A weekly column from children’s author Simon Rose

Study guides are free for teachers to download and use either before an author visit or just as a teaching resource. Even those in schools that you may never visit might buy your books or even purchase a class set and use the study guide. The guides describe potential projects related to the books. The Sorcerers’ Letterbox and The Heretic’s Tomb are set in the Middle Ages so teachers can do projects about medieval life, castles, research the Black Death and other historical events. The plot of The Alchemist’s Portrait involves an art gallery in a museum and students can be asked to draw inspiration from classic paintings. Children can create superheroes and comic books using The Emerald Curse or even invent their own unique board game.

I also have free word search puzzles for children to download at any time, although I also encourage teachers to make use of them before an author visit, to familiarize the children with me and my work.

Teachers can also access The Super Scavenger Search, where the answers to a series of mind boggling questions are hidden in different pages all over my website. This not only allows the students to learn about me prior to a visit and thus have lots of great questions, but also boosts traffic to most pages of your website.

I even offer workshops for teachers so that they can learn a little about the value of my workshops and appreciate how much children enjoy them.

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Cruise on over to Write What Inspires You at: www.donna-mcdine.blogspot.com and learn about Book Reviews, Guest Interviews, Media Releases, and Virtual Tours for November and December 2009.

Take the time out and follow along with the schedule below:

Monday, November 16th – Fish For a Free Book by Lori Calabrese

Wednesday, November 18th – Book Review: The Crypto-Capers in the Case of the Missing Sock, by Renee Hand

Friday, November 20th – Book Review: The Crypto-Capers in the Case of the Red Rock Canyon, by Renee Hand

Monday, November 23rd – Guest Interview: Children’s Author, Renee Hand

Tuesday, November 24th – Write What Inspires You Newsletter

Thursday, November 26th – Happy Thanksgiving

Monday, November 30th – Book Review: Bitter Tastes, by V.B. Rosendahl

Tuesday, December 1st – Media Release: Nicole Weaver Introduces Fun With French and Spanish

Wednesday, December 3rd – Virtual Book Tour and Book Review: Just Breeze by Beverly Stowe McClure

Monday, December 7th – Media Release: Poets Suggest The Real Thing Should Compete with Greeting Cards, Carolyn Howard-Johnson

Wednesday, December 9th – Book Review: Ten Hats A Counting Book by Carolyn Mott Ford

Friday, December 11th – Book Review: The Canada Goose and You by Jennifer S. Burrows

Monday, December 14th - Tricks of the Trade: Learn to Write for Children in Just Six Weeks – My personal experience Part 1

Wednesday, December 16th - Tricks of the Trade: Learn to Write for Children in Just Six Weeks – My personal experience Part 2

Friday, December 17th - Tricks of the Trade: Learn to Write for Children in Just Six Weeks – My personal experience Part 3

Mark your calendar today, stop by for a spell, and comment if you are so inclined - www.donna-mcdine.blogspot.com.

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 Kamkwamba is the actual boy who harnessed the wind.

It’s hard to imagine, as 2009 draws to a close, that there are people who live daily without electricity and running water. It’s hard to imagine communities without free public education, but that’s reality in many countries.

So what made a boy ask, “How does electricity work?”

Even in William’s native Malawi, people have battery-powered radios and bicycle dynamos. His best friend, the son of a local chief, lives in a house with limited government-supplied electricity. The Kamkwamba family depends on their mastery of the “wilderness skills” I am learning and practicing.

While William has no access to computers, he does have access to a library and a mind capable of grasping advanced physics.

This is what happens to books that find their way to places like Recycled Reads and Project Schoolhouse.

As I embrace the rebalancing of my nature life and my writing life, this book gives me a true sense of perspective. When tempted to despair at the human capacity for greed and corrption, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind gives me renewed hope for the human spirit and faith that creativity will prevail over brutality.

I’m on my third read-through. I still cannot grasp the physics that seem to clear to William. But I am grateful to the writers and entrepreneurs and other leaders that helped bring this remarkable true story to life.

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J. J. Murphy is a freelance writer who helps a variety of companies, small businesses and individuals express their awareness and dedication to developing sustainable technology and to preserve our natural resources. Learn more about her and her writing services at www.writerbynature.com.

A weekly column from children’s author Simon Rose

If you plan on doing school and library vists, you do, of course, have to let people know that. A website is a must these days and without one, you might as well not exist professionally. The section of your website by which you intend to to secure school visits needs to be enticing and filled with details if you are hoping to get teachers and librarians interested enough to contact you. Details of my school visits are HERE and I also have pages including comments on my appeances at schools from children and teachers, as mentioned last week.

My website has a LIST of all the schools I have ever visted, as well as some libraries, festivals and young writer’s conferences, since many of these also have websites, where a visit that took place several years ago will be archived, which all increases your visibility on the web.

I have information on the books on my website, including the background and influences behind the stories. This can be a good selling point when you are trying get the teachers interested in a visit. The Emerald Curse, for example, is all about the comic book genre and teachers are often very fond of this topic, considered a good way to reach reluctant boy readers. I also have pages devoted to the historical background of The Sorcerer’s Letterbox and The Heretic’s Tomb, since the medieval period is also often of interest to teachers. The Doomsday Mask background page deals with the end of the Second World War, the city of Atlantis, ancient mysteries, crystal skulls and so on. The more interesting you can make your material, the better your chances of attracting someone’s attention. My website has study guides to all my books, as well as puzzles about each novel and an online scavenger search.

I do post articles about my school vists on my own blog periodically to draw people to my website and also regularly post on Facebook, Twitter and other places online about my school and library programs. I also have flyers about all my services, as well as business cards, on my table at any book signing events I do in the run up to Christmas. You never know who might be listening.

Stories for Children Magazine’s mascot, Stanley Bookman recently made a surprise visit to the J.C. Lamb Morning Show and delighted the studio audience with his rendition of the SFC theme song written by SFC’s poetry and fiction editor, Gayle Jacobson-Huset.

Producer, LeFerna Arnold Walch was delighted to have Stanley Bookman stop by especially since he stopped by on “Knowledge” theme day which fit in perfect with J.C.’s love for book collecting! Stanley told us all about the magazine’s book The Best of Stories for Children Magazine and introduced us to his new music video and sing-a-long song. We really enjoyed our interview with Stanley and we think you will, too.

Be sure to listen in at: http://jclamb.podbean.com and learn all about this exciting day at the J.C. Lamb Morning Show.

You may download his free coloring page, the ten simple rules and the lyrics to his new song with this podcast, or go to Stanley’s new artist page at The Character Studio Dot Com.

Please feel free to leave your comments!

Learn more about Stories for Children Magazine at: http://storiesforchildrenmagazine.org

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 bus so special for kids. Many kids think that school buses are mundane and merely functional. Singer’s story will transform every child’s idea of a school bus. One of the striking features of Singer’s story is how she personifies the bus.

The bus is always ready to drive the kids to and from school each morning and take them home in the afternoon. And in between those pick-ups and drop-offs, the bus spends time with other parked buses or driving around town.

The book is written rhythmically to involve the young reader. Each page is chock full of words that are pleasing to the ear and pictures that are vivid and colorful to the eye. Who would think that a school bus could make a child so happy and content?

The artwork and illustrations in the book are mesmerizing as well. Polenhi is a gifted artist. The cover of the book includes a picture of a big, yellow school bus. The front of the bus is painted as a face with the windshields the two eyes and the top of hood is the nose while under the hood is the mouth.

When I think back to my own school bus experiences, I wish I had read a great school bus story like this. I can still remember some of the cold and uncomfortable bus rides that I had on my way to and from school. Singer’s book might have helped to make my bus rides much more enjoyable. And I’m sure it will do the same for all the kids who read this book.

About the author: Marilyn Singer is the author of more than 80 books for children in many genres. She has won several Children’s Choice and Parents’ Choice awards, as well as a Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award Honour Book prize for Creature Carnival. Her picture book City Lullaby was recently cited by Time magazine as one of the top Ten Children’s Books for 2007. Singer lives in Washington, Connecticut, and Brooklyn, New York, where there are many school buses.

About the Illustrator: Evan Polenghi is the art director for the Learning Maestros, a children’s music publishing company. In addition, Evan has created designs for Gap Kids and Baby Gap. His illustrations have appeared in the Chicken Socks book Eye Find, and have been part of many popular advertising campaigns, including print media for Toshiba and American Express. Polenghi lives in New York City.

About the Reviewer: Irene S. Roth is a freelance writer for kids and young adults. She has articles which will be published in Girls’ Life and Boys’ Life. For more information about her, and to read some of her reflections on writing, visit her online at www.sites.google.com/site/irenerothfreelancewriter. Also visit her blog at: www.szabowska.wordpress.com

from Kathy Stemke

For young children, an important purpose for learning history is to make the past become real instead of abstract. Other achievable goals are to develop knowledge of the American heritage, and have a general knowledge of a historical timeline, and important persons of the past.

History instruction can be enhanced by the use of videotapes, and films. But, the use of literature and hands on activities are the best ways to engage children in learning. The following examples of books and activities about colonization can be adapted to any subject.

Using clay, sand, and straw plastered on stick forms, make models of pilgrim houses.

Core and slice apples across, making apple rings. Pass a string through the holes, leaving a space between slices. Hang them to make dried apples.

Grade 1, Yolen, Jane - Roanoke: The Lost Colony: An Unsolved Mystery from History - The surrounding story is fictional but the facts about the lost colony are in this picture book.

Taste fresh herbs and then dry them. Plant or design an authentic pilgrim garden.

Grades 3, Penner, Lucille - Eating the Plates: A Pilgrim Book of Food and Manners

Make a picture or model of an early village using descriptions from books.

Grades 3, Bowen, Gary - Stranded at Plimoth Plantation 1626 - We see daily life in Plymouth from the point of view of an indentured servant in Plymouth.

Find examples of words and expressions of early American English. What words do we use today instead of those early words?

Write a journal about your daily life, using the language and spelling of the pilgrims.

Grades 5, Clapp, Patricia - Constance: A Story of Early Plymouth - The journal of a young girl.

Find early songs and categorize them as: story, work, spiritual, release, humor. Find current songs that fit into the same categories.

Anderson, Joan - The First Thanksgiving Feast

Compare the individual rights issues in the Mayflower Compact to those in the US Constitution.

Make food taught to the Colonists by Native Americans.

Yerkow, Lila Perl - Slumps, Grunts and Snickerdoodles: What Colonial America Ate and Why

Make a poster showing the reasons settlers came to Colonial America.

Grades 3, Arenstam, Peter - Mayflower 1620 - Using photographs the authors tell the story of the original voyage.

Divide your class so that half are pilgrims and, half Indians. They can use only non-verbal communication with the other side. Do a class project together.

Grades 3, Ziner, Feenie - Squanto

Create rustic art using things from nature.

Grades 3, San Souci, Robert - N. C. Wyeth’s Pilgrims - Picture book of Wyeth’s murals.

Invent games that need no equipment or available materials. Play them at recess.

Write a story about your family living in a one room house like the pilgrims.

Make a hornbook for today.

Grades 2, Fritz, Jean - Who’s That Stepping on Plymouth Rock - Biography

Create a play about the daily life of colonists and their interaction with Native Americans.

Grades 3, Roop, Connie - Pilgrim Voices: Our First Year in the New World

Grades 2, Sewall, Marcia
People of the Breaking Day Wampanoag Indians
The Pilgrims of Plimoth: Struggle for Survival Pilgrims

Make a list of the incidents that are fictional or factual. Explain how you knew the difference.

Grades 3, Hurst, Carol & Rebecca Otis - A Killing in Plymouth Colony - Based on real people living in Plymouth and a real murder committed, the authors have created a story about what might have happened.

List the causes of the Salem witch trials.

Grades 6, Clapp, Patricia - Witches’ Children: A Story of Salem

In conclusion, history should be a vital part of the elementary social studies curriculum. It will help children learn about the world they live in and how they fit in. Teachers and parents can use the activities discussed here to help children learn history and love it.

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For more about Kathy Stemke, visit http://educationtipster.blogspot.com/

by Amy M. O’Quinn

It’s so true—ideas are everywhere. As writers, we are constantly on the lookout for grist for our writing mills that we can use to develop into articles or stories. We search the world wide web. We use information from our lives, jobs and careers. We sift back through our own memories from childhood, and much to our children’s dismay, we may even play off humorous things they say and do. We are persistent and consistent in our quest to mine for those little nuggets and ideas that we will make uniquely ours.

However, one fantastic source for ideas may be so obvious that it’s simply overlooked. In fact, until I started thinking back on how I originally came up with the ideas for some of my published non-fiction articles, I too had forgotten about my ‘secret source’—my children’s schoolwork! For example, when my twin daughters were studying about westward expansion in America, I checked out a video about the Oregon Trail from the library. As we were watching the documentary, the narrator commented that the Oregon Trail is the nation’s longest graveyard. If the graves were evenly spaced along the length of the Trail, there would be one every fifty yards from Missouri to Oregon City. Light bulb moment! My interest was piqued, and I began to research. The result was an article entitled “The Oregon Trail: Destiny or Death?” that was published in Learning Through History Magazine.

The same thing happened when my children studied about ancient Rome, ancient Greece, the Great Depression, the French Revolution, and World War I, all resulting in the following articles:

Roman Baths: Ancient Health Clubs

Eureka! Archimedes and His Accomplishments

Herbert Hoover: From Prosperity to Depression

Tragedy In the Temple Prison

A Deadly Cloud of Poison Gas

When my daughters were very young, they learned about various animals during one particular unit study. We became fascinated with the leaf eating proboscis monkeys of Borneo which led me to write an article called “Snoots and Snouts” for Guideposts for Kids, a piece about funny animal noses. This came on the heels of another article called “Power In A Bottle” that I sold to Jack and Jill after teaching a class of second graders about the chemical reaction of mixing baking soda and vinegar to create carbon dioxide.

I once heard a podcast featuring children’s author Kathi Appelt (“The Book Report” 6/25/08). She said that she found her inspiration for writing her non-fiction book, Down Cut Shin Creek: Pack Horse Librarians of Kentucky when she was helping her ninth grade son with his research for a paper about the WPA. As she was scanning various websites for information about the WPA, she came across a site called the “Kentucky Pack Horse Library Project.” According to Appelt in another interview conducted by Cynthia Leitich Smith:

“It wasn’t anything that Jacob could use, but with my life-long affection for all-things-horse I bookmarked the page and returned to it a couple of days later. Then I contacted the webmaster who turned out to be Jeanne Cannella Schmitzer, a librarian in Cookville, TN and we started corresponding with each other.

“One day, she invited me to come with her to Beattyville, KT to interview a woman named Grace Lucas who had been one of these librarians. Of course, I jumped at the chance, and both of us just fell in love with Grace and her story. I felt so touched and impressed with Grace’s life and the impact that she and her co-workers made on the lives of so many people, that the book was almost inevitable.”

I loved the way Appelt said, “…the book was almost inevitable!” And due to helping her son with the homework assignment that led her to find a website that inspired to her write her book, the ripples of Kathi Appelt’s discovery continue even further. When another children’s author, Kimberly Willis Holt, saw a picture in Appelt’s book of a bookmobile librarian who worked in a Louisiana bayou community, she was inspired to write her fictional book, Part of Me! I’ve read both of these ladies’ books, and they are exceptional. Thank goodness for that research paper on the WPA!

So the next time you need to help your child with schoolwork, don’t think of it as a chore or an inconvenience. Yes, it is a labor of love, but also consider it an opportunity—an opportunity to mine for writer’s gold. You never know when that perfect nugget of information will turn up to spark your creative interest and lead to greater success in your writing career.

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Source: http://www.cynthialeitichsmith.com/lit_resources/authors/stories_behind/storyappelt2.html

Amy M. O’Quinn is a pastor’s wife and former schoolteacher-turned-homeschool mom of six. She is also a freelance writer who enjoys jotting down ideas around the fringes of family life. She specializes in non-fiction, and her work has been published or acquired by various magazines including Jack and Jill, US Kids, Guideposts for Kids, Learning Through History Magazine, Highlights, GEORGIA Magazine, Homeschooling Today, International Gymnast, etc. She is also a product/curriculum/book reviewer for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine and a regular columnist for TEACH Magazine. The O’Quinns live on the family farm in rural south Georgia. You can visit Amy at amyoquinn.com or http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/picketfencemom.

A weekly column from children’s author Simon Rose

Magic has been a part of mankind’s folklore, traditions, myths, legends and literature, both for children and adults, for centuries. In stories for children, the adventure may be set wholly or partly in a fantasy universe, but readers prefer to identify with the people in the story as much as possible. Even in a world populated by magical beings and fantastic creatures, the main characters can be very ordinary individuals, with friends, families, intriguing personalities, troublesome pets or siblings, mannerisms and the rest, but still have incredible experiences.

The situations confronting the story’s leading players can also be universal, no matter where they take place, and often reflect the young reader’s own experiences, even if those individuals in the story are endowed with fabulous magical powers.

Magic has been with us for a very long time and will doubtless always be popular, so for children the magical novel will no doubt be with us for many years to come.

by Amy M. O’Quinn for the National Writing for Children Center

Children’s picture books are a staple in the homes of most families. They have long been the first choice for bedtime stories or just for when someone needs a cuddle on the couch. Well-loved stories have stood the test of time and bring back good memories from our childhoods, and we all need that special reminder from time to time—no matter how old we are. Moreover, we are always discovering new favorites as we share them with our children, ever adding to the cherished cache.

Picture books can also help us celebrate the changing seasons as we read beloved classics concentrating on winter, spring, summer, or, as we are enjoying now, autumn. In fact, this delightful segment of the year brings us colorful falling leaves, cooler days, cozy quilts, and comforting smells of good things baking in the oven. Autumn also means pumpkins and APPLES and the many delicious possibilities they contain. Below are a few book suggestions and several ideas for using these stories as a ‘jumping off’ point for some yummy autumn fun for everyone!

How To Make An Apple Pie and See the World by Marjorie Priceman is a wonderful story about what happens when it’s time to bake an apple pie, but the market is closed. Of course, this situation requires you to take a trip around the world to gather all the fresh ingredients, right at their sources. For example, you’ll need semolina wheat from Italy, a French chicken to lay a fresh egg, an English cow to give the richest milk, the bark of a kurundu tree from Sri Lanka that will be ground into cinnamon, seawater to evaporate for salt, and rosy apples from Vermont. No problem, right?

This delicious tale by Ms. Priceman is perfect for fall! There is a recipe for apple pie at the end of the book which would make a perfect finish! While eating a slice of your pie and a drinking a glass of milk, you might even want to explore a globe or map to locate the places mentioned in the story—a great geography lesson to go along with a delectable culinary creation!

The Apple Pie Tree by Zoe Hall is another great ‘pick’! Two young sisters follow the cycle of an apple tree and how the apples are formed—from the bud to the fruit. The story includes the role of weather and bees in the production of the fruit, as well as a little side story about the robins who build their nest in the tree. The tale concludes with the apple harvest, and of course another recipe for apple pie is included.

In addition to a pie baking activity, this book lends itself very well to the whole scientific aspect of fruit production, pollination, weather patterns, and life cycles in general. Visiting an apple orchard or U-Pick facility would make a great field trip to go along with any of these books.

Applesauce by Shirley Kurtz takes the ‘apple’ idea one step further. This book focuses on a family’s quest to gather enough apples to make enough applesauce to last through the winter. The pictures in the book are very helpful for understanding the process of making applesauce, and easy directions are included. Jars of homemade applesauce would make thoughtful gifts for children to give to family and friends.

Johnny Appleseed by Reeve Lindburgh would make a wonderful wrap-up after baking up so many apple goodies in the kitchen. This poem about John Chapman (Johnny Appleseed) tells the story of one man’s crusade to spread apple seeds from Massachusetts to the Midwest. Can you think up other recipes that use apples as the main ingredient? Search your cookbooks and see what yummy things you can discover. Create your own autumn recipe idea notebook.

There are also quite a few picture books about pumpkins too, and many can be used as a starting point for enjoyable kitchen activities as well. Perhaps a side trip to the pumpkin patch is in order before coming home to bake up some down home goodness. Some suggestions are:

-The Pumpkin Patch by Elizabeth King

-Seed, Sprout, Pumpkin, Pie by Jill Esbaum

-Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White

-Biscuit Visits the Pumpkin Patch by Alyssa Satin Capucilli

Need more ideas? Here’s an excellent bonus recipe for Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread.

Ingredients:

· 3 cups white sugar

· 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin

· 1 cup vegetable oil

· 2/3 cup water

· 4 eggs

· 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

· 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

· 1 tablespoon ground nutmeg

· 2 teaspoons baking soda

· 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

· 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

· 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour three loaf pans. In a large bowl, combine sugar, pumpkin, oil, water, and eggs. Beat until smooth. Blend in flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. Fold in chocolate chips and nuts. Fill pans 1/2 to 3/4 full. Bake for 1 hour, or until a knife comes out clean. Cool on wire racks before removing from pans.

So scan your library bookshelves, ‘pick’ a few great books to share, and pre-heat the oven. Don an apron, bake up some autumn goodness, and enjoy the ‘fruits’ of your labor!

Amy M. O’Quinn is a pastor’s wife and former schoolteacher-turned-homeschool mom of six. She is also a freelance writer who enjoys jotting down ideas around the fringes of family life. She specializes in non-fiction, and her work has been published or acquired by various magazines including Jack and Jill, US Kids, Guideposts for Kids, Learning Through History Magazine, Highlights, GEORGIA
Magazine, Homeschooling Today, International Gymnast, etc. She is also a product/curriculum/book reviewer for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine and a regular columnist for TEACH Magazine. The O’Quinns live on the family farm in rural south Georgia. You can visit Amy at amyoquinn.com or http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/picketfencemom.

by Gary Clay

The development of language skills begins soon after birth, as babies listen and learn the various sounds of their native tongue. Soon babies will begin to utter short syllables, progressing to their first word.

Toddlers are expanding their vocabulary and gaining an understanding of conversation as well as print. By the preschool years, most children have a large vocabulary and speak in complete sentences. Preschoolers are also developing early language skills that will help them read and write. Providing your child with a variety of traditional toys throughout early childhood will encourage the development of these skills.

The absolute best traditional toys that enhance language development are books. Reading to your child helps him not only understand language in print, it also allows him to see and hear common patterns in word and sentence structure. Aside from setting aside a daily time to read with your child, you should also provide him with books to explore on his own. Fabric books are best for babies and board books are designed to withstand abuse from toddlers. Preschoolers should be ready for traditional books with paper pages and should have books from a variety of genres.

Language skills are also developed through social play, especially imaginative or dramatic play. Traditional toys, like dress-up clothes and props for pretend play, encourage children to talk, expanding their vocabulary and conversational skills. Pretend play also helps children develop storytelling skills as they create their own scenarios for play. Provide your child with open-ended traditional toys that invite him to think and play creatively to enhance these skills.

Imaginative play with traditional toys like blocks and dolls can also help your child develop language skills. Generally, children talk and build storylines as they play with these toys too. You can enhance language development as your child plays with building toys, dollhouses, or other traditional toys that stimulate the imagination by asking him questions about what he’s creating and what is happening in his scenario.

Puppets can be made at home from something as simple as a sock or paper bag or they can be purchased in a variety of styles and designs. These simple traditional toys are another terrific way to develop language skills with your child. Act out your child’ favorite story together with puppets and try to create your own stories together as well. Playing with puppets can enhance oral language and conversation skills, expand vocabulary, and help to develop the skills needed for creative writing.

Language development is not limited to speech and oral language. Pre-reading and pre-writing skills are also a vital part of language development. Traditional toys like crayons and coloring books can help young children develop early writing skills. Classic memory style games and picture matching games are other traditional toys that help children develop vocabulary as well as early reading skills.

The development of language skills early in childhood is essential to healthy growth and development in the future. Talk to your child and listen when he talks to you. Encourage his early attempts by repeating and expanding on what he says. Ask open-ended questions, especially questions that require your child to think creatively, and provide him with a variety of traditional toys that enhance language development.

Gary Clay is an expert on traditional toys and runs the stylish kids toy shop Monkeyshine, the UK’s traditional toy shop.

Article Source: ezinearticles.com

A weekly column from children’s author Simon Rose

Another common theme in stories involving magic features an overwhelmingly powerful spell, which may cause untold damage or destruction if it is miscast. It may be the sole means of salvation for the heroes, but will destroy the entire world if it is used improperly.

We also occasionally learn how magic may incur sacrifices, which could be something simple, such as an adversary’s prized possession or perhaps a sample of hair. Or it could be something far more difficult to obtain, such as a sample of someone’s blood, the claw of a ferocious beast or the tooth of a dragon. The most dramatic examples involve the taking of a life, which also shows up as a recurring theme in magical stories.

Despite the incredible powers wielded by wizards, the ability to conquer death is rarely present. The inevitability of death is crucial to make the story more exciting. If the hero can be killed, only to be resurrected at the slightest opportunity like the characters in a video game, the story loses all credibility. The hero has to be in significant danger of destruction or the reader will not be sufficiently interested to turn the page in order to learn what may happen to their hero in the next chapter.

by Kathy Stemke

Historical fiction gives shape to the past. It brings part of the past alive in the present.

Stephen Crane, the author of the American Civil War classic The Red Badge of Courage, was once asked why he had chosen to write his book as fiction rather than history. The reason, he said, was because he wanted to feel the situations of the War as a protagonist, not from the outside. And it was only by writing a novel that he could do this.

And this is what all historical fiction does. It makes us feel what otherwise would be dead and lost to us. It transports us into the past. And the very best historical fiction presents to us not only the past, but also the heart of the past.

The best historical novels have characters that pull you right inside their skin so you can see, hear, taste and smell another time and place through their senses.

These books work well when integrated into a social studies curriculum.
Historical novels and picture books pique the children’s curiosity.

Before reading aloud have the children list what they already know about the subject. Afterward, investigate whether what they heard is typical of the time period.

They emphasize everyday details. Picture books today provide visual and contextual clues to how people lived, what their speech was like, how they dressed, and so on.

Social studies texts are often devoted to coverage rather than depth. Too often, individuals — no matter how famous or important — are reduced to a few sentences. Children have difficulty converting these cryptic descriptions and snapshots into complex individuals who often had difficult choices to make, so myths and stereotypes flourish. Good historical fiction presents individuals, as they are, neither all good nor all bad.

Traditionally, historical issues have been presented to children as flat, one-dimensional, or single-sided. Historical fiction restores the landscape of history so children can discover that problems are age-old.
It’s important for students to share their perspectives, while respecting the opinions of others. Historical fiction introduces children to characters who have different points of view and offers examples of how people deal differently with problems.

PRIMARY
Casey Over There by Staton Rabin, 32 pages; $15
This is a touching story of two brothers whose lives were affected by World War I. Casey fought and his younger brother, Aubrey, waited and worried. Aubrey’s letter to Uncle Sam initiates a sensitive response from the president. The illustrations add intensity to the story.

In America by Marissa Moss (Dutton); 32 pages; $14.99
Walter’s grandfather tells the story of immigrating to America. Walter learns about his grandfather’s village in Lithuania and about courage through his grandfather’s experience.

PRIMARY/INTERMEDIATE
Seminole Diary: Remembrances of a Slave by Dolores Johnson (Macmillan); 32 pages; $14.95
Libbie, a slave, tells of the peaceful coexistence of African-American slaves and the Seminole Indians. In the Seminole villages, runaway slaves found a haven of mutual respect.

The Sad Night: The Story of an Aztec Victory and a Spanish Loss by Sally Schofer Mathews (Clarion); 40 pages; $16.95
In text surrounded by Aztec codices, the story of this ancient civilization is recounted. Told from the Aztec perspective, this book connects the past with a modern-day discovery.

INTERMEDIATE
Pink and Say by Patricia Polacco (Philomel); 48 pages; $15.95
Two young Union boys from very different backgrounds are caught up in the travesties of war in Confederate territory. This is a poignant Civil War story passed down through generations, including the generation of the author.

The Lucky Baseball by Suzanne Lieurance; 160 pages
Harry Yakamoto grew up in Seven Cedars, California playing baseball, going to school, and working at his family’s restaurant. As a young Japanese American, he faced discrimination daily. But when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941, his life would change forever. Forced to move to a relocation center in the desert of California, Harry and his family have to start a new life behind barbed wire and guarded watchtowers. Follow Harry Yakamoto in this World War II story as he learns to live through difficult conditions in a Japanese-American internment camp.

A weekly column from children’s author Simon Rose

Magical objects abound in fantasy stories and take a wide variety of forms. They are usually endowed with fabulous powers which can affect memory, cast illusions, disguise people or objects by transforming them into something else, stop or turn back time and so on.

The origin of the object is often shrouded in mystery and, if the creator is actually known, he or she is rarely mentioned. It is also naturally important that the creator of the artifact is not the only person able to use the object, otherwise it would be a largely pointless addition to the story.

Sometimes the object is extremely powerful and highly dangerous if it falls into the wrong hands. Perhaps it is the only object capable of defeating the hero or rendering him defenseless. It may be the means by which the chief villain will be able to conquer the entire world, thus triggering a quest to either obtain the object or destroy it as happens with the ring of power in Lord of the Rings, but has also been a very common theme in many stories since then and continues to be used heavily in fantasy tales in one form or another.

In my fifth novel, The Heretic’s Tomb, Lady Isabella Devereaux comes into the possession of a mysterious amulet that has the power to restore life to the recently deceased. Living at the time of the Black Death in 1349, the noble and virtuous Lady Isabella intends to use the mysterious artifact to cure the relentless disease. However, the villain of the piece, Sir Roger de Walsingham, is also determined to secure the amulet for himself, in order to raise an army of the dead in order to seize the kingdom and make himself King of England.

Tolkien’s tale also features other magical objects such the sword wielded by Frodo which can detect the oncoming presence of orcs, while fans of Harry Potter are familiar with Harry’s invisibility cloak and his marauder’s map, by which he can observe the movements of others in the corridors of Hogwarts.

Wands are wielded by all the leading characters in the Harry Potter series and Gandalf in Lord of the Rings has his trusty staff. Other fantasy tales are imbued with objects of a similar nature. Although the lead character in a fantasy tale may be endowed with magical abilities or have the power to cast spells and enchantments, the fact that a wand, staff or other means is used to help cast the spell also helps the story be more believable. The use of an object to help them, an aid to magic if you like, makes opposition to the magical character, whether good or bad, much more feasible. If the staff or wand is lost or damaged, the wizard is either helpless or at least less powerful, making the story more interesting by adding conflict.

A weekly column from children’s author Simon Rose

Magical objects, of course, are not the only means by which powers can be exercised. We also see the specific use of archaic or secret languages and names in ways to practice magic.

Spell books may be written in a long forgotten language or enchantments and verses inscribed on ancient stone tablets or written on the walls of tombs buried for centuries. In Earthsea, magic can only be used when speaking a certain language. In the Harry Potter novels, Rowling employs the use of Latinized words, many of her own invention, to give the spells performed by Harry and the other characters a more dramatic aura.

Sometimes, too, an evil character can be defeated or at least weakened by the use of his real name, as in the fairy tale of Rumpelstiltzkin, which he always keeps secret as a result. Similarly, the way in which powers are obtained varies from one story to another. Some feature dusty volumes of forbidden texts from antiquity that anyone can read or at least translate. They are then able to use the magic themselves without having any innate magical ability. Sometimes a benevolent being chooses to bestow powers on an individual, perhaps when he or she is dying and needs a successor.

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 book written by Joe Gribnau and illustrated by Adrian Tans that is sure to lasso a lot of laughs from readers of all ages. In fact, the humorous twang and distinct Western flavor of the story will make this a first-rate read-aloud for the whole family!

Kick is a real cowboy’s cowboy. In fact, he’s the greatest cowboy ever! He can rope a dozen longhorns in one loop and drive a thousand cattle from Texas to Montana. At least that’s what the other cowboys say—that is, until Kick gets too big for his britches and too far above his raisin’! Then he turns into the meanest cowboy in the whole state of Texas, sporting a terrible stare, a cruel growl, and a scary snarl to boot. Yessirree, Kick is so
mean that no one dares to cross him or tell him that the horse he claims is the fastest and finest in the state is actually a stick horse.

As Kick’s meanness grows, his greatness diminishes in the eyes of the other cowboys and they all find excuses not to be around. But no matter, Kick just gets meaner and meaner, until the day he finally meets his match!

When a sweet little girl named Belle taps Kick on his back and asks for help finding her lost puppy, Poo, Kick acts just as mean and ornery as ever as he laughs and scoffs at her request with a nasty reply. But Belle does what no man alive has dared to do—she kicks him in the knee. Not once, but twice! And in the process she brings him down to her eye level. They stare at each other until a single tear rolls down Belle’s cheek. A little of the meanness melts from Kick’s heart, and soon they are both crying.

Kick realizes that he doesn’t want to be mean anymore. With Belle’s encouragement and advice, he mends his fences by apologizing to all the other cowboys. “Never met a greater cowboy”, they all agree once more as Kick and Belle ride away on their stick horses.

Joe Gribnau has done a splendid job with the story of Kick the Cowboy. The tale is funny and entertaining, yet meaningful because as his character Belle says to Kick, “…most folks are like barb wire…they have their good points.” What a great reminder that everyone deserves a second chance!

Adrian Tans’ illustrations are spectacular! The colors really pop, and he uses unusual perspectives and artistic angles to create one-of-a-kind pictures that really capture the essence of the story. The details are amazing, and the expressions on the characters’ faces are priceless. Young readers will definitely enjoy perusing the illustrations as they progress through the book. Gribnau and Tan make a great team!

You can find out more about Kick the Cowboy and other Pelican Publishing titles at www.pelicanpub.com.

About the Author: Joe Gribnau is a teacher and author. A native of Montana, he and his family now make their home in Walla Walla, Washington where they enjoy spending time outdoors. Joe is also the author of another Pelican Publishing title, Rocky Mountain Night Before Christmas.

About the Illustrator: Adrian Tans is an accomplished illustrator whose art has been exhibited in a variety of galleries. He also illustrated Pelican’s Pirate Treasure Hunt! and Witches Night Before Halloween. He and his family live in Vermont. You can visit his website at www.adriantansart.com.

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Visit Amy at www.amyoquinn.com or at
www.homeschoolblogger.com/picketfencemom.

Last week I was in Washington, D.C. and while I was there I had the chance to visit the Smithsonian and the National Gallery of Art. I was pleasantly surprised to see so many Usborne Books in the gift shops at all the Smithsonian museums and at the National Gallery of Art.

I knew all along that Usborne Books are the BEST books out there for kids, which is why I decided to become an Usborne Consultant a few months ago. But seeing so many Usborne Books at both the Smithsonian and the National Gallery of Art made me realize that our nation’s TOP museums and galleries realize just how GREAT Usborne books for children are, too.

And now, you don’t need to travel to the Smithsonian or the National Gallery of Art to purchase Usborne Books. Simply visit my online bookstore HERE to get the best books for kids at the BEST prices!

Don’t forget to register for the monthly contest and you just might win $50 worth of Usborne Books!

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 amaze you from the onset. Take this adventurous tale into Boomerang Lookout’s mysterious disappearance to Vinny Whiskers betrayal of the prairie-dogs in the Tubes.

Not all is at it appears. Much to the dismay of the Grand Ludwig, Mr. Thin Fur’s voice of wisdom attempts to guide the newly named Boomerang Lookout, the runt of the litter. Afraid of change the Grand Ludwig holds tight to the past customs and beliefs. However, Boomerang Lookout’s curiosity sets the wheels in motion down the road to discovery. Will the Tubes be returned back to normal with the new found truths? The clock is ticking for all concerned and victory lies on Boomerang Lookout’s small shoulders. Will he triumph or fail as so many expect?

Gregory Kemp’s deliciously written tale will have you spellbound from page one. You will most certainly forget you are reading about the battle between prairie-dogs and rats. Did I say rats? Yes, I did. But don’t let that discourage you. This tale will have you cheering for the underdog.

To learn more about author, Gregory Kemp, visit www.gregorykemp.com.

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 rhyme to bring Emily’s story to life. The inspiring friendship and bond forged between human and chickadee will leave you yearning for your own connection with nature. Paired with Kristen Metcalf’s colorful illustrations, you will enjoy reading about Emily over and over again.

Each book is accompanied with a chickadee log to encourage the reader to go on his own nature adventure. Take the time today and explore all that nature has to offer. I’m sure you will be happy you did.

Zelaya writes from the heart and shares a delightful true story like none other. Visit her today at www.emilythechickadee.com.

Illustrator Kristin Metcalf’s artistic ability will have you memorized from the onset. Visit her today at www.metcalfstudios.com

by Sharon Blumberg

This year I’m teaching my seventh graders at Parker Junior High, language arts along with a Spanish as a foreign language class. Here are three kinds of projects I have my students make that enhance literacy in the classroom. The only supplies students need are colored markers, and/ or crayons, and construction paper.

Vocabulary Picture Projects
One type of project that enhances writing skills - and that students seem to enjoy creating in Spanish - is the Vocabulary Picture Project. With this project, each student selects a word or phrase to illustrate in a creative way. In my language arts class, this kind of project is called a Concrete Poetry Project.

Concrete Poetry Projects
With a Concrete Poetry Project, the selected word could be illustrated into the concept that it signifies. For example, the word fire in Spanish - fuego - could be illustrated with flaming letters of orange, yellow and red, surrounding the letters in the words. So the word fire would appear as if it were on fire. Young adults enjoy creating these artsy projects because they can symbolize things that are meaningful and personal to them. They can also utilize their creative talents. Students enjoy working on these projects either alone or in small groups. As they work among their classmates, they talk, unwind, and express their unique or common interests. For example, the word for friends in Spanish is AMIGOS. I remember a small group of friends taping silly pictures together and displaying them along a sheet of construction paper or poster board.

At the end of the school year when I ask, “Who would like to have their projects laminated?” students say, “I do!” Then, when the projects are no longer displayed along the classroom walls, students make sure they take their projects home. They enjoy owning these projects as keepsakes because of the social nature of creating them. There is a personal connection to the assignment when friends are dancing, jumping in the air, or making silly faces together.

Another related project that I enjoy having my homeroom students work on in the beginning of the school year, is what I refer to as Name Bubbles. This is a wonderful idea that I borrowed from one of my colleagues.

Name Bubbles
Name Bubbles are creative projects in which students write out the letters of their names or nicknames to encase a theme. For example, let’s take the name Ali. Within the A, students could write about their favorite vacations. Within the L, students could write about their favorite movies, and within the letter I, students could list their favorite books to read. The students have the choice to make up their own themes, use whatever name - first, last, or nickname - that they desire. Some students even ask if they can stand up in front of the class and talk about their name bubbles, while explaining what each letter stands for. What I love about students creating Name Bubbles is that the theme categories they select from are endless, and the projects make beautiful student work displays.

These projects enhance literacy skills because students are writing about and illustrating topics of their own choosing.

by Suzanne Lieurance, the Working Writer’s Coach

You know what they say, “the kitchen is the heart of the home.”

That’s certainly true at our house.

The kitchen is where we gather to cook, talk, and enjoy a delicious meal together at the end of the day.

We also have one important “tool” in our kitchen that gives it true “heart.”

But this tool has nothing to do with cooking and everything to do with communication.

It’s a small chalkboard hung on the wall next to the stove.

We call it the Family Message Center.

It’s where we leave all sorts of messages for each other.

For example, if I’m going to leave the house before my husband gets home from work in the evening, and I want to let him know where I am, instead of reaching for the phone and leaving him a voicemail message, I reach for the chalk and scribble down a message on the chalkboard.

Something like:

Gone to my writer’s meeting. See you around 8:00!

XXXOOO

We also use the chalkboard to wish each other a happy birthday, wish everyone a Merry Christmas ( we count down the days and use it as our own advent calendar), share important quotes we’ve read that we think are worth sharing, and even post a word for the day and a definition.

But the messages I most enjoy seeing on our chalkboard are the unexpected ones.

As when our grown son Tyler drops by for a meal, and later I look at the chalkboard and see that he’s written,

Great dinner, Mom! Enjoyed the chess game, Dad. Thanks!

Or, our son Nick will sketch a cartoon character, along with a silly joke.

My husband likes to write things out in “code” so we have to figure out what he’s trying to tell us.

Not that his code is anything the average person can’t decipher instantly.

Silly, but endearing messages like - URthe1Iwant2C2nite.

I use the board to post affirmations - although my sons have been known to alter these statements and turn them into silly jokes.

But the point is, you can improve family communication with a simple chalkboard.

When you get in the habit of leaving messages - whether your message is a word for the day, a thank you, a happy birthday wish, or even an affirmation - everyone in the family suddenly has something to “say” and will usually write it down.

And you’ll probably find your family talking about the messages during dinner some evenings, too.

So create better family communication.

Get a chalkboard.
And use it!

A weekly column from children’s author Simon Rose

Sometimes a being bestowing power on the hero of the story may be anything but benevolent, when a verse carved on an ancient tablet can be recited to summon a demon, which will then grant a mortal some kind of magical powers. In this type of story however, the acquisition of powers usually carries a dreadful price, such as the possession of one’s soul, the death of a loved one or something equally drastic, which the demon will return and claim as his fee.

More often, magic is an innate talent that requires training. In the Harry Potter series, Harry’s schooling forms the central part of the series, although wizard education also features in Le Guin’s Earthsea novels. At the onset of the series, Harry Potter casts spells both accidentally and badly before he learns how to perform magic properly, honing his talents at Hogwarts.

Sometimes wizards have their talent from birth, but do not realize it until they hit their teens, with or without special schooling. Even an accident or other event can trigger the powers, although the person needs to be taught how to use their powers correctly by an older mentor, who may have been quietly observing them for years, wondering when their ability would first manifest itself.

by Grier Cooper

You don’t know how it happened, but Halloween is only days away, and you find yourself with no costumes for yourself or your children. However, there’s no need to worry; help is at hand. By following these few simple tips, you can quickly and easily create multiple Halloween costumes with items you already have on hand at home. Who knew that your house was so full of Halloween potential?

Raid the linen closet. Grab those old, ratty sheets and start cutting and tearing. To create the ubiquitous ghost costume, simply cut out two eyeholes, and a mouth. What could be easier? Or, if you have the time and inclination to be a little bit more creative, tear the sheet into three-inch-wide strips. Wrap and tie the strips to create a mummy costume.

Pull out your art supplies. Got construction paper (plain paper can work in a pinch)? Cut out a simple crown shape, try it on to size it to the wearer’s head, then tape or staple the ends together. Decorate it as you desire with items such as glitter, sequins, or pictures cut from a magazine. To put the finishing touches on your king or queen costume, dress in royal colors, such as emerald green, ruby red, or sapphire blue. Finally, add some of mom’s costume jewelry to complete the look with rings, necklaces, or other spangley baubles.

Check the kitchen. If you’ve got an apron, you’ve got a costume. Dress it up with a beret, a paintbrush, and a cardboard paint palette to be an “artiste.” Or, add a rolling pin and oven mitts to be a baker.

Ascend to the attic or storage closet. A stash of old clothes can be great for dressing up. An old bridesmaid’s dress (do they ever get worn a second time?) or a uniform can get a second life as a costume.

Create your own superhero. If you’ve got a colorful shirt, a pair of shorts, and a pair of tights, then you’ve got a costume. Add a dime store face mask in your color of choice, and you’re ready to rock. Think of the superhero you’d like to be. For example, got green? You’re Captain Chameleon, able to blend into any environment. The sky’s the limit; get creative.

Halloween costumes don’t have to involve a lot of time and money. A little creative thinking and a quick inventory of what you already have on hand can yield a wealth of possibilities that are quick and simple.

Happy Halloween!

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Grier Cooper is a California based children’s writer, photographer, and dancer. She draws on over twenty years of experience as a dancer, teacher and performer to create both fiction and nonfiction that inspires, educates and enriches the hearts and minds of her readers. Look for her author site soon at www.griercooper.com.

A weekly column from children’s author Simon Rose

Unlike those writing for an adult audience, children’s authors have far more opportunities to secure speaking engagements. Many teachers and librarians at elementary, junior high and, depending on the age range of your books, senior high schools, like to host artists every school year. They know that an author visit can be inspirational, boosting student creativity and encouraging them in their own writing. And from your own point of view, meeting your readers can be one of the most enjoyable elements of a school visit. Younger students especially are almost always thrilled to meet a published author, especially if they have read your books.

I am always pleased to receive e mails from children who enjoyed my visit to their school and here are just a few examples.

“Thank you for coming to our school. I really enjoyed your presentation and your books are FANTASTIC! You’re the greatest author ever!”

“Thank you for coming to our school to share your ideas for your books. I learned that being an author is really hard work. I think you are a great author and hope you finish all your books”

“It was an honour to see you at our school. You are very nice and funny. I think I might try to become an author like you because it sounds challenging and very much fun”

“I really enjoyed your presentation. I learned a lot about how fun it can be to write a story”

“Thank you for coming to visit our school. Most authors just come in and talk about their book, but you told us how many drafts you had and we made characters together.”

“I thought it was really neat to meet a real author because someday I want to be an author as well. Thank you for coming to my school. I will never forget it.”

“I enjoyed your performance very much. You have a very interesting imagination. You are the best author that has come to our school.”

You can view more comments from children about my school visitshere and teacher and librarian comments can be found here. School and library visits offer a invaluable opportunity to connect with your readers on a personal level and in some cases you can make a real difference in children’s lives, stimulating their imagination or simply getting them more interested in books and reading.

Do you know how low you can go?

Setting up a quick, easy limbo dance is your way to find out, and guaranteed good, silly fun for all involved. It couldn’t be easier since only three tools are required: great music, the limbo stick, and willing, enthusiastic players of any age who are into it. This is a foolproof way to entertain a group, or help young children get “the sillies” out of their systems. It could even be your salvation when the next bout of cabin fever strikes in your house.

Limbo became popular in the United States in the 1950s, but originated in the 1800s on the Caribbean island of Trinidad. It is often still practiced in many Caribbean resorts, with a little Caribbean music for a little Caribbean flavor, and is often a competition for prizes. But to be a champion limbo dancer you must be extremely limber. According the Universal Record Data Base, the limbo record is held by Sabrina Ansari, who danced under a thirty-four inch pole in 2005. Can you spell f-l-e-x-i-b-l-e?!

To start the dance, select any music you like that has a good, strong beat, Caribbean or otherwise. Grab your limbo stick, which can be a broom, a mop or any long pole you have on hand. Assign two pole handlers to hold the stick on either side. Dancers line up, single file, and dance under the pole while leaning backwards. If they touch the pole or fall down during their attempt, they are “out.” The competition continues as the pole is gradually lowered each time the entire group has successfully (or unsuccessfully) limboed.

This dance is completely contagious, and the competition can get fierce! The final dancer can be awarded a prize, or simply the undying admiration of the rest of the group. Oh, and shorter people definitely have the advantage.

Fast, fun and furious, the limbo is ridiculously simple and exceedingly energizing. The next time you find yourself with a group of stir-crazy children, trying to plan some birthday party fun, or attempting to unite a group of painfully shy adults…or looking at a group of people that are either seriously fun-deprived or half-asleep, grab a pole, throw on your favorite tunes, and pose the challenge: “How low can you go?”