JacketFlap connects you to the work of more than 200,000 authors, illustrators, publishers and other creators of books for Children and Young Adults. The site is updated daily with information about every book, author, illustrator, and publisher in the children's / young adult book industry. Members include published authors and illustrators, librarians, agents, editors, publicists, booksellers, publishers and fans. Join now (it's free).
Login or Register for free to create your own customized page of blog posts from your favorite blogs. You can also add blogs by clicking the "Add to MyJacketFlap" links next to the blog name in each post.
Blog Posts by Tag
In the past 7 days
Blog Posts by Date
Click days in this calendar to see posts by day or month
Viewing: Blog Posts from All 1564 Blogs, Most Recent at Top [Help]
Results 10,376 - 10,400 of 664,870
How to use this Page
You are viewing the most recent posts from the 1564 blogs currently in the JacketFlap Blog Reader. These posts are sorted by date, with the most recent posts at the top of the page. There are hundreds of new posts here every day on a variety of topics related to children's publishing. We have provided a variety of ways for you to navigate through the blog posts. Click the dates in the calendar on the left to view blog posts from a particular date. Scroll down through the list of Recent Posts in the left column and click on a post title that sounds interesting. Click a tag in the right column to view posts about that topic. You can view all posts from a specific blog by clicking the Blog name in the right column, or you can click a "More Posts from this Blog" link in any individual post.
My name is Kelly and I’m a re-reader. I read the same books over and over again–some books I read once every year–and I love it.
My husband doesn’t understand this. He is always reading something new. Sometimes he sees me re-reading a book and rolls his eyes a bit. He has so many questions and protests.
But there are so many new books and so little time!
True. And I read plenty of new books, too. I love tumbling head-first into a brand new book. But I believe there’s also a deep magic in reading a book again for the second, or third, or tenth time. Sometimes re-reading is medicinal; it can help heal things in my heart. I reach for old, beloved books that are tried-and-true at those times, and turn to new, unread books when I’m ready to be swept away. And finite time on Earth doesn’t factor into my decision. I already know it is impossible for me to read every book in the world before I die, and I don’t want to try. I want to read books that challenge me, that comfort me, that surprise me, that make me laugh, or cry, that touch some inner part of me. Sometimes I want to read those books twice.
But you already know what’s going to happen!
Yes. But knowing exactly what’s going to happen only amplifies the tension for me. Knowing that Jo is going to refuse Laurie doesn’t make it any less painful when it happens. (Damn you, Louisa!) In a strange way, I sometimes find myself so invested in the story that despite knowing better I’ll begin to believe that something could turn out differently this time. The emotional resonance of a story well-told is sustaining.
I don’t have the patience for that!
Then you’re missing out. Here’s the thing: the book is always the same. The words on the page are the same words, and in some books they are as familiar as my own heartbeat. I call these my comfort books. I reach for them again and again and they fill up all my hollow spots. The books are always the same, and the characters make the same choices, and the stories have the same endings, but I am the one who has changed. The best way to describe it is to quote a passage from Catcher in the Rye in which Holden describes going to the Museum of Natural History over and over:
The best thing, though, in that museum was that everything always stayed right where it was. Nobody’d move. You could go there a hundred thousand times, and that Eskimo would still be just finished catching those two fish, the birds would still be on their way south, the deers would still be drinking out of that water hole, with their pretty antlers and they’re pretty, skinny legs, and that squaw with the naked bosom would still be weaving that same blanket. Nobody’s be different. The only thing that would be different would be you. Not that you’d be so much older or anything. It wouldn’t be that, exactly. You’d just be different, that’s all. You’d have an overcoat this time. Or the kid that was your partner in line the last time had got scarlet fever and you’d have a new partner. Or you’d have a substitute taking the class, instead of Miss Aigletinger. Or you’d heard your mother and father having a terrific fight in the bathroom. Or you’d just passed by one of those puddles in the street with gasoline rainbows in them. I mean you’d be different in some way—I can’t explain what I mean. And even if I could, I’m not sure I’d feel like it.
—J.D. Salinger, Catcher in the Rye
Do you like to re-read books too, or do you always pursue new books? If you like to re-read, which books and why?
Earth Day is April 22. Here are some Earth Day trivia quizzes and activities you can do to celebrate our dear planet Earth, and help inspire your fellow humans to treat our planet with more loving care!
Still battling crazy (kinda impossible) deadlines. But I didn't want to miss MMGM so here's hoping the links are somewhat correct.
Oh--and remember, there's only one week left to take advantage of the LET THE WIND RISE pre-order giveaway. Click HERE for details.
Also, I have my first round of events this week (Arizona! Kentucky! I'm coming for you!) So if you're in either of those places and want to come see a (slightly tired) version of me, go HERE for details on my events page
Okay, now, on to the links:
- Laurisa White Reyes is GIVING AWAY a copy of A BUSS FROM LAFAYETTE. Click HERE for all the fun.
- Suzanne Warr is investigating THE INQUISITOR'S MARK. Click HERE to see why.
- Michael Gettel-Gilmartin is gushing about PILFER ACADEMY . Click HERE to see what he thought.
- Dorine White is spreading some love for NINJA BUNNY. Click HERE to read her review!
- Books 4 Learning is championing WHATEVER AFTER: FAIREST OF ALL. Click HERE to read her feature.
- Greg Pattridge is cheering for CICI RENO: #MIDDLESCHOOLMATCHMAKER. Click HERE to see what he thought. - Sonora at Destined 4 Weirdness is SEARCHING THE SKY. Click HERE to see what she thought.
- Andrea Mack is caught up in THE CASE OF THE MISSING MOONSTONE. Click HERE for her review.
- Natalie Aguirre has an interview with author Dee Gomito and a GIVEAWAY of THE BFF BUCKET LIST. Click HERE for details. (And make sure you check back on Wed. too, when she'll have an interview with author Lauren Oliver and aGIVEAWAY of THE SHRUNKEN HEAD.
- Reading Violet is highlighting THE PAGES BETWEEN US. Click HERE to see why.
- Karen Yingling also always has some awesome MMGM recommendations for you. Click HERE to which ones she picked this time!
- Joanne Fritz always has an MMGM for you. Click HERE to see what she's talking about this week.
- The Mundie Moms are always huge supporters of middle grade. Click HERE for their Mundie Kids site.
If you would like to join in the MMGM fun, all you have to do is blog about a middle grade book you love on a Monday (contests, author interviews and whatnot also count--but are most definitely not required) and email me the title of the book you're featuring and a link to your blog at SWMessenger (at) hotmail (dot) com.(Make sure you put MMGM or Marvelous Middle Grade Monday in the subject line so it gets sorted accurately--and please don't forget to say what book you're featuring) You MUST email me your link by Sunday evening in order to be included in the list of links for the coming Monday. (usually before 11pm PST is safe--but if I'm traveling it can vary. When in doubt, send early!) (Also make sure the post you send me is a new post, not one from earlier in the week. I try to keep the content fresh)
If you miss the cutoff, you are welcome to add your link in the comments on this post so people can find you, but I will not have time to update the post. Same goes for typos/errors on my part. I do my best to build the links correctly, but sometimes deadline-brain gets the best of me, and I'm sorry if it does. For those wondering why I don't use a Linky-widget instead, it's a simple matter of internet safety. The only way I can ensure that all the links lead to safe, appropriate places for someone of any age is if I build them myself. It's not a perfect system, but it allows me to keep better control.
Thank you so much for being a part of this awesome meme, and spreading the middle grade love!
*Please note: these posts are not a reflection of my own opinions on the books featured. Each blogger is responsible for their own MMGM content and I do not pre-screen reviews ahead of time, nor do I control what books they choose. I simply assemble the list based on the links that are emailed to me.
0 Comments on MMGM Links (4/18/16) as of 5/10/2016 5:20:00 AM
The following are the blog stats for 1st - 17th April, 2016
United States 6067
Ukraine 3381 France 2655 United Kingdom 2381
Russia 1216
Germany 1001
Japan 740 Romania 528
Spain 303 Poland 281
Now look at the stats for "This Week" -or, "Today" as we call it!
United States
1326
France
877
Ukraine
594
United Kingdom
418
Russia
293
Germany
217
Japan
152
Spain
84
Poland
67
Brazil
64
The first thing I noticed is that, out of the blue this month, CBO is getting views from Japan. That surprised me but I guess there are comic fans out there not just into Manga.
You'll also notice that Australia and New Zealand are nowhere to be seen, yet I know there are people in those countries viewing CBO. I've never been able to find out why their views are not recorded since in cannot be that there are not enough as on the Class Comics, AOP and Black Tower blogs views of 3-10 are shown from both.
The great Internet war rages on and CBO lost China. I got a fuzzy feeling of warmth when I saw the PRC was viewing my blog. If anyone from China still views (I know you do) -thank you.
Oddly, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong and so on are not showingt up in views but some times do on the other blogs.
Even little Pacific islands are recorded on views.
Charles, who does a lot of internet stats work involving business tells me that there are "technical and political" reasons why certain countries do not register any views. Doing stuff that to me is total gobble-dee-gook, Charles tells me my "traffic analysis and feeds" (I'm controlling traffic and feeding what now???) show that I can "double the daily stats to show a more accurate page views figure". Well, that sounds nice and he can prove it with all the internet mumbo-jumbo but I stick with what I see and my brain is not built to deal with jumbles of numbers!
It took Mr Dilworth to explain to me when CBO had gone over a million views because dyscalculie means all I see is a jumble of numbers which don't mean much.
But I thought it might be interesting to also show the "All Time" (ie. from 2010 when CBO was a "back-up" page and I never started posting here until the WordPress CBO closed down in 2012 as you can see -postings 2010 =33 2011 =229 2012 = 541 which you can find to the right) views.
China 1127993
United States 435727
United Kingdom 108197
France 72586
Ukraine 57757
Russia 53805
Germany 50312
Bulgaria 17827
Romania 12416
Netherlands 9592
Views from the UK tend to be sporadic and in the daily views the UK is usually listed between fifth and tenth position. It is interesting that the views have shot up after I've posted items on UK comics and publishing. I can't even begin to guess why but they are obviously striking a note somewhere.
The highest number of page views since our Chinese friends lost their way here are, surprisingly, from the United States. I write "surprisingly" because there arte a LOT of American comic blogs. Okay, most seem to deal with DC, Marvel, Image of That other company and even Manga. I think it shows that a lot of American comickers are not just "American four colour nuts" as one person put it. Also, more Americans seem to want to join groups I run and, to date, have been polite, enquiring and willing to learn more.
I really did not expect to get that many views from the United States so -THANK YOU.
Now, I don't check the stats for numbers daily but I do so to see "which countries" and "Now Viewing" is quite interesting at times. I still worry about the two viewers in Antarctica no longer showing up. I have images of two men in Arctic wear during a clearing in the blizzard and one saying: "Hey -we found one of those UFOs people keep talking about!"
But the top ten each day is usually the United States followed by Russia, Ukraine, Germany, France, Netherlands, Bulgaria, Romania, Spain and UK -in no particular order (no favourites!). Again, there are blogs in these countries so why CBO? I know that with France a lot of comickers like to check out the Cinebook editions and, when I used to have them sent, the reviews of Casterman BD because it seems French companies tend not to show preview pages. BD Gest (on the blog list) shows pages but with Casterman I was showing pages of books they weren't.
Now these are all "high views" countries. Oh, if 1% of them bought a copy of one of my books!!
Also, I know some of those views (don't ask because I just shall not tell you!) are from publishers in those countries.
But I get no sales nor offers of work.......I have tears running down my cheeks, guys!
However, not even 1% of those viewing CBO ever comment (those of you who do -my "regulars" as I like to call you because, like prunes, you keep me going. Uh, yeah, maybe not as complimentary sounding as I intended).
Now you have to realise that I love analysing facts and details to draw conclusions. So, never hearing what draws you to CBO leaves me perplexed. A friend (I have a casual friend so there) said "Just do the blog because you enjoy it or want to say something" so I do. I still get perplexed, though!
So, I suppose it's a case of carrying on as I have been doing.
If you enjoy the posts then fair enough. And if you ever want to check the online store....or even offer work.....
Many of the folks who utilize BookBub are self-published, and because we hear over and over the need for self-published authors to have their work edited, It seemed to me that it could be educational to take a hard look at their first pages. If you don’t know about BookBub, it’s a pretty nifty way to try to build interest in your work. The website is here.
I’m mostly sampling books that are offered for free—BookBub says that readers are 10x more likely to click on a book that’s offered for free than a discounted book. Following is the first page and a poll. Then my comments follow, along with the book cover, the author’s name, and a link so you can take a look for yourself if you wish. At Amazon you can click on the Read More feature to get more of the chapter if you’re interested. There’s a second poll concerning the need for an editor.
Should this author have hired an editor? Here’s the first chapter page from a free novel by Sean Platt & Johnny B. Truant. It was promoted as a thriller.
The man in the light-blue robes circled the park’s fountain with no particular sense of hurry. His bare, bloodstained feet took slow, steady strides, imparting a sense of purpose in his apparent aimlessness. He looked like a man with nowhere to be and nowhere to go … whose lack of destination carried its own agenda. Like Shavasana, the so-called yogic corpse pose in which doing nothing at all is the challenge, the man seemed to be testing discipline through lack of activity.
As the man walked, his blue robe (a peculiar color for such as him, with his shaved head and Zen bearing) swayed above his feet, a saffron sash occasionally peeking at his waist. He looked mostly down, not around, as if praying, or perhaps concentrating. A small, serene smile was on his dark-skinned face, and his eyes sparkled. He didn’t seem precisely happy, but he definitely didn’t seem unhappy. If anything, his bearing was one of acceptance. Of rightness. Of a deep knowledge that things in the world and the universe were as they should be, and that he knew how to work within that system, how to move, how to be, how to foster a sense of fulfillment. As people passed and nodded to him, the man would press his hands together in front of his chest and make a small bow with a smile — the gesture of namaste, which was intended not just as a greeting, but as his soul’s acknowledgement, centered in his heart chakra, of the other person’s soul.
This book received an average Amazon rating of 4.8 stars. I had mixed feelings about this opening. The writing is just fine, the voice distant but also fitting for a religious character. Without the bloodstained feet I’m not sure I would have turned the page, but with that as a tantalizer and the professional, if leisurely, approach to introducing me to this mysterious character, I did want to know what he would do next. So I turned the page, and I think I’ll be reading the book. What did you think?
Did this writer need an editor? My notes and a poll follow. You can turn the page here.
ters and dilemmas expands as the novel progresses, culminating in a rewarding ending that highlights the importance of embracing emotions, curiosity, and measured choices.”
“This book is wise and wonderful.” – William Alexander, National Book Award-winning author of Goblin Secrets
“Mesmerizing . . . This is an adventure story, yes, but it is something more—it is a story of the transformational power of curiosity, tenacity, and courage.” – Kelly Barnhill, author of The Witch’s Boy
“The carse is a dark, foreboding place within a creepily blissful land. Like Aon and Jeniah, I felt myself drawn there . . . A compelling examination of what it means to be sad while finding unexpected happiness.” – Sarah Prineas, author of the Magic Thief series
“The Secret of Dreadwillow Carse is a deep, lyrical, satisfying story that will stay with you long after you have finished it.” –Sage Blackwood, author of the Jinx trilogy
Unwrapping the content...
First off let me begin by saying I loved the book and secondly I just want to add that in my opinion this book would make a terrific movie. Having taught the recommended age group I know that they all would be captivated by this book but better yet? I would love as a classroom teacher or a librarian to read it aloud to my students. I know they would be enthralled by the tale from the very first paragraph to the very last one.
The main characters are 12 year old girls which I applaud and both need each other to complete the adventure that is set before them. The duo are full of curiosity, questions, bravery and strength all components needed to solve the secret of Dreadwillow Carse. In the centre of Emberfell, a place where happiness rules and nobody feels sadness, anxious, scared or any negative emotions, lies the Dreadwillow Carse. This dark forboding bog is strictly off limits to the residents there and has a warning sign that reads: "If any monarch entered Dreadwillow Carse, then the Monarchy will fall." Princess Jeniah longs to know what the bog is hiding that could possibly destroy her family's thousand-year reign of peace and prosperity. Because she is about to become Queen because her beloved mother is dying, she presses forward to unravel the mystery that hangs over her upcoming duty as Queen. The Princess by chance meets a commoner, a girl named Aon, who is different from everyone else who lives in Emberfell. Aon can feel grief and sorrow. She feels the full range of emotions and the only word she can find to describe herself is that is "Broken." She determines herself to go into the carse all on her own to find out why she alone experiences these feelings. Together the girls devise a plan to send Aon (a surrogate for the Princess) into the deep dark bog and find out what mystery its been hiding all those years. Each time Aon enters she gets bolder and bolder. The deeper she goes into the heart of the bog more and more things are revealed to her. Then one time.... she doesn't come out. Oh my! Poor Princess Jeniah is guilt-stricken and terrified when she is told of her friend's predicament. The Princess rushes off to try to rescue Aon even if the results may lead to the total destruction of her Monarchy. The power of the bond of their friendship trumps the success and continuation of her rule as the next Queen of Emberfell. The plot is very well written and the characters are so believable. The author encourages the reader to always ask why, to explore their potential, and share it with others. "He feels leaders that stop questioning, and just accept the obvious, who say things to be popular, who act purely with good intentions but aren't guided by critical thinking - aren't doing their jobs. Leading is so much more than just making decisions and telling people what to do. Leadership, without empathy and critical thinking, is dangerous. And that's exactly what Jeniah and Aon, in "The Secret of Dreadwillow Carse, come to realize." I highly, highly recommend this book. Good to the last word.
About the author...
Brian Farrey is the author of the Vengekeep Prophecies series and the Stonewall honor book With Or Without You. He knows more than he probably should about Doctor Who. He lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, with his husband and their cat, Meowzebub.
I put hours of work finding the best kid's books to review for you each day. If you enjoy visiting Storywraps and would like to donate something for my time and effort I would greatly appreciate it.
Go to the top of my blog on the right hand corner (above my photo) and please donate what you feel lead to give. The amount you donate and the frequency you donate is totally up to you. I thank you in advance for your support. I love what I do and appreciate any amount that you may give so I can make our community even better. Thanks a million!
Read on and read always!
It's a wrap.
0 Comments on The Secret of Dreadwillow Carse - a bookwrap as of 4/18/2016 10:02:00 AM
It’s my absolute pleasure to introduce you to baby Theo, born March 11th. We’re doing really well as a new family and he is loving all of his wonderful books. He’s especially a big fan of Oliver Jeffers so far, from what I can tell. Or maybe I’m just projecting.
Theo’s entrance was a whirlwind. He was born about three and a half hours after we got to the hospital. He’s now smiling, eating, sleeping, and going through diapers like he owns Pampers stock. We just put his newborn clothes away because they got too small. There’s this little rhinoceros onesie that made me cry as I packed it up. I can’t believe I’ll never see this kid in it again! I can’t wait for him to grow and learn and become his own little person, but I don’t want him to age another minute. He has already gained three pounds since birth. Oy!
Spring has sprung in Minneapolis, finally, and I’ve been taking him on walks around our lake with our two dogs in tow. They are fiercely protective of their little brother, and can’t wait to be his best friends for life, once he’s more able to play.
My freelance editorial business is still up and running, in case you’ve been curious about my services. I have been working from home since 2005, so I’m always working, and never working at the same time. Other freelancers will know what I mean! It’s a juggling act but I am more than used to it.
Life is great! Some of you probably read my post about the journey to get here. I’m happy to report that it was all worth it, and that I’d do it all again tomorrow because motherhood has brought me so much* already in these five short weeks. Thank you to everyone here for your support and good wishes. Back to our scheduled programming next week!
Sun, 20:39: There has been a tremendous earthquake in Ecuador. Our Rotary District 7790 (parts of Maine and Quebec) has done... https://t.co/Ot0kuuPZmt
When I look back, I am so impressed again with the life-giving power of literature. If I were a young person today, trying to gain a sense of myself in the world, I would do that again by reading, just as I did when I was young.
– Maya Angelou
Click through to sign up for my quarterly newsletter and you’ll receive a free printable from my novel, Blue Birds. Enjoy!
By Joseph Bruchac and James Bruchac; illustrated by Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey
I’m sure I’ve seen a chipmunk or two scurrying across the farm fields this spring, so when I saw this picture book, his look started to make perfect sense to me – in its literary back story.
Most cultures have explanations in story form of how things got the way they are in nature.
And, this particular tale finds its roots in a widely told one among Native American Indians, as the Author Notes point out.
Young readers will love the toe-to-toe or paw-to-paw boasting contest, between a bear that boasts he is the strongest of all the animals and can do anything and a small, Brown Squirrel that says, Not!
The Brown Squirrel even has the temerity to ask the question that ups the ante of the word, “anything.”
“Can you tell the sun not to rise
tomorrow morning?” Brown Squirrel
asked.
And the gauntlet is thrown down as Bear says Yea! and squirrel says Nay!
Bear’s chanting fills the night air with:
The sun will not come up, hummph!
The sun will not come up, hummph!
And Brown Squirrel counters this boast with his own:
The sun is going to rise, oooh!
The sun is going to rise, oooh!
The entire forest family is awake all night to see who will win!
Young readers will love seeing the Fox, Wolf, Deer, Moose, Rabbit and Porcupine, keeping watch till “dawn’s early light,” finally, and inevitably, reveals the winner.
And, it’s that cheeky Brown Squirrel, of course!
But, can he be gracious in victory, as his wise grandmother has previously advised, with the shared wisdom of age?
Nope!
He has to begin teasing the Bear:
Bear is foolish, the sun came up.
Bear is silly, the sun came up
Bear is stupid, the sun –
And, as the chant increases in tease-worthy words, so the Bear’s anger increases to the point of….
Well, now that would be telling the entire tale, wouldn’t it?
Suffice to say, that both animals learn a lasting lesson, though it seems the Brown Squirrel wears his for the rest of his life for all to see.
Both boasting and teasing don’t pay in the short or long term, is the moral for Bear and Squirrel aka Chipmunk, in James and Joseph Bruchac’s tale of a striped tail.
It was named an NCSS-CBC Notable Trade book in the field of Social Studies, as well as “Parenting Magazine” deeming it a “Reading-Magic Award Winner.
And Kirkus Reviews had this to say:
The Bruchacs translate the orality
of the tale to written text beautifully.
Aruego and Dewey’s signature cart-
toon-like illustrations extend the
humor of the text perfectly.
This terrific tale called “How a Chipmunk Got His Stripes,” has a gentle and humorous way of imparting a “life lesson” that may calm both boasting and teasing in your household for a bit.
Rachel Hawkins is a long-time favorite of mine. Her books feel so funny and fresh, and her current Rebel Belle series features a girl who suddenly discovers supernatural powers that allow her to be a kickass guardian–but who was also raised to be a genteel southern belle. To complicate things further, the person she’s supposed to protect is her cute nemesis-turned-boyfriend David, who’s gone on the run and won’t let her protect him. What’s a girl to do? And will the aunts pack enough cookies for her road trip to find him? To celebrate the release of the last book of the series, we’re pleased to welcome Rachel Hawkins to blog today as part of the Lady Renegades tour! She’s here to talk about humor in young adult books, which came about in a roundabout way from a tweet from Rachel that sparked a conversation about why funny YA can... Read more »
When we think about well-being among older adults, how often do we think about their oral health as being an important component? In reviews of risk factors for low well-being among older adults, oral health is never explicitly mentioned, although other health conditions and disease states are often discussed.
Roger365 emailed me to say that "certain persons" on a UK comic site, mentioned my posting yesterday. The quote is: "He really is delusional because the UK comics industry is thriving -but he's admitted to having 'mental problems' before so not unexpected."
I'd have to ask who is delusional?? But you can see the mentality at work here -and going unchallenged as always by everyone reading it. I do know that 'friends' are on these groups but cowardly say nothing and it's a reason I have nothing to do with the "UK comic scene".
As for "mental problems" -I have never "admitted" to having any. I have actually stated outright and been perfectly frank about this for more than 30 years. I have manic depression or whate-ever buzz word you want to use "bi-polar"? Never affected my work in the least, in fact I've done some great work while "under" a cloud. Despite the bad reputation Stephen Fry may have given bi-polar people, we do not all open our mouths, spew shit and later say "Well, it's this depression". Everything I write is backed up by facts which is why these gutter slimes try to use the "he's a mental!" response (about 15 times in the last five years apparently). I really don't care but I know for a fact that some of the comic creators on these sites who keep quiet and allow this suffer from depression. I know because I've helped some of them. So they keep their "dirty little secret" because they do not (in 2016!) want to be called names and rather than saying "Look, you can't say that in this day and age" they allow a false stigma to continue.
There, my friends, is why I washed my hands of the UK comic scene because there are very few if any comic fans involved. And I did write that after the last posting I expected this.
But Roger365 -if you are an adult PLEASE use your name when communicating with real people- also made it clear that certain persons were saying "This stuff aboute(sic) no sales and no money is a sympathy ruse to get sales and that youve made a lot from your books"
I have, several times, because I am an open publisher, posted a full year's "revenue report" -or "lack of revenue report". The Tax Office gets this so why not the public as I've nothing to hide? So here is the current statement:
You need to remember that, like the stats on CBO, I have no control of the POD site and what it shows. So this is, sadly, fact. The same for the last quarter and the quarter before that.
Why no Black Tower books sell I have no idea. They get wide enough publicity -every posting seen by thousands and not just in the UK. CBO has a world-wide readership as I've pointed out before. People seeing the books first hand comment on the high quality of printing and content.
Now, if -if- we were in a "thriving" UK comics industry you would, statistically, expect 10-20 in a poor year as people checked out what was available but, no. Nothing. I was the biggest buyer of my own books for reviewers and friends and I stopped the review copies because the people who asked for review copies were not reviewing nor mentioning -just grabbing freebies.
I actually feel very bad about this because I work with some great artists but they are seeing no sales nor money. And, to prove a point, I have made it clear to all of them that if they can find a paying publisher for the work anywhere I will withdraw the BTCG book. Also, artists have full rights to the artwork so they could sell it to make money.
Hopefully, that has cleared a few things up. You hear rumours ignore them. Come ask ME.
Have you ever wanted to take a trip to the cloud forest? Explore the Andes of Ecuador? Discover a new species? Well, you’re in luck.
With¡Olinguito, de la A a la Z! / Olinguito from A to Z! travel to the unique world of the cloud forest and discover the bounty of plants, animals, and other organisms that live there as you help a zoologist look for the elusive olinguito, the first new mammal species identified in the Americas since 1978.
But the adventure doesn’t stop there. Anyone can learn to be an explorer in their own backyard with the FREEOlinguito Activity Kitand Teacher’s Guide. Learn more about the cloud forest and other ecosystems, including all of the important animals and the adaptations that help them survive in their environment with the many interdisciplinary ideas, projects, and engaging activities.
Content themes and subjects covered:
ecosystems and habitats
biodiversity
animal classification and adaptation
vertebrates and invertebrates
competition and predation
world geography
Here’s a preview of the types of engaging projects and activities you can find in the Olinguito Activity Kit and Teacher’s Guide:
Observe an Ecosystem!
You will need:
a notebook
a pen or pencil
a camera
a thick, old paperback book
Make note of the time of day you are making your observations. Is it morning, afternoon, or night?
Record all the plants and organisms you see, including trees, shrubs, bushes, grasses, ferns, mosses, and lichens.
Record all the animals you see in the area, including insects, arachnids, mollusks, reptiles, birds and mammals.
Gather fresh leaves of different shapes from trees and shrubs and put each separately between two pages of the paperback book. You may also gather small, colorful flowers or flower petals and put them between pages of the book.
Take photos of any animals you see.
Once you are back inside, place the paperback book under a pile of heavy books for a week or two to let you pressed leaves and flowers dry.
Design a Cloud Forest Travel Brochure!
Have students research cloud forests in the Andes and create an informative and persuasive travel brochure. Include headings, subheadings, pictures, maps, and informative captions.
Where are the cloud forests located?
What plants and animals live there?
Why are cloud forests valued or important?
What is the climate like?
What will people see there?
What environmental and human threats do they face?
Why should someone make the cloud forest his or her next vacation destination?
Create a Cloud Forest Alphabet or Glossary Book:
card stock
hole puncher
string or twine
art decorating supplies (crayons, colored pencils, markers. etc.)
Alphabet Book: include the featured letter, a picture or drawing of the featured plant or animal, and the name of the plant or animal.
Plant/Animal Glossary Book: include the name of the plant or animal, a picture or drawing of the featured plant or animal, and an informative description of the plant or animal: where does it live? what does it eat? how is it classified (plant or animal, vertebrate or invertebrate, etc.)?
For more fun and exciting activity ideas, including I-Spy Fun and learning to create you own pressed leaf print, check out and download the FREE Olinguito Activity Kit and Teacher’s Guide.
You can purchase a copy of ¡Olinguito, de la A a la Z! / Olinguito, from A to Z! : Descubriendo el bosque nublado / Unveiling the Cloud Forest on our website here.
Veronicahas a degree from Mount Saint Mary College and joined LEE & LOW in the fall of 2014. She has a background in education and holds a New York State childhood education (1-6) and students with disabilities (1-6) certification. When she’s not wandering around New York City, you can find her hiking or hanging out with her dog Milo in her hometown in the Hudson Valley, NY.
0 Comments on How to Be an Explorer in Your Own Backyard: The Olinguito Activity Kit and Teacher’s Guide as of 1/1/1900
Many people think that 'art' has to fit into one of three categories. It has to be a piece of music, a painting or a drawing, or a sculpture. However, there are other forms of art that might not fit into one of these pigeon holes. What about a piece of furniture or a quilt? What about a basket or a glass vase? What about a wrought iron gate or a musical instrument? What about a tree or shrub that has been clipped and clipped until it looks like an animal or some lovely shape? All of these things are also works of art, and all of them can, and do, enrich out lives. In this picture book we see how a topiary artist manages, one topiary at a time, to bring beauty to the lives of people who so desperately need something in their world that will uplift them.
The Night Gardener
Terry and Eric Fan
Picture Book
For ages 6 and up
Simon and Schuster, 2016, 978-1-4814-3978-7
Grimloch Lane is a rather sad place. The homes are ramshackle, weeds grow up through cracks in the sidewalk, and the people who live there don’t really connect with one another. One night, while everyone in the lane is asleep, a man gets to work on one of the trees that stands outside the Grimloch Orphanage.
When William looks out his window in the morning he sees that something is going on outside so he goes to investigate. What he discovers is that someone has clipped a tree next to the orphanage so that it looks like a beautiful owl. William is entranced by the topiary owl and he gazes at it all day long. When he goes to sleep that night he does so “with a sense of excitement.”
The following morning another tree on Grimoloch Lane has been turned into a work of art. This time the topiary makes the tree look like a cat at rest.
Each day a new topiary appears, and now the people living in Grimloch Lane have something to look forward to. They gather to admire their beautiful topiaries and “Something good” starts to happen to everyone who sees the special trees.
We tend to think that real change can only happen when something really big happens, but sometimes change can come about when a little piece of magic is added to our lives. As the story in this book unfolds, we see how the introduction of beauty affects the people who live in a place that has so little beauty and happiness to offer. Best of all, the instrument of change is not someone who is rich and powerful, instead he is a humble person who just happens to have a gift for turning already lovely trees into gorgeous works of art.
By any common definition, Trump’s statements and policies are racist. Yet we are researchers on implicit bias—largely unconscious, mostly automatic social biases that can affect people’s behavior even when they intend to treat others fairly regardless of their social group identity.
My daughter has been encouraging me to adopt a vegetarian diet. I do make an effort to eat meatless often, but a completely vegan or vegetarian diet takes a certain amount of commitment that I've never been willing to expend. Recently, this same daughter (she is both environmentally conscious and persuasive) talked me into watching the documentary, Cowspiracy. (I challenge you to watch this and not be affected.) In any case, The Forest Feast for Kids landed on my shelf in time to take advantage of my renewed interest in vegetarianism. Good timing, Forest Feast!
From the whimsically painted watercolor endpapers and chapter title pages to the lusciously photographed finished recipes, The Forest Feast for Kids is a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach. These are recipes that are as beautiful to present as they are healthy to eat.
Contents in this generously sized book contain cookbook standards - table of contents, index, introduction, and pages of helpful hints and cooking techniques. The chapters run the gamut of gastronomic needs: Snacks, Drinks, Salads, Meals, Sweets, and Parties. Each chapter contains about six recipes, each one displayed on across two pages. The left page has a painted recipe title, simple instructions in a large typewriter font, handwritten notes offering serving hints, "cut into wedges and enjoy hot!" , and hand-drawn arrows pointing to the appropriate ingredient photo (not every child may recognize a cilantro leaf or bay leaf). Photos are not insets or bordered, they are part of a lovely integrated palette of ingredients and text. Beautiful photos of the finished dishes appear on the facing page.
Simplicity of ingredients (most recipes have only four) combined with attractive presentation make these recipes irresistible not only to young chefs, but also to harried caregivers who would love to put a healthy, attractive meal on the table, but have trouble finding the time. I know that I'll be making Strawberry-Cucumber Ribbon Salad soon!
Enjoy!
I've never seen the adult version of the same book. I'm willing to bet that it's equally wonderful!
0 Comments on The Forest Feast for Kids - a review as of 4/18/2016 7:47:00 AM
Today I thought I would celebrate the wonderful design that goes on at Marks & Spencer. This UK high street favourite was founded in 18 but it's print designs are bang up to date. Here a selection of geometric patterns on stationery caught my eye along with some bold typography. Also show is a softer more feminine range in pink and grey with stylish flowers and gold lettering. All items are
0 Comments on STATIONERY - marks & spencer as of 1/1/1900
And also from Marks and Spencer today a selection of their latest children's prints. This graphic ice cream print stood out on girls pajamas as being something original and different, and there are more interesting new arrivals with seaside patterns, colourful birds, Mexican inspired designs, animals, dinosaurs, fruit, and of course florals.
0 Comments on KIDS DESIGN - marks & spencer as of 1/1/1900
Catching up with some lyrics that are poems all by themselves. I know it's not May yet, but here's Natalie Merchant again, with 10,000 Maniacs and line breaks by me.
These Are Days
These are the days.
These are days
you'll remember. Never before and never since,
I promise,
will the whole world be warm as this. And as you feel it,
you'll know it's true
that you are blessed and lucky. It's true
that you are touched by something
that will grow and bloom in you.
These are days
you'll remember. When May is rushing over you
with desire
to be part of the miracles you see
in every hour. You'll know it's true
that you are blessed and lucky. It's true
that you are touched by something
that will grow and bloom in you.
These are days.
These are the days you might fill with laughter
until you break. These days you might feel a shaft of light
make its way across your face. And when you do
you'll know how it was meant to be. See the signs and know their meaning. It's true,
you'll know how it was meant to be. Hear the signs
and know they're speaking to you,
to you.
Play loud, like the sunrise and the leafing trees and the sprawling tulips.
"These Are Days" by Natalie Merchant and Rob Buck
from the album Our Time in Eden, 1992
0 Comments on npm pmmu #18: caught up in the green as of 1/1/1900
In the 21st century, “show-me-the-bodies” seems a cruel and outdated foundation for public policy. Yet history is littered with examples—like tobacco and asbestos—where only after the death toll mounts is the price of inaction finally understood to exceed that of action.
My dear friend and Illustrator Coordinator cohort for many years Susan Eaddy (I was the Southern region, she was Midsouth - although she's now Regional Advisor) tacked a few days on to her Bologna trip to come stay with me and Stan in Edinburgh. No rest for the weary, we had more playing to do! And since it's spring break at the Uni, I really could play! But first, we had to get to Edinburgh. Our original plans had a layover in Amsterdam, with which we'd hoped to pop into the city for some brief sight-seeing. Sadly, the airline had overbooked our flight and had to reroute us through Paris. With the change, it was a day of pure travel with no time to leave the airports, but we did get some vouchers for the inconvenience. (I know, I know, get out the tiny violins.) This was lunch in Bologna.
And truly, we were so tired, we barely noticed where we were. (This is Paris.)
But finally we made it home. HOME!
I don't know that Susan saw these, but I love the sculptures at our wee airport.
Along with our home flowers, the thistle.
Susan and I fell over when we got to my flat, but somehow awoke the next morning raring to go. I planned a packed itinerary for Susan's short stay... Day 1 was all about being a tourist in Edinburgh. It began on the Royal Mile with a right and proper Scottish breakfast, which consists of sausages, mushrooms, beans, scrambled eggs, a roasted tomato, black pudding, haggis, bacon, potato scone and toast. I need to replace this with the photo of Susan - because this is her breakfast and she ate all of it!
Then we went to the castle! The castle sits smack dab in the middle of town on top of a long-dormant volcano. You can never get lost in Edinburgh because the castle is always visible.
It's also why you never trust Google maps in this town, as it doesn't take into account altitude. It's a hike to get up there!
Believe it or not, but I hadn't been to the castle yet. I was waiting for exactly this sort of moment, to share it with a friend. You walk up the Royal Mile and the castle sits at the top at the far end of an enormous esplanade, where they hold the Royal Military Tattoo each August.
The views are AMAZING.
I made a short video of it... ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––INSERT VIDEO HERE–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– We bought our tickets online before we left the flat, so were able to walk right in through the Castle Gatehouse. That's Robert the Bruce on the left and William Wallace on the right.
Inside, the buildings date from the 1800s, all the way back to the 1100s. And many of the items have left the castle, been returned to the castle, or were sent to the castle later. For instance, the Scottish crown jewels, which were smuggled to safety during Cromwell's time (he melted down everything he could get his hands on to pay his troops); the Stone of Scone or the Stone of Destiny, which will be loaned to England when Charles is crowned King; and the cannons are from Napolean's ships and have happily never been fired on any of the view below them.
Although, there is one cannon they fire off at 1:00pm each day to help folks keep time. Why not at noon? Because that requires 11 more rounds of shot, and the Scottish are... *ahem*...thrifty. Seriously. Several buildings stand as war memorials where books contain the names of those lost. Out of respect, photos aren't allowed inside. Outside, the building is gorgeous and a fitting tribute.
There's even a cemetery for the soldier's dogs.
We saw Mary Queen of Scots' chambers - quite lovely. And we saw family trees which try to explain the lineage of Kings and Queens. Good luck figuring that one out. Although GAME OF THRONES is supposedly modeled after the struggles between the Thorn and the Rose. (Click the image to watch on Youtube.)
One of the most intimidating rooms in the castle was the dining hall, where they keep an extensive collection of weapons. It looked like the perfect set for the Red Wedding.
Again, most of these weapons were sent to the castle later. Although I have to admit, many of them looked well-used. ACK.
There was so much to see and do, we truly could have stayed at the castle all day, which we nearly did, because we didn't want to miss the WEDDING - a real one!!! (Coming soon...)
.jpeg?picon=2982)
.jpg?picon=3687){kind=tracking}
