HOOK KIDS on READING
NOW FOLLOWS a Revamped PATH.
BOOK. . . News
WRITING. . .Ideas
MARGOT'S. . . Thoughts
W-H-A-T-E-V-E-R Grabs My Interest.
Hold onto your hair, mates,
not even The SHADOW knows!
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The Stolen Generation:
Australia’s Dark and Tragic Past.
Imagine your child playing in your front yard. As you watch through the window, a van of policemen pulls up. They take your screaming child away. You never see your child again.
Children who were very dark skinned were allowed to stay with their parents, causing many indigenous people to dye their children’s skin dark using the sap of the milkwood tree. However, if a child looked as if he had any white ancestry, he was taken away. Some, if they looked white enough, were adopted by white families. READ MORE:
As an Aussie myself (now living in the US), I was shocked and disgusted by the actions by my then government. I always knew that Aboriginals, like the American Indians, got a raw deal when the white settlers arrived and took over their land.
This is one reason I wrote Dreamtime Man. I wanted to show how the native Australian people struggled to survive, and how far they have eventually come in claiming their place, their cultural dignity, and their rights.
Final illo and verses from
'Dreamtime Man.'
Much time has slid past–many moons full and new,
Since the people of Dreamtime claimed old Uluru.
Tribes now are proud of their history and lore,
Some, willing and eager to claim even MORE.
Men dance old Legends while the Spirits inspire.
"Dreamtime" still leads them where white men can't follow,
Where the spirits of old offer hopes for tomorrow.
The stars here are the Southern Cross--seen only
south of the equator
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Margot Finke
14x Books for Kids--Skype Author Visits
'Content' Manuscript Critiques
I am Giving away
I am giving away 5x Print Copies of
#Dreamtime Man
+ copies of my "Fairdinkum Aussie Recipe Book."
ONE copy can be won on each of the 5 days below.
Beginning December 11th.
Thursday - Friday - Saturday - Sunday - Monday
WIN Thursday the 11th's copy
by being the FIRST to answer this question:
Name a unique Aussie animal
that lives in gum trees.
** Please add your answers to the
COMMENTS.
If you don't win Dreamtime Man,
ALL who add a comment will get a copy
of my FREE
"Fairdinkum Aussie Recipe Book."
Recipes for the food I loved to eat while
growing up Down Under.
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DISCLAIMER:
These Dreamatime Man copies arrived with a small
pale gray mark at the bottom of some verse pages.
The problem has now been fixed, and I decided
to give away the originals. My lyrically rhyming
tale, based on Aboriginal history, and the glorious
illustrations, are not affected in any way.
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Books for Kids -Manuscript Critiques
SKYPE author Visits
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GO ON. . . I DARE YOU!
Love 'em with BOOKS this Holiday Season.
2
BOOKS that make terrific Holiday Gifts.
*Trial by Walkabout is a great Aussie outback adventure--
a multicultural tale of sibling rivalry, aboriginal culture, danger,
and Dreamtime pirits--plus a friendship between two young teens
*Ruthie and the Hippo's Fat Behind--
a rhyming story that tells how sudden BIG changes
can turn a sweet girl into a brat!
(parent teacher guide included)
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JUST PUBLISHED (soft cover)
Dreamtime Man
For young and old alike. . .
My rhyming tale, based on Australian history, shows how Aboriginals
survived the arrival of the white man, and eventually created
a place for themselves and their culture
in the present day.REVIEW SNIP:
SAMPLE from Book REVIEW on Penny's Reviews and Chat:
http://pennyreviews-chat.blogspot.com/
"I'm a great, and long time fan of Margot Finke’s children’s stories, as you know. I’m completely enthralled with this new one, Dreamtime Man. It is absolutely one of her best. It’s in rhyme and powerfully relates the stories of ancient Australian aboriginal tribes who used to roam the wild, untamed lands of Australia. Her word pictures are perfect jewels."
**The illustrations, by Ioana Zdralea, are amazing.
This SUPER Review is a huge thrill!! **You can also LISTEN to me read the story HERE
Not on Sale. . . but worth every penny!
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Books for Kids - Skype Author Visits
Manuscript Critiques
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<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--> My “Dreamtime Man” is taking shape
A rhyming picture book for grades 4 and up
Illustrator, Ioana Zdralea, did an awesome job of interrupting this wild and mysterious Dreamtime land. I am thrilled!! This is the illo she sent me for the first two verses. The verses describe the harshness of where the Australian aboriginals had to scratch out a living,
<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE <![endif]--> Imagine a wild place where sun burns the sand,
Where water and food must be scratched from the land.
This place is the wellspring of men black as coal,
And Dreamtime ruled all who endured as one soul.
While shy Daintree tribes hunted deep in the shade,
Tough bush and outback men learned how to trade.
Whether hunting, or fighting, or struggling to live,
All respected the Dreamtime and what it could give.
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More sketches and finished artwork will
come to this page soon.
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Books for Kids - Skype Author Visits
Manuscript Critiques
Your PROMO QUEEN presents:
a GRAB Bag
of news that could be of interest. . .
NEW BOOK - SKYPE - DYSLEXIA - PINTEREST
Temporary picture: As soon as I have the first completed illo I will put it here.
My main news is
"DREAMTIME MAN"
What is that?
My latest book!
.A picture book for older grade-school children.
.
It is the rhyming tale of what happened to the Australian Aboriginal tribes after the white man arrived and proceeded to take over their land. I have had this story simmering on my back burner for a number of years. In the meantime I wrote 13 other books - some of them about Aussie animals, and several that had Australian protagonists, with even an aboriginal main character or two.
.
Yet the Dreamtime Man kept whispering to me from the depths of my computer. "Come on Margot, let's get this walkabout on the march. The American Indians got their story out. Stone the crows, mate, we've waited long enough! It's a bonzer tale. Let's DO IT!"
.
I guess nagging does work, because I dug him out, dusted him off and polished until he yelled, "Jumping grasshoppers mate, I"M READY already!"
.
Finding the perfect illustrator was no swim in the billabong. The Aussie Outback and bush colors are unique: bright, clear and strong - their own spectrum of blues and reds. And the aboriginal has a special look - a black Indian like figure will not cut it. I sent bunches of pictures of it all to prospective artists, but the Dreamtime Man was not impressed. "No fear! I won't fight for my freedom in colors this those!"
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Then I found an artist on the Dreamtime wavelength. Her first sample was not promising. But after I sent details and more pictures she came up with a sample that had the Dreamtime Man hopping with glee - like a kangaroo on steroids! The artist's name is Ioana Zdralea, and you can look at some of her diverse work here: http://ioanazdraleaillustration.wordpress.com/page/2/
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April 1st 2014 - 10.30 am
Taking my Magic Carpet of Books to a first grade class in the Eastern US.
Read a story, talk about writing and how books are written,
and answer lots of class questions.
A FUN DAY FOR ALL!
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Flemming Ast is a crusader for those with Dyslexia and other reading
or learning problems. This is his latest VIDEO encouraging parents
to get their children reading well and early, and if they
need help doing this, find that help ASAP.
He has kindly featured me and my Horatio Humble Beats the Big D -
a picture book that helps and encourages dyslexic kids and their parents.
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*There's mouthwatering YUMMY food
* Great BOOK REVIEWS
*Help for SPECIAL NEEDS
*Cool BLOGS THAT ROCK
*TEACHER- CLASSROOM
HOME SCHOOL
And LOTS more!
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