Do YOU Want to Write for Children?


The National Writing for Children's Center is the home of the Children's Writers' Coaching Club (CWCC), and a growing resource for children's writers, aspiring children's writers, parents,elementary school teachers, and librarians.

Join the Children's Writers' Coaching Club HERE and learn all you need to know to become a published children's writer yourself!

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Sep 29

The Secret of Yahweh! - Book Review

Book review8 Comments

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Reviewed by Donna M. McDine, book reviewer for the National Writing for Children Center

The Secret of YahwehTitle: The Secret of Yahweh!

Author: LeFerna Arnold-Walch

Publisher: Mary’s Lamb, Inc. (July 7, 2008)

ISBN-10: 0980179483

ISBN-13: 978-0980179484

The Secret of Yahweh! is based around the original story, “Mary’s Little Lamb.” The author intertwines the original story into a modern day classic to teach children and adults that the love of God surrounds each and every one of us.

The determination and will of fourth grader, Mary, will have you spell bound from the moment you meet her. Her wisdom of God and what his love means is heartwarming. Mary is dismayed to find out that her elementary school has taken “under God” out of the Pledge of Allegiance and wants to know why this would happen.

“‘What is going on? Why would he take `under God’ out of our Pledge?’ Mary whispered to Petey.”

Even though the teacher explains to the class the separation of church and school, Mary strongly feels this decision is not in the best interest of the school. While in her bedroom, Mary discovers a little lamb under her bed, identified as J.C. Lamb. It appears Mary is the only person who can see her new little friend and she decides to take the lamb to school. Much to her shock, Mary discovers some students can see him and others cannot. Through the help of Mary’s teacher, Miss Sawyer, at a special Sunday school class the mystery is unraveled as to what J.C. Lamb’s visit means.

About the Author: LeFerna Arnold-Walch, is a veteran entertainer, singer, and songwriter. Children and adults alike will surely enjoy this magical journey. For further information visit www.maryslambinc.com

Listen to this interview with LeFerna Arnold-Walch on Book Bites for Kids.Book Bites for Kids Logo

Sep 27

“Time Travel and Fantasy” with Simon Rose

author interviewsNo Comments



ICL logogRecently, author Simon Rose, who is also one of our instructors for the Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club, was the guest author for an Institute of Children’s Literature’s online chat.

Simon Rose is the author of The Heretic’s Tomb, The Emerald Curse, The Alchemist’s Portrait, The Sorcerer’s Letterbox and The Clone Conspiracy. All continue to gather great reviews and The Sorcerer’s Letterbox was nominated for the Silver Birch, Diamond Willow and Golden Eagle Book Awards in 2005. Simon is also an alum of the Institute of Children’s Literature! To learn more about Simon and his work, visit http://www.simon-rose.com

Simon RoseRead the transcript of the chat with Simon HERE.


Sep 26

Tiger, Tiger by Dee Lillegard

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Reviewed by Carma Dutra, Picture Book Reviewer for the National Writing for Children Center

Tiger, TigerTitle: Tiger, Tiger

Author: Dee Lillegard

Illustrator: Susan Guevara

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Hardcover: 32 pages

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile; 1st edition (October 14, 2002)

ISBN-10: 0399226338

ISBN-13: 978-0399226335

Tiger, Tiger has an air of mystery about it from the beginning. “The Tiger” by William Blake opens the story:

Tiger! Tiger! Burning bright

In the forests of the night,

What immortal hand or eye

Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

Pocu lives in a small village that is not named but the illustrations hint of a South American setting. Rich deep colors by celebrated illustrator Susan Guevara are an integral part of the story. The words and illustrations become one. This makes for an excellent picture book for the adult who reads to the child or a child who is just learning to read.

As one might expect, it is hot in a tropical village and one particular day it was very hot. Pocu wanted to play as most children do regardless of the heat but the rest of the family wanted to take a nap.

Pocu grumbles with nothing to do as he wanders outside the village into the forest. As he walks along the path he spots a feather almost peacock shape and full of oranges, gold, hot pink, turquoise and other vivid colors. Pocu’s imagination comes alive when he picks up the feather. Children have vivid imaginations. Just ask any parent who has bought expensive toys only to turn around and find their children playing with the pots and pans.

Pocu swoops the feather around in the air and Swish. He makes the flowers bloom. Swish. Pocu made a great murmuring shadow. The shadow speaks to Pocu, “Give me my eyes that I may see you.” Piece by piece and by every turn of the page Pocu creates a magnificent Tiger. Pocu’s imagination takes on magical power as Tiger grows larger and more beautiful but also very hungry. Parrots and monkeys scream and shriek trying to warn Pocu of impending danger.

Children’s imaginations are a wonderful thing. Pocu continues to feed his imagination and when Tiger roars his mouth opens large and deep. Pocu takes the feather and Swish. Tiger yawns. Swish. Tiger yawns again. “Sleep, Tiger,” said Pocu. And Tiger slept. Then swish. Piece by piece Pocu takes back all the parts of Tiger. After Tiger is completely taken apart, Pocu goes home just in time for supper. This is a great book that can be read aloud to encourage young readers to contribute with sound effects of the feather’s Swishing and shrieking of the jungle animals.

About the Author: Dee Lillegard is a published author of children’s books. Some of the published credits include Who Will Sing a Lullaby?, Balloons, Balloons, Balloons, Go!: Poetry in Motion.

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Carma DutraCarma Dutra is a freelance writer and children’s author. Learn more about children’s writing tips and award winning book reviews by visiting Carma’s Window. Download the free E-Books, Tips for Children’s Writers and Illustrators, and Unite to Write, a compilation of thirteen top expert authors as read on www.ezinearticles.com.

Sep 24

SIMON SAYS - Respect Those Who Support Your Writing Efforts!

Writing Tips, Simon Rose, Simon Says2 Comments

SIMON SAYS

A weekly column from children’s author Simon Rose
Simon Rose

I do a lot of my creative work at night, especially during the school year from September to June, although this is largely a legacy from the time when I worked outside the home from Monday to Friday.

In more recent years, I have gradually moved away from exclusively working in the evening and now try to get more writing done during the daylight hours. However, I find that full days conducting workshops with children and doing presentations over the course of a week can be
exhausting. Consequently, I often do very little creative work once I get home if I have been busy with author visits at schools. At these times, my writing work schedule at home seems to be restricted to responding to e mails, attending to blogs, answering inquires from schools and engaging in various aspects of promotional work.

During busy periods, very little creative work gets done. If you have a full-time job during the week, your only option is to create your masterpiece at night or over the weekend. However, this process has to be finely balanced with allowing time for your family. Often, spouses and other family members can be incredibly supportive of your burning desire to break into print, but they can also soon begin to feel neglected if the writing project starts to take over your life.

Develop not only a schedule, setting time aside in the evening or weekend to attend to your writing, but also have a firm starting time and especially a finish time, no matter how involved in the creative process you are.

Always remember to be respectful of the people in your life who are supporting your efforts and allowing you the precious time to pursue your dream.

Sep 23

Follow Some of Your Favorite Children’s Authors!

Book Bites for Kids, blogtalkradio.com, blog, book marketingNo Comments


BlogKeep up with some of your favorite children’s authors who will be on a blog tour this week.

Check out the complete tour schedule HERE.

You’ll notice that Book Bites for Kids, LIVE on blogtalkradio every weekday afternoon at 2:00 CENTRAL is a stop on the tour for many of these children’s authors.

Today on Book Bites for Kids, host, Suzanne Lieurance, will chat will children’s authors Bonny Becker and Kirby Larson. On Thursday, children’s author Maureen McQuerry will be Suzanne’s guest. And on Friday, Suzanne will interview Deborah Hopkinson and Carmella D’amico.

Follow all the authors on this exciting blog tour! Find out how to schedule your own tour with Provato Marketing.

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