem


It’s here! My poem, “Reaching for the Stars,” is on page 5 of the November issue of HIGHLIGHTS magazine. See–that’s me to the right, dancing for joy!

Melanie Hall created an enchanting illustration to help bring my words to life. Too cool! 

But don’t just take my word for it. Visit your local library or bookstore and see for yourself. And, of course, enjoy all the other great reading fun in the magazine as well.