Susanna Leonard Hill’s Halloweensie contest is back! http://susannahill.com/ In its sixth year, this contest combines the spooky fun of Halloween with the challenge of writing a short short – 100 words or less – kids' story using the words spider, ghost, and moon (in any form). After you read my 100-word entry below, be sure to head…
Perfect Picture Book Friday: I DON’T WANT TO BE A FROG
As a writer, I’m interested in exploring and challenging stereotypes and pigeonholing. So as a reader I seek out books about those who question stereotypes and push against boundaries. But in tandem with shooting for the moon and not letting yourself be limited by what others expect or don’t expect from you, it’s also important to…
Perfect Picture Book Friday: ONLY A WITCH CAN FLY
This time of year, I’m always on the prowl for Halloween stories to devour with my kids. We love spooky Halloween stories and we love sweet Halloween stories. Most of all, we love Halloween stories that evoke the magic of the season. And there’s something particularly enchanting about witches and full moons and black cats.…
Perfect Picture Book Friday: WHEN GREEN BECOMES TOMATOES
Here in Corvallis (which means “heart of the valley” – isn’t that lovely?) we’ve had a gorgeous week of crisp sunny mornings and warm afternoons. Perfect for long hikes to admire the autumn foliage and gather a few wild apples or late blackberries. So for my Perfect Picture Book Friday selection I chose Julie Fogliano’s…
Perfect Picture Book Friday: I AM YOGA
This week my pick for Perfect Picture Book Friday comes from my first-grade daughter. On Tuesday, she happily unpacked I AM YOGA from her bag and begged me to read it with her. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised. (For a supersized list of links to picture book reviews, check…
Picture Perfect Friday: BLACK DOG
A picture book that can help a child face fear is a thing of beauty. Last week I reviewed THE LITTLE BIT SCARY PEOPLE. This week for Picture Perfect Friday I present another book about facing fear, BLACK DOG. (For a humungous list of links to picture book reviews, check out Susanna Leonard Hill’s site:…
Picture Perfect Friday: THE LITTLE BIT SCARY PEOPLE
Here in Oregon, the leaves on the blueberry bushes blush crimson. The pumpkins in my patch glow orange. And I’m feeling a little blue because the kids returned to school this week. After a long summer hiatus, I am finally back to blogging. This week for Picture Perfect Fridays I selected THE LITTLE BIT SCARY…
Picture Perfect Friday: A HUNGRY LION OR A DWINDLING ASSORTMENT OF ANIMALS
This week for Picture Perfect Fridays I chose Lucy Ruth Cummins’ dark and funny A HUNGRY LION OR A DWINDLING ASSORTMENT OF ANIMALS. Writer-illustrator Cummins is a writer’s writer. By that I mean she shows us how to play and break rules in the best possible way. Read on to see what I mean. (For…
Picture Perfect Friday: So You Want to be a Rock Star
It’s a beautiful spring FRIDAY, and time again for Susanna Leonard Hill’s Picture Perfect Fridays. You can find a GINORMOUS list of links to picture book reviews on her site: http://susannahill.com/for-teachers-and-parents/perfect-picture-books/ This week, in honor of one of my all-time favorite rock stars, Prince, I chose SO YOU WANT TO BE A ROCK STAR.…
Picture Perfect Friday: YOUR ALIEN
It’s FRIDAY, and that means it’s time for Susanna Leonard Hill’s Picture Perfect Fridays. You can find a COLOSSAL list of links to picture book reviews on her site: http://susannahill.com/for-teachers-and-parents/perfect-picture-books/ My pick this week is one of my kids’ favorites – YOUR ALIEN. When you imagine an alien, do you picture something scary and green?…
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