Tag: children’s literature

Posted on by Cynthia Reeg

THE LAST GREAT ADVENTURE OF THE PB & J SOCIETY

A Middle Grade Treasure Hunt

THE LAST GREAT ADVENTURE OF THE PB & J SOCIETY by Janet Sumner Johnson

Capstone Press, Debuting April 1, 2016

Fourth graders Jason and Annie, friends and neighbors since forever, receive a surprise pirate treasure map from Mrs. Schuster, the old lady next door—a grump who’s trying to reform. With Jason’s out-of-work father creating an economic disaster for his family, the two friends start scrambling for plans on how to save Jason’s family from moving. Annie believes in finding the treasure. Jason is more intent on finding his dad a job. Either way it’s a job for the PB & J Society for sure. Things continue to become complicated when treasure hunting goes wrong and even the back-up plans need re-planning. Add to all that, a mix-up on Annie’s home front when her mom returns to work and her dad stays at home. At least Mrs. Schuster’s reform stays on track with her befriending Jason and Annie, but the pirate stories she tells become stranger and stranger with no treasure in sight. This is a delightful and entertaining middle grade read with adorable main characters to root for and a sweet message of finding hidden treasure in those around us.

 

 

Posted on by Cynthia Reeg

Monster Writing Prompts: Part 2

 

 

 

Creating MONSTER CHARACTERS: Appearance

For the month of January, I’ll post some pointers on Creating Your Own Monster Characters. Be sure to come back next week for another quick writing tip, courtesy of  FROM THE GRAVE (Book 1 of the MONSTER OR DIE trilogy, from Jolly Fish Press, coming October 18, 2016)

from-the-grave

Monsters consider their ultimate job is to scare the socks off humans. They want to keep humans living in terror, always wondering when the next attack might be. Humans are forever dreading dark corners, listening for stealthy footfalls and grumbly growls, keen to the scent of unwashed monster fur. It is extremely important for monsters to look (and smell) the part.

 

For example, they might be green and gruesome, or have wild hair, long claws, sharp teeth, or perhaps lumpy orange skin with warts galore, a shock of purple hair, and some serious B.O.

 

However, in FROM THE GRAVE, many of the misfit monsters don’t look or act like monsters at all. That leads to big trouble for them.

 

What does the monster(s) in your story look like?

 

 

Sometimes it helps me to look for pictures or draw a picture of one of my characters. Seeing your monster will aid in bringing him/her to life! Go ahead–I dare you! Create monster characters that will scare your own socks off. 🙂

If you want to try drawing your monster (as well as describing it), check out this step-by-step lesson on creating a creepy (but fun) monster.

http://www.my-how-to-draw.com/how-to-draw-monsters.html

 

Or visit your local library and find books on drawing monsters there. Here are a few I found at my library!

IMG_1818

Several pictures in the Lee J. Ames books helped me bring to life characters. Like this rendition that I did for the evil school principal in FROM THE GRAVE.

FullSizeRender    I’d love to see some of your monster drawings!

 

 

Posted on by Cynthia Reeg

R.L. STINE and MARC BROWN CREATE NEW MONSTERS

Monstrous Fun

On Friday night I had the privilege to attend the Premier Event at the St. Louis County Library Headquarters, featuring R.L. Stine and Marc Brown. R.L. Stine is famous for his spooky adventure series GOOSEBUMPS. While author and artist Marc Brown is equally well known for his ARTHUR ADVENTURE books and delightful PBS television series ARTHUR.

Brown&Stine1

Leave it up to these two amazing literary sensations to combine talents and produce a frightfully fun picture book for young readers, THE LITTLE SHOP OF MONSTERS. The two friends explained the beginning of their teamwork. “We should do a book together,” Marc Brown said he had suggested a few years ago. R.L. Stine countered that comment with, “I think Marc had this inner monster waiting to get out.”

Picture Book Writing Isn’t Easy

R.L. Stine told the large audience that writing a picture book was hard work. He wrote and rewrote it—six times. Then he sent a text copy to his friend and Marc proceeded to draw right on the text! Here is a picture of one of the preliminary illustrations.

Brown:Stine&Text2

Mr. Stine said that he enjoys writing “scary and funny” stories. He’s excited about the upcoming Goosebumps movie (October 16) starring Jack Black as R.L. Stine himself.

JackBlack:Monsters

 

Big Ideas

Mr. Brown described a turning point in his youth when he read his kid sister’s book, WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE, and realized just how powerful pictures could be in helping tell a story. Back then, he was “a little kid with big ideas.” Those ideas eventually included creating the Arthur characters based on children and adults from his real life. His latest book is MONKEY NOT READY FOR KINDERGARTEN

 

BrownClass

The authors’ parting words for the evening were, “Life is short. Read great books!”BookPlate1