In my ongoing effort to enhance my writing skills, I’ve been reading some grammatically-correct books and websites of late. Here’s a few suggestions for you, if you’re ready to face the rules:
Great Guide to Grammar (http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~jlynch/Writing/index.html) by Jack Lynch, an English professor at Rutgers University
Common Errors in English (http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/errors.html) by Paul Brians, an English professor at Washington State University
The Curious Case of the Misplaced Modifier: How to Solve the Mysteries of Weak Writing by Bonnie Trenga (http://www.fwbookstore.com/product/157/23)
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack…
You annoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Only goodness and love will pursue me all the days of my life;
I will dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come.
We wish her eternal blessed days…
I think Gifts from God was a very pretty book. The photography was good and the single line insets were thought provoking. I think it could be used as a book for the little one on you lap or for a class discussion.
Jo Ann Holdener, Librarian
St. Angela Merici School
Florissant, MO
The book is excellent. It is a wonderful simple story that will appeal to PreK–3rd… It can be a teaching tool for the middle grades in getting them to talk about other examples and life related actions and thoughts…It is a wonderful example for use with the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades in getting them to … write their own story.
Judy Migneco, School Librarian
St. Gabriel the Archangel School
St. Louis, MO
Emily Dickinson, as you can see from her writing, was on extremely familiar terms with Robins. Undoubtedly, she would have known about the Redbreast Convention held at my bird bath at 2:00 pm (CST) today. But, I assure you, no one informed me ahead of time. If I had been privy to this great gathering, I would have gladly displayed a big welcome sign, lettered with sunflower seeds pasted on with peanut butter. Wouldn’t that have made a tasty HELLO?
I was quite transfixed to see first two, then three, and soon a fourth stout-legged Robin gather round the bird bath rim and help themselves to any number of beaks-full of cool water. Since I myself am not fluent in Robin, I didn’t quite understand what items were on the agenda today, but I surmise it must have been something of great importance by the regal way they wiggled their throats with each precise swallow. And I could tell by their puffed-out chests and rich ruby vests that these were no less than dignitaries–top brass, I’m sure.
The meeting didn’t last long—but then birds are prone to be a bit flighty. Off they flew, flapping, dipping, zipping away. When an extremely tardy, lone Robin sauntered up to the bird bath more than 30 minutes late, I took comfort in knowing that I wasn’t the only one who’d not been notified of today’s prestigious Redbreast Convention.
Here’s another source for eager young writers: Stories for Children. http://storiesforchildren.tripod.com/id140.html
This online magazine is sponsoring a writing contest for both adults and youth. The deadline is fast approaching though, September 30. Follow the directions carefully. You need to base your story on the picture provided at the site.
But never fear if you can’t make this deadline because SFC publishes works of young writers (and adult writers as well) on a regular basis. Here’s the link for their submission information: http://storiesforchildren.tripod.com/id7.html
Here’s a great new place “where young authors and illustrators take off!” So says, the subtitle of one of the latest online children’s magazines, premiering with a January/February 2008 issue. http://www.launchpadmag.com/index.shtml
The magazine is accepting fiction, nonfiction, poetry, book reviews, and artwork from children between the ages of 6 and 12.
This sounds like a great opportunity for creative kids. 
Today I took a colorful stroll through another country with the help of a delightful picture book called, THE CAT WHO WALKED ACROSS FRANCE by Kate Banks and illustrated by Georg Hallensleben.
The poor little kitty is left an orphan and shipped from the palm tree lined shores of southern France to the gray city streets of northern France. Soon the kitty decides to walk back home, and the reader is given a leisurely, painterly look at the various locales he encounters along the way. The story itself is told in a soft, poetic style. And the illustrations are rich with color and intriguing brushstrokes–simple yet masterful.
So if you’re in the mood for a French voyage, this is just the book to take you there.
And my other great find today was Lois Lowry’s blog: http://loislowry.typepad.com/lowry_updates/
She offers writing words of wisdom. Who wouldn’t want to read the insights of such a gifted writer? What a delight!
