Punk Wig - A Children's Book With a Purpose

Punk Wig

Author: Lori Ries
Illustrator: Erin Eitter Kono
ISBN: 978-1-59078-486-0
Publisher: Boyds Mills Press, Inc

Punk Wig is an example of a beautiful and entertaining book for children as it not only entertains but educates the child about the side effects of cancer. The main character describes the cancer as "alien blobs" going through his mothers insides.

The book has watercolor illustrations that take some of the fear away as children can look at the pictures of the mother going through the treatment or chemotherapy. It shows mom tired and talks about when she feels better...time to get a wig.

The character and mom go to "Harriet's Hair" the best hair place in town. The delightful story takes the two on a wig hunt, finally settling on a Punk Wig... but not before they laugh and try on several silly wigs and hair pieces along the way.

The story cleverly shows the child the time line for treatment and recovery in a gentle way. This story is a wonderful presentation to introduce the young child to the subject of cancer, treatment, and side-effects without being doom and gloom or frightening.

As a pediatric critical care nurse, I recommend this book for any child who has an adult they love facing this disease. It is also a fun read for children to be introduced to the topic of illness and treatment for children who have never had to face something this serious.

Punk Wig puts a smile on your face and warm feeling in your heart with the simple, fun, and clever words in this story. The story will touch everyone who reads it over and over again.

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Interview with Sammy Shu, Author of "There's a Season for All"

Sammy Shu resides in Denver, Colorado with her family. In 1992 she finished her first children’s book, and quickly discovered a love of the genre and has been weaving her fantasies ever since. Sammy writes four hours a day and spends her time dedicated to the whimsies of childhood. She hopes to bring smiles to the faces of children all over the world and her stories are a testament to this. Fairies, dragons, mermaids, centaurs and creatures yet to be discovered are but a few of the fabulous topics of her wonderful books. Sammy has written nine children’s books with more planned for the future.

Juanita: Welcome to Reader Views Sammy, and thanks for the opportunity to talk with you about your wonderful new children’s book “There’s a Season for All.” Sammy, have you always been a writer? Why did you begin writing children’s books?

Sammy: I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember being able to hold a pencil. My first stories were related to role-playing. You learn about character development, Finding a reason for things and developing storylines. It’s a great fun way to relax and stretch your imagination muscles. As I grew older I stopped gaming and began really pursuing more fairytale themes in my work. My love of children’s book arrived with my children watching their faces light up as I tell them a story makes a challenging day melt away. That’s good stuff.

Juanita: What is the age range of “There’s a Season for All”? Is this the same for all of your books?

Sammy: This book is for young readers, ages 5 - 9. My next book is for young adults and the ones coming next year are again for the younger reader.

Juanita: Is there anything specific to the 5 - 9 year age group that you keep in mind when writing?

Sammy: I try to remember how amazingly intelligent children are today. I never dumb it down. I use big words and situations that I know they deal with. I want to relate to these children. My writing has a purpose, a goal, and that’s an important factor to my work. I want to create an emotional response, make them think. So far the response has been great.

Juanita: What happens in “There’s a Season for All”?

Sammy: Four fairies sisters inherit the running of Tweenland. They have many responsibilities and soon discover that things are far more difficult than they thought. Running a kingdom is demanding. Soon they are fighting and causing problems for the people. I think this is something that happens with siblings, they fight, they work it out and in the end they remain loving and considerate. This is what happens in the book. But I don’t want to give away how that happens. The ending is pretty cool.

Juanita: Would you tell us about Tweenland, and its metaphoric message?

Sammy: I wanted a land that represented real life situations while remaining true to a child’s fabulous imagination. This is the place in be Tween.

Juanita: What inspired this highly creative storyline?

Sammy: I have daughters and of course they love all things fairy tale. Seasons are very important to me. I grew up in Florida where there really weren’t many changes, that part was inspired by Colorado and all of its beauty and variety. Sometimes I forget that I came from a place that didn’t have that. It’s so beautiful here and I draw a lot of my inspiration from that. all of the rest comes from the children. They’re so open and so fascinated by it all. I remember that and I miss the innocence. I’m inspired to keep that alive.

Juanita: The four fairy sisters in this story represent the four seasons, who struggle to assert their power. This really is a fascinating way to connect children with the environment, while teaching personal responsibility and working with others. Would you elaborate on these characters - the four fairy sisters, and the magic they hold in this story?

Sammy: The great thing about this story for me is each character represents a child in my life so they are all very special to me. They have such power to control their own environment and you can see how competent and successful they are by the end of the story. Girls need to know that they are powerful and capable I love that my girls feel that and I hope this book can put those ideas out there for other girls.

Juanita: What is the take home message in “There’s a Season for All”?

Sammy: Every person has something to offer in the big picture. We’re all so different and if we could just learn to work together we could achieve anything.

Juanita: Sammy, have you always been interested in fairy tales and mystical themes?

Sammy: Yes, as a child I wrote about magical bunnies and a land where you could sip chocolate milk from streams. I also played some role-playing games. I love fantastic themes. It’s so wonderful to be able to write about the places in my dreams and know that I can share that with the world.

Juanita: Even in this modern-day, why do you think fairies, dragons, mermaids, and elfin creatures provide such timeless fascination for children?

Sammy: It’s the belief that magic is real. I think as children are growing they are frustrated by their lack of control on their lives. In fairy tales they can use their imagination to create situations that they enjoy and have some control over.

Juanita: I know that imagination is a significant theme in your books, as well as in your personal and professional life. Would you comment on your desire to spark children’s imagination as well as inspiring your own?

Sammy: Life can be so demanding. We all need a place to go and recharge our batteries. The imagination is abundant and you can make it anything you want. For me it’s writing and my hope for the children is that they enjoy my stories, come away feeling refreshed and ready to take on all of life’s challenges.

Juanita: Sammy, would you tell us about Carl Cone, the illustrator for “There’s a Season for All,” as well as the collaboration process?

Sammy: Carl is my best friend. We’ve worked together for years and I’m sure we will continue to do so. He’s amazing. All of my work comes to life because of his astounding talent. I give him a story and he usually shows me sketches. We talk about possibilities and then he’s off and running. He’s always right on with his great ideas. I’m lucky to have such talent surrounding me. He has a site for people in need of an artist in different mediums. It is http://www.myspace.com/carltheartbug.

Juanita: Are you working on any other books/projects at this time?

Sammy:“The Legend of the Vampire Fairies” is the next book coming out. It’s a darker fairy tale for teens and young adults. The art is primarily my photography with some sketches and detail work by Carl. We’re very excited about it. I’ve also written several books that are about the Land of Imagination (where the fairy queen goes to rest in the first book) in that book the main character is a centaur boy learning the responsibilities of adulthood. Both project hold a special place in my heart and I cant wait to share them.
They will all be coming out as soon as the art is done.

Juanita: How can readers find out about you and your books?

Sammy: You can buy my books at Borders, Barnes & Noble, Tattered Cover, Amazon.com any retail store should have them or be able to get them. My web site is [http://www.Sammyshu.com] .

I also have several other sites that are linked to that one. If you go to Youtube.com you can put in Vampire Fairies and watch a book trailer of my upcoming book.

Juanita: Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us today Sammy. We encourage readers to look for “There’s a Season for All” at local and online bookstores, as well as stay posted to your website for future releases. Before we depart, do you have any final thoughts for your readers?

Sammy: I’d like to mention that a portion of the proceeds of my book sales go to a foundation I started called AFFECT (artists function for enhancing children’s tomorrow) The purpose of the foundation is to give children in need the opportunities that the rest of them have, Good books, entertainment, Art. We go to children’s homes and hospitals we read to them, do short skits, teach them fun safe choreographed combat techniques. Drawing classes, and anything else our members are willing to provide. We are always looking for people who are willing to donate their talents for the lost children of this world; hopefully through my writing I can make a difference. Thank you for this opportunity to get my message to more people.

To find out more about our cause go to makeanaffect.com and keep reading!

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Learn to Write Dialogue Correctly For Your Children's Book!

The rules of grammar exist for a reason. That reason is to make sure that what your writing makes sense to your readers. If you refuse to follow them, your readers can easily become confused about what you're trying to say. That leads to them becoming frustrated and annoyed, in turn causing them to put your book down for good. This is especially true in the case of children, who are still learning the rules of grammar and can easily get confused. Learn to write dialogue correctly and you will have a better chance at keeping your reader entertained and involved in your story.

Thankfully though with children's books, they are usually relatively short with simple sentences. This makes the grammar relatively simple and straightforward, unlike academic texts in which the grammar can quickly get advanced and complex. One potentially confusing area of grammar that children's fiction still has to contend with, however, are the mechanics of writing dialogue.

That's why I have briefly explained the grammar rules of writing dialogue below.

Basic Dialogue Rules

1. Two pairs of double quotation marks surround what someone says.

2. Punctuation goes inside the double quotation marks.

3. After the quotation marks, add a dialogue tag (like 'said') to identify who spoke.

4. End the sentence with a period.

Example: "I want some lemonade," Bobby said.

Dialogue Punctuation

1. For a quotation that would normally end with a period, use a comma instead. This is because the sentence is not complete until after the dialogue tag. See the example above.

2. If you place the dialogue tag in the middle of a sentence, use a comma inside the first set of quotation marks, and normal punctuation inside the second.

Example: "I want lemonade too," Suzy said, "but only if it has sugar."

3. For a quotation that would normally end with a question mark or exclamation point, use normal punctuation, but place it inside the double quotation marks.

Example: "Doesn't all lemonade have sugar?" Bobby asked.

I hope you find these simple rules to writing dialogue helpful and useful to you. As you learn to write for children you will find using dialogue is a great tool to speed up the pace of your story and help to show your reader what is happening, in less words than describing every detail. Remember, especially with children, you want to get your point across as soon as possible and dialogue is the way to do this. It is important to have the rules set in place at the beginning to save yourself from disappointment with publishers when submitting your manuscript.

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6 Starter Tips For Writing Children's Stories

"I'd like to write a children's story someday!"

Ask just about any adult that likes children and you'll find many of them saying those exact words.

If you happen to fall into the category described above, you may find these tips helpful in getting you moving in the direction to write that children's story. Whether your story is still sitting in your notebook or is an inspirational thought still in your head, these starter tips may be just the ticket to get you motivated.

Six Starter Tips for Writing Children's Stories:

1. Spend a lot of time around children. You can pick up a lot of information by just observing children's mannerisms and how interact with other children. Especially notice how they pick up objects and how they hand toys, blocks, and dolls to others in the group.

2. Visit the children's section at your local Library. Spend some time perusing children's books by looking at their titles and book covers. Glance through a few pages and you'll chuckle and think, "I can do that." You'll get inspired with ideas.

3. Choose an age range that you would like to write for. Generally speaking there are three age ranges for children's books, the 3-7 listener/reader, the 8-12 intermediate reader, and the 13-18 teenage reader. Experiment till you find your comfort level.

4. Think about if you'd like to write Fiction or Non-Fiction. Some writers prefer fiction and think that non-fiction is boring, but it is very possible to write non-fiction in a very intriguing manner. Non-fiction does not equate 'boring' when you're creative.

5. Read Parenting Magazines: Parenting Magazines are loaded with information, reading trends, and what parents are buying and reading for their children. You can get ideas for your own stories just by reading their articles.

6. Take writing classes or join a children's writers group. Learning writing styles for children's writing can be a real eye-opener. You'd be surprised to find there is a lot of valuable information to learn at these places. Not to mention the friends you'll make.

These ideas are very basic, but they may be just that little push you needed to get inspired to write that children's book you've been meaning to write. Here's an excellent resource; the link to the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators to guide you on your writing path http://www.scbwi.org/

Then...Watch out, because if you thought you didn't have the time to write that children's story, you will be amazed that with inspiration, you will make the time!

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Strass Swarovski Crystal Chandeliers - Elegance Into Your Home

The beauty of crystal chandeliers is irrefutable. Difficult it is to deny the aesthetic value these objects bring into home and building interiors. Crystal chandeliers are interior conversation pieces that have been enchanting visual senses way back from the 17th century. While there are many different types of crystal available today, one type of crystal stands above the rest--the Strass crystal, which is manufactured by Swarovski. The Strass crystal is considerably world-renowned as the finest crystal human kind has ever laid eyes on. From its raw form, the crystal is machine cut and then hand polished. An invisible optical layer coated on the surface of the crystal gives that glittering effect. Strass Swarovski crystals are used annually in the design of the inimitable Swarovski Crystal Palace Collections. The eye-catching crystal chandelier designs based on the Strass Swarovski have been commenced in 2002, the most recent presentation of which occurred in April 2006. Several designers from around the world have brought to fruition crystal chandeliers anyone can only dream about before. Modern-day chandelier designer Ferrucio Laviani exhibited the chandelier he dubbed as "Yoga" in 2005, for which he brought together a hundred crystals of assorted pastel shades and enclosed them in an exquisitely shaped gold frame. The shape of resembles that of a standard children's top. A toy it may seem but this chandelier is certainly not one toy you would want your children to tinker around with. This crystal chandelier is illuminated by halogen bulbs that emit off a soothing and spellbound glow mixture of colors and crystal texture.

Chris Levine was the brains behind the "Vertigo crystal chandelier design. Levine's masterpiece projects the visual effect of old-style chandeliers, just like those one might spot in ballrooms. The unique thing about "Vertigo" is that it is illumined by laser lights throughout the crystal arrays. The end result is a distinctive visual display that is only possible with Strass Swarovski crystals.

Fashion designers Bruno Basso and Christopher Brooke worked in tandem to design "Science & Fiction" in 2006. This crystal chandelier's shape was guided by the Marie-Therese design, identified with the 18th century Austrian Empress. The beautiful Marie-Therese chandelier is distinguished for its elaborate candle arms, and the concept behind "Science & Fiction" serves as a reverence to such an age-old standard. The chandelier consists of 111 crystals, and completed by 32 lit black candles.

Gaetano Pesce introduced the "Mediterraneo" in 2006. The unique design of this crystal chandelier is inspired from traditional old world chandelier. The chandelier is made up of 140 crystal strands, with each one comprising 87 Swarovski crystals illumined by light-emitting diodes that alter the color of the design. "Mediterraneo" also gives off certain calming smells, and features shape shifting before the eyes of a viewer.

The radical features displayed by these crystal chandelier designs are evident of a modern transformation in the genre of chandelier motifs. The days of "run-of-the-mill" chandeliers are definitely archaic and modern chandeliers offer a fresh look. As designers carry on experimenting with the aesthetic elements that crystals bestow, the general appearance of chandeliers in the market today will definitely bear a resemblance to any of the crystal chandelier designs mentioned in this article. As a result, an increasing number of people are guaranteed to discover the beauty that crystal chandeliers would impart to their respective home interiors.

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Children's Book Publishers - How to Wow Them With a Perfect Query Letter

In a perfect world, you'd be able to pitch your manuscript to an editor over a leisurely cup of coffee. But we're forced to inhabit the real world, where you've got about 10 seconds to hook an editor before she decides to continue reading or reach for her form rejection slip. And more and more, this "hook" must come in the form of a query letter.

A query is a business letter asking permission to send the project described. It is either sent without an accompanying manuscript, or with two or three sample chapters (the publisher's guidelines will state which form the query should take). If the query letter stands alone, it's your only chance to sell the editor on your book. Many authors hate the task of writing a query, but it's a necessity in today's publishing industry. Editors, overwhelmed by the sheer number of submissions they receive, need a quick way to weed out the good from the not-so-good. A well-crafted query has a better chance of leading to a well-crafted manuscript.

The first rule of query writing is that the letter must fit on one page. That's one side of one page (no cheating and printing a double-sided letter). Type it single spaced, but leave sufficient white space at the top and bottom so the letter looks uncluttered and appealing. Why such length limitations? If you can't sum up your book in less than a page, you haven't sufficiently clarified your idea.

Your first paragraph (two paragraphs if you've written a longer novel) conveys to the editor what your book is about. Think of this as the copy that would go on the jacket flap. You don't want to give away all the surprises, but you do want to entice the reader to buy the book. For fiction, establish your main character in a sentence or two, present the character's primary problem or conflict, mention one or two things the character plans to do to resolve the problem, and bring up some of the obstacles that will stand in his way. Hit the high points upon which the action is based. The synopsis should also reflect the tone of the book-humorous, scary, action-packed, somber, etc.

Don't discuss the theme, or the underlying message of the book. This should be obvious to the editor through the plot.

In nonfiction queries to children's book publishers, begin by stating an interesting fact about your topic that helps establish a market for your book (Did you know Jello, in its many shapes and forms, is eaten by 3 million people a day?) Follow this by describing what your book is about and your particular slant on the topic. In a few sentences explain your approach and how it's appropriate for the intended age group, the questions you'll raise and answer, and any additional materials your book would have (photographs, maps, activities, etc.) You can add a paragraph explaining your research and any unusual information you've uncovered. List good firsthand sources available to you or new data that hasn't ever appeared in a children's book.

After your synopsis, list the book's title, word count, age group and genre (historical fiction, humorous mystery, science activity book, etc.)  Explain why you've chosen to submit to this publisher (show that you've done your market research and describe in one sentence why your book would fit in with this publisher's list). For nonfiction, also state how your book would be different from other books on the market on the same topic.

Your next paragraph is about you. Give any information pertinent to writing children's books (previous publishing credits, memberships in writing organizations, writing classes you've taken, professional experience with children of the age group for which you want to write). Nonfiction credentials may include extensive experience with or study of the topic. If you don't have any relevant information, skip this paragraph. Editors know that everyone has to start somewhere.

Finally, ask the editor if you may send the entire manuscript, and thank her for her time. Attach sample chapters if indicated in the publisher's guidelines (nonfiction publishers may also request a chapter-by-chapter outline). Enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope for the editor's reply. If you're sending a letter only, the SASE can be a business size envelope. If you're including sample chapters, your SASE should be large enough to return the entire packet.

Always address the letter and envelope to a specific editor whenever possible. Use good stationery with your name, address, phone number and email printed at the top. Send by regular mail-brightly-colored envelopes, trinkets or treats included in the package, or Fed-Ex delivery won't increase your chances.

Then, drop your query in the mail and start on your next manuscript!

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How Hollywood Can Help Get Your Children's Book Published

From cbiclubhouse.com The big screen is filled with great storytelling techniques that you can employ to improve your own writing. Here's just some of that you can lift from your favorite films....

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Reading Goals For Second Graders

At the second grade level, readers are starting to become more able to work on their own. They are exploring the use of the written word and know where to find answers to questions they might have about new words. Spelling word lists expand vocabulary as the child learns proper letter order. In-class reading and writing projects build many of the skills listed here. But you can help your child master these goals too, once you know what the goals are.

Alphabet-related goals.

Knows how to use phonics to help figure out unfamiliar words.
Spells words correctly.
Tries to spell words by the way they sound if the correct spelling is unknown.

Word Recognition goals.

Reads many sight words (words recognized automatically and pronounced without decoding the spelling, i.e. the, I, in, it).
Spells one- and two-syllable words.
Learns new words and uses them at home and in school.
Uses context clues and knowledge of word parts to figure out what a word means.
Increases in knowledge of synonyms and antonyms.
Learns new words through independent reading.

Reading goals.

Reads and understands second grade fiction and nonfiction.
Reads to answer specific questions.
Reads topics of interest.
Recalls details, main ideas, and information after reading.
Interprets information from graphs, charts, and diagrams.

Writing goals.

Writes for many different purposes (examples - stories, letters, lists, reports).
Chooses words and thoughts carefully when writing.
Revises and edits when writing.
Uses parts of speech (nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, conjunctions) correctly.

Second graders show a great deal of curiosity about the world around them. If you haven't already made trips to the library a regular part of your weekly schedule, this is a good time to do so. As they start to master early reading skills, children of this age relish lots of opportunities for independent reading. They explore whatever topic catches their interest, developing not only more knowledge, but also a love for reading. Additionally, the extra reading practice solidifies their growing reading skills and builds confidence.

Two other home activities which reinforce the skills being taught at school are having your child help you cook and help you navigate.

In the case of cooking, the child can read the instructions of a recipe aloud, help measure, and mix. Besides eating the delicious results, following a recipe develops the skills of interpreting information, paying attention to details, and translating written instructions into action.

In the case of navigating, children learn to interpret information from a map with its accompanying legend. They connect the real world with the symbols on the map. They also learn how to give clear directions, pay attention to street signs, plan routes between locations, and use a map to find places of interest. This technique is not limited to vacations. Use it around town for errands. Have them help plan the shortest route and then guide you as you complete your errand run.

A parent remains a child's most influential teacher. You can help your child become their "best self" by nurturing their interests and providing them opportunities to contribute to your family life.

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