"People aren’t born creative. They don’t learn to be creative. They just keep practicing being creative every day."
Monday, March 31, 2014
Friday, March 28, 2014
Miracles on Maple Hill
In lieu of Perfect Picture Book Friday, here is a Middle Grade classic.
Miracles on Maple Hill
Written by Virginia Sorensen
Harcourt, 1956
Fiction, ages 10 and up
180 pages
Winner of the Newbery Medal in 1957, Miracles on Maple Hill is a family feel-good novel. It tells the story of Marly, whose family is falling apart when her dad returns from the service with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Marly and her brother learn to adapt to their new surroundings over the backdrop of sugaring season, with the help of their unusual community of neighbors.
Although I love the more recent cover by Kevin Hawkes, the original illustrators were kidlit legends Beth and Joe Krush.
Bonus:
1. Read other Newbery novels at ALA.
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| Cover art by Kevin Hawkes |
Written by Virginia Sorensen
Harcourt, 1956
Fiction, ages 10 and up
180 pages
Winner of the Newbery Medal in 1957, Miracles on Maple Hill is a family feel-good novel. It tells the story of Marly, whose family is falling apart when her dad returns from the service with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Marly and her brother learn to adapt to their new surroundings over the backdrop of sugaring season, with the help of their unusual community of neighbors.
Although I love the more recent cover by Kevin Hawkes, the original illustrators were kidlit legends Beth and Joe Krush.
Bonus:
1. Read other Newbery novels at ALA.
2. Learn more about maple syrup or visit a farm like Madava to watch the process first-hand.
3. Prepare some scratch pancakes and order authentic syrup from Paul Bunyan's Sugar Camp to celebrate the season.
4. Explore the stresses faced by veterans. Visit a VA hospital or organize a service project. Support our troops, and give them your gratitude.
5. Visit a modern farm or petting zoo complete with baby goats.
6. I highly recommend the Full-Cast Audio edition for long car trips.
7. Visit the author's birthplace and exhibit at the Hurry Hill Maple Farm Museum.
8. If you enjoyed this book, here are a few more you might enjoy about Sugaring from Naturally Educational. Or try these favorites.
Perfect Picture Book Friday will return on April 4, 2014. Please hop to Susanna Leonard Hill's blog to read the finalists for the March Madness Fractured fairy tale contest or check last Thursday's post for my entry, Goldie and the Three Squirrels. Voting begins today.
3. Prepare some scratch pancakes and order authentic syrup from Paul Bunyan's Sugar Camp to celebrate the season.
4. Explore the stresses faced by veterans. Visit a VA hospital or organize a service project. Support our troops, and give them your gratitude.
5. Visit a modern farm or petting zoo complete with baby goats.
6. I highly recommend the Full-Cast Audio edition for long car trips.
7. Visit the author's birthplace and exhibit at the Hurry Hill Maple Farm Museum.
8. If you enjoyed this book, here are a few more you might enjoy about Sugaring from Naturally Educational. Or try these favorites.
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| YA about PTSD |
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| strong sense of place |
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| PB legend |
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| PB classic on farm life |
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| By the same author |
Perfect Picture Book Friday will return on April 4, 2014. Please hop to Susanna Leonard Hill's blog to read the finalists for the March Madness Fractured fairy tale contest or check last Thursday's post for my entry, Goldie and the Three Squirrels. Voting begins today.
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Monday, March 24, 2014
Maximum Effort
"If you can’t excel with talent, triumph with effort."
- Dave Weinbaum
- Dave Weinbaum
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| Bookplate by Gadso Weiland |
Friday, March 21, 2014
Rain Is Not My Indian Name
Since there are no Perfect Picture Book Friday reviews today, I thought I'd share a Middle Grade book instead.
Rain Is Not My Indian Name
Written by Cynthia Leitich Smith
HarperCollins, 2001
Fiction, ages 10 and up
144 pages
This book was very well written in an authentic voice. Generally teenage angst is not a subject I would rate highly, but Cynthia Leitich Smith has created a compelling glimpse into her character's life. The main character and her world may not be in the realm of many readers' experience, but the writing draws you in, and makes you believe in this girl, sympathize with her, want to know where her journey ends. Thought-provoking and fresh, Rain is Not My Indian Name is high on my list of choices for reluctant readers from middle grade up. One should note there are topics discussed in this book which may be mature for younger readers, but they are handled thoughtfully and with appropriate language.
Bonus:
1. Take a group of teens on a photo scavenger hunt. Make a list of places and objects to photograph or compose a list of crazy stunts like posing your group making faces with a stranger, jumping in the air simultaneously, or all blowing bubbles at the same time (bonus points for taking the shot through a window or in a mirror).
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| Excellent audio edition of Rain Is Not My Indian Name available from Listening Library/Random House Audio narrated by Jenna Lamia |
Written by Cynthia Leitich Smith
HarperCollins, 2001
Fiction, ages 10 and up
144 pages
This book was very well written in an authentic voice. Generally teenage angst is not a subject I would rate highly, but Cynthia Leitich Smith has created a compelling glimpse into her character's life. The main character and her world may not be in the realm of many readers' experience, but the writing draws you in, and makes you believe in this girl, sympathize with her, want to know where her journey ends. Thought-provoking and fresh, Rain is Not My Indian Name is high on my list of choices for reluctant readers from middle grade up. One should note there are topics discussed in this book which may be mature for younger readers, but they are handled thoughtfully and with appropriate language.
Bonus:
1. Take a group of teens on a photo scavenger hunt. Make a list of places and objects to photograph or compose a list of crazy stunts like posing your group making faces with a stranger, jumping in the air simultaneously, or all blowing bubbles at the same time (bonus points for taking the shot through a window or in a mirror).
2. Improve your teen's digital photography skills with tips from the Digital Photography School.
3. Subscribe to a photography newsletter for teens.
4. TeenInk publishes articles, photographs, and videos exclusively by young people.
5. Learn more about bridge-building competitions. University of Minnesota Duluth
6. Discover your heritage at the National Archives.
7. Learn how to research your American Indian* roots step-by-step.
8. If you enjoyed this book, here are a few more you might enjoy.
Stay tuned next Friday for another review of books for older readers. Perfect Picture Book Friday will return on April 4, 2014. Please hop to Susanna Leonard Hill's blog to read the entries for the March Madness Fractured fairy tale contest or check Thursday's post for my entry, Goldie and the Three Squirrels. Voting begins next week.
*I use the term American Indian, because one of the elders of the tribe I stayed with several summers ago took offense to the term Native American. He asked me to say Indian or American Indian when referring to his people.
3. Subscribe to a photography newsletter for teens.
4. TeenInk publishes articles, photographs, and videos exclusively by young people.
5. Learn more about bridge-building competitions. University of Minnesota Duluth
6. Discover your heritage at the National Archives.
7. Learn how to research your American Indian* roots step-by-step.
8. If you enjoyed this book, here are a few more you might enjoy.
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| Indian Shoes, by Cynthia Leitich Smith |
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| Walk Two Moons, by Sharon Creech |
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| Journey, by Pat MacLachlan |
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| Disappearing Act, by Sid Fleischman |
Stay tuned next Friday for another review of books for older readers. Perfect Picture Book Friday will return on April 4, 2014. Please hop to Susanna Leonard Hill's blog to read the entries for the March Madness Fractured fairy tale contest or check Thursday's post for my entry, Goldie and the Three Squirrels. Voting begins next week.
*I use the term American Indian, because one of the elders of the tribe I stayed with several summers ago took offense to the term Native American. He asked me to say Indian or American Indian when referring to his people.
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Fractured Fairy Tale Contest Entry
It's time again for Susanna Leonard Hill's spring contest.
Welcome to the March Madness Contest. Below is my entry for the twisted traditional tale in under 400 words (395 to be exact.)
Without further ado, I present
GOLDIE AND THE THREE SQUIRRELS
Once upon a time, a little girl
named Goldie discovered a little cottage in the woods. The cottage was, in
fact, so little that Goldie decided to take it home with her. “C’mon,” she said
to her doll, “this will be the perfect house for you and Teddy.” Without
another word, Goldie scooped up the cottage and bounded home.
Goldie didn't know there were three squirrels inside the cottage: a
papa, a mama, and a baby squirrel. As Goldie ran, everything inside the little
house began to bounce and bump and tumble around. The kitchen chairs crashed
against the walls of the little house. Papa Squirrel’s chair knocked a hole in
the wall, because it was so hard. Mama Squirrel’s chair knocked her down, but
she wasn’t hurt, because it was so soft. Baby Squirrel’s chair knocked into the
fireplace and smashed into splinters.
Papa Squirrel grunted. Mama Squirrel groaned. And Baby Squirrel moaned, “Boo-hoo.”
As the cottage tipped this way and that, their bowls of acorn soup slid
from the table. Papa Squirrel’s soup splattered on his shirt. “Ouch, that’s
hot,” he said.
Mama Squirrel’s soup splattered in her lap. “Brr, that’s cold,” she
said.
Baby Squirrel’s soup flew across the room and splattered against the
wall.
Papa Squirrel steamed. Mama Squirrel sighed. And Baby Squirrel cried,
“Boo-hoo.”
By now Goldie had reached her own bedroom. She put the squirrels' cottage on the floor next to her dolls, but before she could look inside, she
heard her mother calling. “Goldie! Time for lunch.”
When all was quiet, the three squirrels crawled out from under their
jumbled furniture and crept into Goldie’s room. The squirrels examined
everything. They climbed her bookshelves. They poked in and out of her dresser
drawers. They wiped their sticky fur on her curtains, brushed their fluffy
tails with her hairbrush, and nibbled some candy from her coat pocket. They
searched her toy box. Finally, they explored the big, big bed.
They were so exhausted from their adventure that Papa Squirrel curled up
on the bed post, because it was very hard. Mama Squirrel snuggled into the
pillow, because it was very soft. But Baby Squirrel cuddled close to Goldie’s
teddy bear and fell fast asleep. Goldie returned to the room and stared
wide-eyed at the mess the squirrels had made.
Papa Squirrel slumbered. Mama Squirrel slept. And Goldie wept,
“Boo-hoo.”
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Write2Ignite! Conference
If you are a Christian writer, whether your work is overtly spiritual or not, you may have difficulty finding critique partners who are able to give your manuscript the insight you are looking for. Maybe you are looking for a market for your Christian fiction, biography, or devotional. Or perhaps you just need to figure out how your beliefs fit into your writing. The Write2Ignite conference may be for you.
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| Write2Ignite! Christian Writers' Conference March 28, 29, 2014 |
Workshops include many of the standard fare: nuts and bolts, querying, social media, marketing, but from writers with a faith-based point of view. Representatives from multiple religious presses and publications will be on hand as well to help you make the connections you need to get your work published.
My favorite aspect of the conference is the Teen Conference Track. I think Write2Ignite! offers an unparalleled opportunity for young people to explore their inner writer and poet.
Check out their blog and mark your calendar.
'Hope to see you there.
Monday, March 17, 2014
How To Banish Your Troubles
“I've never known any trouble that an hour's reading didn't assuage.”
-Charles De Secondat
Friday, March 14, 2014
PPBF: Sweet Dream Pie
Celebrate National Pi Day with today's Perfect Picture Book Friday pick
Sweet Dream Pie
Written by Audrey Wood
Illustrated by Mark Teague
Themes:
Fantasy / Tall-tale, Cooking, Dreams
Opening:
It was almost dawn on Willobee St. when Pa Brindle lit the lantern and led Ma Brindle up to their dark attic, to an old trunk draped in cobwebs.
"I haven't slept a wink tonight," Pa said. "I've been craving a piece of sweet dream pie, just like the one you made me long ago."
Synopsis:
When Pa Brindle gets a hankerin' for Ma Brindle's magical Sweet Dream pie, it's the whole town that faces the consequences. All day long, the residents in town smell and feel the effects of the magic working. The unfortunate side-effect of over-eating is more than a stomach-ache in this case, and it is Ma Brindle who has to spend the night chasing the monsters conjured up by the neighbors' not-so-sweet dreams.
What I Love:
If you love Audrey Wood, you'll love the silly plot she cooks up in Sweet Dream Pie. The secret pie ingredients include gum drops and chocolate, so it can't be all bad. Eaten in moderation, Ma Brindle's recipe guarantees a pleasant slumber. But who can resist just one more piece. This book is guaranteed to have young readers giggling, and it just might help them deal with bad dreams of their own. I can see it becoming a bedtime ritual for little ones with over-active imaginations.
Mark Teague delivers his usual hilarity with the kooky characters populating Willobee Street, and his clever stories within a story.
Bonus:
1. Celebrate in style with the Exploratorium, the museum that started it all. 26 years ago Larry Shaw began the Pi Day celebration on 3.14, and today they have a host of activities and links to share your mathematical enthusiasm. Take note that next year will be 3.1415!
2. Eat a piece of Dream Pie with this chocolaty recipe from Kraft.
3. I couldn't resist including these super-sweet cupcakes inspired by the book, from SweetTreatsBySusan.
4. Here's a cute Play-Doh activity from 3Dinosaurs.
5. For older readers, pick up a copy of Pie, by Sarah Weeks. It's one of my favorite books for 8 to 12 year-olds.
6. Look for these other related Perfect Picture Books at your local library.
Check out all the recommended titles for Perfect Picture Book Friday
for March 14, 2014, available on Susanna Leonard Hill's excellent blog.
 |
| Sweet Dream Pie, by Audrey Wood and Mark Teague |
Written by Audrey Wood
Illustrated by Mark Teague
- Scholastic, 1998
- Ages 4 - 9; level 4.6
Themes:
Fantasy / Tall-tale, Cooking, Dreams
Opening:
It was almost dawn on Willobee St. when Pa Brindle lit the lantern and led Ma Brindle up to their dark attic, to an old trunk draped in cobwebs.
"I haven't slept a wink tonight," Pa said. "I've been craving a piece of sweet dream pie, just like the one you made me long ago."
Synopsis:
When Pa Brindle gets a hankerin' for Ma Brindle's magical Sweet Dream pie, it's the whole town that faces the consequences. All day long, the residents in town smell and feel the effects of the magic working. The unfortunate side-effect of over-eating is more than a stomach-ache in this case, and it is Ma Brindle who has to spend the night chasing the monsters conjured up by the neighbors' not-so-sweet dreams.
What I Love:
If you love Audrey Wood, you'll love the silly plot she cooks up in Sweet Dream Pie. The secret pie ingredients include gum drops and chocolate, so it can't be all bad. Eaten in moderation, Ma Brindle's recipe guarantees a pleasant slumber. But who can resist just one more piece. This book is guaranteed to have young readers giggling, and it just might help them deal with bad dreams of their own. I can see it becoming a bedtime ritual for little ones with over-active imaginations.
Mark Teague delivers his usual hilarity with the kooky characters populating Willobee Street, and his clever stories within a story.
Bonus:
 |
| KraftRecipes.com |
2. Eat a piece of Dream Pie with this chocolaty recipe from Kraft.
3. I couldn't resist including these super-sweet cupcakes inspired by the book, from SweetTreatsBySusan.
4. Here's a cute Play-Doh activity from 3Dinosaurs.
5. For older readers, pick up a copy of Pie, by Sarah Weeks. It's one of my favorite books for 8 to 12 year-olds.
6. Look for these other related Perfect Picture Books at your local library.
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| Posted by GradeOneDerful |
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| Posted by ThisKidReviewsBooks |
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| Another Wood book, Posted by StoryPatch |
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| Also posted by Erik, at ThisKidReviewsBooks |
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| Posted by FloweringMinds |
for March 14, 2014, available on Susanna Leonard Hill's excellent blog.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
A Wild & Curious Series of Exhibits
The Rosenbach Museum
Philadelphia, PA
Visit the Rosenbach Museum Friday, March 14, 2014 from 3:00pm - 4:00pm for the hands on tour celebrating Lewis Carroll / Charles Dodgson.
Up next, Sendak in the '60s goes on display Wednesday, March 26 - Sunday, November 2.
The Rosenbach hosts many fabulous literary exhibits, including an artist project from Maira Kalman.
Read my review of Maira's newest book about Thomas Jefferson, or catch up on the past festivities for the museum's Sendak in the Spring event.
Read more about the recent merger of the Free Library of Philadelphia and the Rosenbach Museum collection.
Philadelphia, PA
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| On display from artist Sue Johnson |
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| Mural by Maurice Sendak, comissioned by the Chertoff family |
The Rosenbach hosts many fabulous literary exhibits, including an artist project from Maira Kalman.
Read my review of Maira's newest book about Thomas Jefferson, or catch up on the past festivities for the museum's Sendak in the Spring event.
Read more about the recent merger of the Free Library of Philadelphia and the Rosenbach Museum collection.
Monday, March 10, 2014
Friday, March 7, 2014
PPBF: Cocoa Ice
Today's Perfect Picture Book Friday pick
Cocoa Ice
Written by Diana Appelbaum
Illustrated by Holly Meade
Orchard Books, 1997
non-fiction, grades K-4
word count 2264
Themes:
Non-fiction, Historical, Chocolate!
Opening:
"Chocolate comes from a faraway island where birds have pink feathers, leaves grow bigger than I am tall, and it is always summer."
and the opening to the second section:
"Ice schooners come from a land where the water is so hard that people walk on the river - right on the river."
Synopsis:
This non-fiction picture book chronicles the ice trade in Maine and the cocoa trade in Santo Domingo during the 1800s. The story is told from two perspectives. It explains how each girl thinks the other's life is strange and exotic. It details how ice is cut and transported to the islands. The book also recounts how cocoa is harvested and enjoyed in both the Carribean and New England.
What I Love:
I love the unique format for storytelling. No matter the reader's location, the dual perspectives give him a connection to the main characters. This story works in so many interesting details about the history of trade, life in the 19th century, culture, nature, and of course, chocolate. This is creative non-fiction at its finest. The cut paper and gouache illustrations are stunning. Sadly, Holly Meade left us too soon, but she left behind a bountiful legacy for future readers to enjoy.
Bonus:
1. Learn about the history and culture of the Dominican Republic.
2. Learn about the history and culture of Maine.
3. Try your own hot cocoa, ice cream, or compromise with hot chocolate ice cream soda.
4. Holly Meade was an accomplished print artist. The Crafty Classroom has a kid-friendly way to simulate woodcuts.
5. Look for these other Perfect Picture Books about chocolate at your local library.
Check out all the recommended titles for Perfect Picture Book Friday
for March 7, 2014, available on Susanna Leonard Hill's excellent, chocolaty blog.
 |
| Cocoa Ice, by Diana Appelbaum, and Holly Meade |
Written by Diana Appelbaum
Illustrated by Holly Meade
Orchard Books, 1997
non-fiction, grades K-4
word count 2264
Themes:
Non-fiction, Historical, Chocolate!
Opening:
"Chocolate comes from a faraway island where birds have pink feathers, leaves grow bigger than I am tall, and it is always summer."
and the opening to the second section:
"Ice schooners come from a land where the water is so hard that people walk on the river - right on the river."
Synopsis:
This non-fiction picture book chronicles the ice trade in Maine and the cocoa trade in Santo Domingo during the 1800s. The story is told from two perspectives. It explains how each girl thinks the other's life is strange and exotic. It details how ice is cut and transported to the islands. The book also recounts how cocoa is harvested and enjoyed in both the Carribean and New England.
What I Love:
I love the unique format for storytelling. No matter the reader's location, the dual perspectives give him a connection to the main characters. This story works in so many interesting details about the history of trade, life in the 19th century, culture, nature, and of course, chocolate. This is creative non-fiction at its finest. The cut paper and gouache illustrations are stunning. Sadly, Holly Meade left us too soon, but she left behind a bountiful legacy for future readers to enjoy.
Bonus:
2. Learn about the history and culture of Maine.
3. Try your own hot cocoa, ice cream, or compromise with hot chocolate ice cream soda.
4. Holly Meade was an accomplished print artist. The Crafty Classroom has a kid-friendly way to simulate woodcuts.
5. Look for these other Perfect Picture Books about chocolate at your local library.
 |
| posted by Natalie |
 |
| posted by Susanna Leonard Hill |
 |
| posted by Vivian Kirkfield |
 |
| And the book everyone's been talking about, No Monkeys No Chocolate, by Melissa Stewart, Allen Young, and Nicole Wong |
Check out all the recommended titles for Perfect Picture Book Friday
for March 7, 2014, available on Susanna Leonard Hill's excellent, chocolaty blog.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
For Reading Out Loud
Celebrate the blessings of literacy. Read to someone today.
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| World Read Aloud Day 2014 LitWorld.org |
Monday, March 3, 2014
Rereading
“If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all.”
― Oscar Wilde
― Oscar Wilde
Sunday, March 2, 2014
#ChaBooCha
It's challenge time!
Feeling sluggish as the winter weather drags on? Power through those writing projects with a few March challenges.
Join the Chapter Book Challenge:
Feeling sluggish as the winter weather drags on? Power through those writing projects with a few March challenges.
Chapter Book Challenge 2014
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| Created by Rebecca Fyfe |
- Spend the month of March writing your easy reader, chapter, middle grade, or YA from start to finish.
- Earn the chance for weekly prizes
- Enter for the grand prize, a Kindle.
- Study the blog posts, be encouraged, improve your craft.
- Network with other writers just like you!
Or
Participate in March Madness
Created by Susanna Leonard Hill
- Write a fractured fairy tale in 400 words or less
- Blog your creation March 20- 24
- Vote for your favorite March 25-30
- Prizes awarded March 31, 2014
See you there!
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