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Teaching about Metaphors Teaching about Metaphors

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Early Childhood Reading Grants from TARGET Early Childhood Reading Grants from TARGET

Start a book club at your school, or bring a children’s book author to visit... 

Marketing Tips for Children’s Authors Marketing Tips for Children’s Authors

This week’s LIVE teleclass for children’s writers will take place on... 

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for children's writers

Agents: Do You Need One? Agents: Do You Need One?

by Nancy I. Sanders Children’s Author Nancy I. Sanders Question: Do I really... 

Become a Published Children’s Author! Become a Published Children’s Author!

Overwhelmed with all the information out there for writing for children? Not sure... 

Why I’m a Member of the CWCC Why I’m a Member of the CWCC

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Book Reviews

Poetry Rocks! by Stephanie Buckwalter Poetry Rocks! by Stephanie Buckwalter

Reviewed by Karen Cioffi Title: Poetry Rocks! Early American Poetry Author: Stephanie Buckwalter Publisher: Enslow Publishers, Inc. ISBN: 13: 978-0-7660-3277-4 ISBN: 10: 0-7660-3277-9 Poetry Rocks! Early American Poetry “Beauty in Words” explores poetry in America from colonial days to the end of the nineteenth century. It is a wonderful stepping... [Read more of this review]

Melissa and the Green Blanket by Julie S. Dobbins Melissa and the Green Blanket by Julie S. Dobbins

Reviewed by Karen Cioffi for the National Writing for Children Center Title: Melissa and the Green Blanket Author: Julie S. Dobbins Music by: Craig Dobbins Illustrated by: David Moon What’s the telltale mark of a wonderful children’s book or CD? The answer to this is easy, when a child requests to read it, or hear it, over and over and over… Melissa... [Read more of this review]

Awakening of the Dream Riders Awakening of the Dream Riders

Reviewed by Donna M. McDine Title: Awakening of the Dream Riders Written by: Lynda Louise Mangoro Soft cover: 226 pages Ages: 9-12 Publisher: Journeymakers, Inc. Publishing ISBN: 13-978-0-9841142-1-4 ? Published: January 2010 The awakening of one’s destiny can take an individual by surprise. Especially a child who is thrust into circumstances... [Read more of this review]

Penny & Rio: The Locked Doghouse Mystery by Jennifer Swanson Penny & Rio: The Locked Doghouse Mystery by Jennifer Swanson

Reviewed by Kristi Bernard for The National Writing for Children Center Title: Penny & Rio: The Locked Doghouse Mystery Written by: Jennifer Swanson Illustrated by: Swapan Debnath Ages: 6-12 Publisher: Mirror Publishing ISBN: 978-1-936046-10-2 If your children love pets then they will love Penny & Rio. These two dogs are really funny. This... [Read more of this review]

Penny & Rio: The Mysterious Backyard Meeting by Jennifer Swanson Penny & Rio: The Mysterious Backyard Meeting by Jennifer Swanson

Reviewed by Kristi Bernard for The National Writing for Children Center Title: Penny & Rio: The Mysterious Backyard Meeting Written by: Jennifer Swanson Illustrated by: Rosita Schandy & Neal Wooten Ages: 6-12 Publisher: Mirror Publishing ISBN: 978-0-9822560-1-5 If your children love pets then they will love Penny & Rio. These two dogs... [Read more of this review]

Quickly: The Magic Spatula by Jeryl Abelmann & Miriam Kronish Quickly: The Magic Spatula by Jeryl Abelmann & Miriam Kronish

Reviewed by Kristi Bernard for The National Writing for Children Center Title: Quickly: The Magic Spatula Written by: Jeryl Abelmann & Miriam Kronish Illustrated by: Chason Matthams Ages: all Publisher: New Year Publishing LLC ISBN: 978-0979988578 When families get together for Sunday meals fond memories are often made. Memories can be triggered... [Read more of this review]

Cookie by Lisa Woomer Cookie by Lisa Woomer

Reviewed by Kristi Bernard for the National Writing for Children Center Title: Cookie Written & Illustrated by: Lisa Woomer Ages: up to 9 Publisher: Outskirts Press ISBN: 978-1-4327-3020-8 Catherine Isabella Marie Jenkins is a little girl who loves to eat cookies. She ate them for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Her family started to call her “Cookie”... [Read more of this review]

O.O. Octopus, Sheriff of Blue Ribbon Sound O.O. Octopus, Sheriff of Blue Ribbon Sound

Reviewed by Kristi Bernard for the National Writing for Children Center Title: O.O. Octopus, Sheriff of Blue Ribbon Sound Written by: Pat Gaines Illustrated by: David Simon Ages: up to 9 Publisher: Dragonfly Publishing Inc. ISBN: 0-9801376-5-9 There’s big trouble in Blue Ribbon Sound. Sheriff O.O. Octopus’ daughter Sweet Sarah Sue has been... [Read more of this review]

Welcome Baby by Uncle Tee Welcome Baby by Uncle Tee

Reviewed by Suzanne Lieurance Title: Welcome Baby Author: Uncle Tee Paperback: 28 pages Publisher: CreateSpace (October 30, 2009) ISBN-10: 1449566995 ISBN-13: 978-1449566999 Welcome Baby is the perfect gift for your favorite expectant parents. They’ll be sure to take it with them to the hospital or birthing center to have it handy to record memories... [Read more of this review]

Poodle & Doodle by Donna Shepherd Poodle & Doodle by Donna Shepherd

Reviewed by Donna M. McDine Title: Poodle and Doodle Written by: Donna J. Shepherd Illustrated by: Jack Foster Ages: Up to 12 years Publisher: Guardian Angel Publishing ISBN: 978-1-61633-017-0 Published: December 2009 The balance of friendship can be a difficult one to understand. At times one may feel overshadowed by a friend and become frustrated.... [Read more of this review]

Messy Tessy by Leah Orr Messy Tessy by Leah Orr

Reviewed by Irene S. Roth Title: Messy Tessy Author: Leah Orr Illustrator: Josephine Lepore Reading Level: Ages 3 – 8 Publisher: Author House, 2009 ISBN: 978-1-4389-9398-0 Leah Orr’s book is an enchanting depiction about how kids can become adventurous when they are left alone for a while. Every parent will be able to relate to this story.... [Read more of this review]

Pick Your Poison by Kristi Holl Pick Your Poison by Kristi Holl

Reviewed by Donna M. McDine Title: Boarding School Mysteries ~ Pick Your Poison Written by: Kristi Holl Ages: 9-12 Publisher: Zonderkidz ISBN: 978-03105-67998 Published: June 2009 Pick Your Poison is not only the title of this edition of the Boarding School Mysteries it is a long time saying when not knowing what to choose in a difficult situation.... [Read more of this review]

The Case of the Missing Sock The Case of the Missing Sock

Reviewed by Donna M. McDine Title: The Crypto-Capers in the Case of the Missing Sock Written by: Renee Hand Illustrated by: Alla Dubrovich Ages: 8-12 (grades 4-7) Publisher: North Star Press of Saint Cloud Inc. ISBN: 978-0-87839-304-6 Published: October 2008 Many of us remember the challenge of cryptograms with fondness. In The Crypto-Capers in the... [Read more of this review]

The Case of Red Rock Canyon The Case of Red Rock Canyon

Reviewed by Donna M. McDine Title:The Crypto-Capers in the Case of the Red Rock Canyon Written by: Renee Hand Illustrated by: Alla Dubrovich Ages: 8-12 (grades 4-7) Publisher: North Star Press of Saint Cloud Inc. ISBN: 978-0-87839-304-6 Published: March 2009 Once again The Crypto-Capers find themselves hired and on the road to Las Vegas to solve The... [Read more of this review]

Reviewed by J. J. Murphy Title: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope Author: William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer Publisher: HarperCollins For Ages: 12 years and up ISBN: 978-0-06-173032-0 Date of Publication: 2009 My idea of a good book is when I get to the end, I turn the book over and start reading it again. William... [Read more of this review]

I’m Your Bus by Marilyn Singer – A Review I’m Your Bus by Marilyn Singer – A Review

Reviewed by Irene Roth Title: I’m Your Bus Author: Marilyn Singer Illustrator: Evan Polenghi Reading Level: Ages 4 – 8 Publisher: Scholastic Press, 2009 ISBN: 978-0-545-08918-0 I’m Your Bus is a cute and delightful book about the daily life of a school bus and his road-hugging buddies. This book has the beep on what makes a school... [Read more of this review]

<i>Emily the Chickadee</i> by Carol Zelaya Emily the Chickadee by Carol Zelaya

Reviewed by Donna M. McDine Title: Emily the Chickadee ~ Emily Waits for Her Family Written by: Carol Zelaya Illustrated by: Kristin Metcalf Ages: 4-8 Publisher: Richlee Publishing ISBN: 13-978-0-9796265-0-0 Published: April 2008 Come along for a glorious adventure with nature in the Emily the Chickadee series. Author Carol Zelaya writes in perfect... [Read more of this review]

<i>The Legend of Vinny Whiskers</i> by Gregory Kemp The Legend of Vinny Whiskers by Gregory Kemp

Reviewed by Donna M. McDine Title: The Legend of Vinny Whiskers Written by: Gregory Kemp Ages: 9-12 Publisher: WEbook, Inc. ISBN: 978-1-935003-03-8 Published: May 2009 Have you ever wondered about the lives of animals? Do they experience their own delights, discouragements, and everyday obstacles like human beings? The Legend of Vinny Whiskers will... [Read more of this review]

<i>Kick the Cowboy</i> by Joe Gribnau Kick the Cowboy by Joe Gribnau

Reviewed by Amy M. O’Quinn for the National Writing for Children Center Title: Kick the Cowboy Author: Joe Gribnau Illustrator: Adrian Tans Ages: 4-8 Publisher: Pelican Publishing Company (September 1, 2009) ISBN-10: 1589806050 ISBN-13: 978-1589806054 Kick the Cowboy, a new Fall 2009 release by Pelican Publishing Company, is a delightful picture... [Read more of this review]

<i>Moving Through All Seven Days</i> – A Review Moving Through All Seven Days – A Review

Reviewed by Donna M. McDine Title: Moving Through All Seven Days Written by: Kathy Ann Stemke Illustrated by: Tony Glisson Ages: 3-7 Publisher: Action Alley Education ISBN: To Be Released by Lulu.com Published: 2009 E-book: 32 pages Price: $5.00 Move and groove along with the whimsical characters of Moving Through All Seven Days as they slip, twirl,... [Read more of this review]

<i>What’s New at the Zoo?</i> – A Review What’s New at the Zoo? – A Review

Reviewed by Amy M. O’Quinn for the National Writing for Children Center Title: What’s New At the Zoo? Author: Suzanne Slade Illustrator: Joan Waites Reading Level: Ages 4-8 Hardcover: 32 pages Publisher: Sylvan Dell Publishing (June 10, 2009) ISBN-10: 1607180383 ISBN-13: 978-1607180418 Want an easy way to introduce or reinforce basic addition... [Read more of this review]

Too Too Many Tutus – a Review Too Too Many Tutus – a Review

Reviewed by Irene S. Roth for the National Writing for Children Center Title: Too Too Many Tutus Author: Suzanne Davis Marion Illustrator: Marj Hales Reading Level: Ages 4 – 8 Hardcover: 32 pages Publisher: Booksurge Books, 2009 ISBN: 13978-1439218471 Suzanne Davis Marion’s book is wonderfully crafted, colorful, and enchanting. It was... [Read more of this review]

The Sleepy Little Alphabet – a Review The Sleepy Little Alphabet – a Review

Reviewed by Irene S. Roth Title: The Sleepy Little Alphabet Author: Judy Sierra Illustrated by: Melissa Sweet Reading Level: Ages 4 – 8 Hardcover: 32 pages Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf, 2009 ISBN: 978-0-375-84002-9 Judy Sierra’s book is an absolutely fascinating and fun alphabet story in rhyme. Judy is amazingly talented in that she writes... [Read more of this review]

Mother Osprey: Nursery Rhymes for Buoys and Gulls Mother Osprey: Nursery Rhymes for Buoys and Gulls

Reviewed by Amy M. O’Quinn for the National Writing For Children Center Title: Mother Osprey: Nursery Rhymes for Buoys and Gulls Author: Lucy Nolan Illustrator: Connie McLennan Reading Level: Ages 4-8 Hardcover: 32 pages Publisher: Sylvan Dell Publishing (June 10, 2009) ISBN-10: 1607180413 ISBN-13: 978-1607180418 “With clever twists on old standards,... [Read more of this review]

<i>Moose and Magpie</i> – A Review Moose and Magpie – A Review

Reviewed by Amy M. O’Quinn for the National Writing for Children Center Title: Moose and Magpie Written by: Bettina Restrepo Illustrated by: Sherry Rogers Reading level: Ages 4-8 Hardcover: 32 pages Publisher: Sylvan Dell Publishing (June 10, 2009) ISBN-10: 1607180421 ISBN-13: 978-1607180425 Moose and Magpie is one of the new books in the Sylvan Dell... [Read more of this review]

<i>The Lucky Baseball</i> by Suzanne Lieurance The Lucky Baseball by Suzanne Lieurance

This fall I’ll be visiting schools, libraries, and bookstores to talk about my new historical novel from Enslow Publishers. Read more about it here: Title: The Lucky Baseball – My Story in a Japanese-American Internment Camp Author: Suzanne Lieurance ISBN-13: 978-0-7660-3311-5 Release Date: September 2009 Interest Level: Grades 3-6 Page... [Read more of this review]

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