This is a blog worth subscribing to . . . The Jeffrey Gottfurcht Children’s Arthritis Foundation

Jeff and his Sherpa atop the Summit of Mount Everest, May 14, 2011

If you love inspiring stories, you will be thrilled with this one. Jeff Gottfurcht was the first person with rheumatoid arthritis to climb Mount Everest. Right now he is climbing Mount Aconcagua, the tallest mountain in South America, and his blog is documenting his progress every day. Jeff is the founder of a wish-granting charity for children with arthritis, and he climbs to bring awareness to his cause.

Our journalist friend, Dallas Woodburn is the founder of “Write On! For Literacy“, a nonprofit organization that encourages kids to discover confidence, joy, self-expression and connection with others through reading and writing endeavors. In the past eight years, they have donated 11,117 new books to disadvantaged kids. They also teach writing workshops in schools, hold poetry, fiction, and essay contests, and award scholarships for young writers in middle school and high school to attend summer writing camps.

Write On! is one of seven national finalists for a $5,000 grant through the Glamour Magazine/Sally Hansen “Best of You” contest. They need your vote!!

Dallas with  stack of new books for her awesome Write On! For Literacy Program

Dallas Woodburn/Write On is the final contestant listed. All it takes is thirty seconds of your time to vote. The website asks for your name and contact information to ensure that every e-mail address only votes once, but they will not use your information or give it away to anyone.

Click here to vote.

For every vote they receive, $1 will be donated to DKMS, the World’s Largest Bone Marrow Donation Center. Just by voting, you make a difference!!

If everyone could vote and then pass along the link to two or three friends, this could really take off.

Dallas said, “Thank you in advance for your support. This grant really would mean the world to us. It would help bring Write On! to a national level, creating more chapters of Holiday Book Drives, awarding more scholarship money for young writers, AND helping increase the confidence of young people by giving them an outlet for creative expression by publishing their work.”

San Diego Family Magazine has posted our contest. And while I was checking it out, I started to browse around the website. I looked at the home page and immediately felt welcome. It is homey! And I love the soothing colors and beautiful, uncluttered design. I think you’ll agree.

The resources for people in the San Diego area are excellent. (I can tell you that we have nothing this well organized or easy to use that I’ve found for Miami!) There’s a complete list of after school activities in the area for kids. How great is that? There’s a list of companies that help plan and stage events and fundraisers, a resource guide for parents of babies, a comprehensive fall school directory, list of support groups, contests, family travel tips, events calendar, movie reviews, crafts for kids, book reviews, toy reviews and craft projects. You’ll even find a local dining guide, restaurant reviews and recipes. And if all that were not enough, there are articles pertaining to specific neighborhoods in the San Diego area.

I guess life really is better in California.

If you are planning a visit to San Diego, check out San Diego Family before you go. If you live there, then you are probably already a frequent visitor and subscriber to the site.

Young writer extraordinaire, Dallas Woodburn, shares her two books with us

Writer and entrepreneur, Dallas Woodburn, had her first book published at age ten, a collection of short stories called: There’s a Huge Pimple On My Nose. While attending college at The University of Southern California (USC), she had many articles published in major magazines and newspapers as well as another collection of short stories: 3 am: A Collection of Short Stories. She is living proof that you are never too young to start a writing career! Dallas also started www.WriteOnBooks.org, a fantastic website that publishes short stories, poems and essays written by young writers for young readers to enjoy. She holds a holiday book drive every year and even offers a summer writing camp for kids in Southern California. If this weren’t all enough, she also has a blog, where she shares all sorts of information about writing.

How old were you when you first became interested in writing?

It’s funny, but it’s difficult for me to remember a time before I loved to write! I learned to read when I was four, and I gobbled up books. Like many kids, I made up stories; I was compelled to write my stories down. I think this was largely due to the fact that my dad is a writer. Every night, my parents read me bedtime stories, and every morning I came downstairs to see my dad writing. As a result, I was very aware that someone had written the books I so loved to read. And I decided that I wanted to be someone who writes books for other people to enjoy.

What were your major influences at that time? Who inspired you to write?

My dad is my biggest fan and is the first person who reads my work – his feedback and encouragement are invaluable. I remember when I was little, he would let me type stories on his computer once he had filed his column for the day – how special that was! I am incredibly blessed that my parents and teachers were so encouraging of my love of writing from a very young age. Also, when I was in the first and second grade I was lucky to have an amazing teacher, Diane Sather, who encouraged my love for writing. I remember she had me read one of my stories to the class. I got such a burst of joy from sharing what I had written with others. It never crossed my mind to just write for myself. My high school English teacher, Tania Sussman, became an amazing mentor for me and I now think of her as one of my biggest inspirations and dearest friends.

How did you go about getting your collection of short stories published when you were only ten years old?

There’s a Huge Pimple on My Nose is proof that with a lot of hard work, a lot of perseverance – and, yes, a lot of support, too – a small idea can snowball into something bigger than you ever dreamed. My snowball began as a snowflake when I applied for and received a $50 grant from my elementary school to write, publish and sell a collection of my short stories and poems — but I think here’s what set my proposal apart: I would use the profits to repay my grant, so the school could offer an extra one the following year. My first printing, done at a Kinkos copy shop, was modest: twenty-five staple-bound forty-page books. Actually, they were more like thick pamphlets, but no matter – to me, they were books, my books, the most beautiful books I had ever laid eyes upon. J.K. Rowling wasn’t more proud of her first Harry Potter hardcover edition.

My fellow students and teachers, bless them, acted as if Pimple was at the top of the New York Times Best-Seller List. The first twenty-five copies promptly sold in a couple of days. Can you imagine what a turbo-boost this was to a fifth-grader’s self-esteem? I was pursuing my dream, but I wasn’t pursuing it alone – my family and friends and teachers were right there with me. So I went back to Kinkos, ordered twenty-five more books – and soon sold all those as well. After three more trips to Kinkos, where the workers now knew me by name, I searched out a publishing business and ordered a few hundred glossy-covered, glue-bound, professional-looking Pimples. My little forty-page dream evolved from a snowball into a blizzard, with newspaper and radio interviews; appearances at literacy events all around California; even a “Dallas Woodburn Day” at the Santa Barbara Book Fair. I still have to pinch myself, but Pimple has sold more than 2,200 copies and I repaid two school grants.

Looking back, I was fortunate to dive into this career at such an early age because I wasn’t afraid or self-conscious about my writing. I think as we get older, we tend to lose that child-like pride and confidence in ourselves and our work. I published my first book when I was in fifth grade. I wasn’t afraid of rejection, so I sent my book out to anyone and everyone I thought might read it. Sure, I didn’t hear back from a lot of them. But I did score reviews in The Los Angeles Times, Girls’ Life magazine, Cosmo Girl magazine, and others.

2,200 copies sold is indeed impresssive! You made a really great point here, Dallas – You were not afraid to try! I think that’s what stops most people from success in whatever they do. The fear of rejection and criticism.

Yes, many terrific doors were opened for me because I wasn’t afraid to hear the word “no.”

What kind of articles have you written for magazines and newspapers?

I write articles for magazines, newspapers and websites — everything from Family Circle to The Los Angeles Times to Writer’s Digest. I’m also a monthly columnist for GradtoGreat.com, TweenParent.com, and Listen magazine. I love profiling inspiring young people – like your daughter, Rachel (article to be published soon) – and helping spread the word about the amazing things kids and teens are doing. I think often the media focuses on negative stereotypes about teenagers, which is unfortunate because there are so many young people who are doing phenomenal, selfless things to better the world.

That is so true! I am so glad there are people out there like you to share positive stories with the world. How did you get your first article published?

One of my favorite things about being a writer is that even your most embarrassing moments in life are worth something because they are great writing material! My first article was for Justine magazine, at that time a newly established publication for teens, and it was a true-life account about how I was “sweet sixteen” and had never been kissed. The editors loved my honest voice and the piece resonated with a lot of readers. I have always tried to see my young age as an advantage in my writing, rather than a disadvantage, because it allows me to write about things like teen issues with a great deal of authenticity. As a teen writing for a teen publication, I wrote an article that I would want to read! I would encourage other writers to put themselves in this mindset – what insights and lessons does your particular background and experiences give you? How can you use these traits as an advantage in your writing life?

In addition to a love of writing, you and I have something in common. We both travel around our communities to speak to students at schools about writing and publishing. What is the main message you hope to get across to the students you speak to?

I hope that students come away from my talk inspired and motivated, knowing that they really can accomplish their dreams! I tell students that the lessons I have learned through writing can apply to whatever their own passions may be – sports, music, dance, art. Everyone at some point has to deal with rejection and discouragement. Everyone is going to face setbacks. Everyone is going to reach a crossroads where they might think of giving up. When they reach that point, I want students to realize that they are not alone – and the important thing is persevering through the hard times. Don’t ever let anyone discourage you from pursuing your dreams!!

Do you find this rewarding?

Incredibly rewarding! It is an activity that gives me great joy and fulfillment. Whenever I am feeling discouraged or creatively drained, going to schools and speaking to students inevitably recharges my batteries and gets me excited about writing again. So much energy and enthusiasm! It’s contagious!

I notice on your blog that you write about receiving rejection letters for your writing. Can you explain that?

Rejection is also something that everyone has to deal with. As a writer, I joke that I could wallpaper all four of my bedroom walls with all the rejection letters I have received from editors! The important thing is not to take it personally. For whatever reason, you or your writing just wasn’t a right fit for that publication at this specific time. That doesn’t mean that they won’t love the next piece you send to them! When I get a rejection letter, I first read the comments to see if there is any advice I can glean or ways I can improve for next time. Then, I submit my story or essay or article somewhere else.

It is so important for people out there to know about rejection, because the general public usually only hears about the success part of a person’s career. That makes us all think it is much easier than it really is!

Yes! It took me more than a year to find my literary agent. A year of rejection, rejection, rejection – until finally, I found my perfect match. My agent understands my writing and has faith in my career. I just had to have the patience and perseverance to find her!

Tell us about WriteOnBooks.org. What was your main goal when you started this website?

With my website I wanted to create a place where young writers can go to find resources and inspiration, as well as connect with other young writers. I started the site to coincide with my latest endeavor, which is starting a publishing company, Write On! Books, that publishes anthologies of stories, poems and essays written by young writers for young audiences. The goal is to give young people a much-needed outlet for expression and connection, while also hopefully inspiring a love of reading in youth. As a young writer, sometimes it can be hard to get people to take you seriously and get editors to even read your work. I believe that young people have a voice and opinions and a life perspective that just as important as the voice of adults. Moreover, there are so many books for young people that are written by adults – but who knows what its like to be a kid better than a kid herself? I am eager to read submissions from young writers — they can e-mail me at [email protected] or visit my website www.writeonbooks.org for more information.

Part of your website is Write On! For Literacy. What does that entail?

In a recent national assessment conducted by the National Literacy Institute (NLI) of fourth-grade students, 13% reported never reading for fun on their own; an additional 16% only read for fun once a month. I think this is a travesty. Reading has brought me so much excitement, confidence and has opened so many doors for me, including a tremendous college education and a career that I love.

Writing and reading have given me so much fulfillment and self-confidence, and opportunities that I never would have been given otherwise – like traveling to New York to be a guest on The CBS Early Show when I was writing a column for Family Circle magazine. I feel other kids should be exposed to writing and reading as well, to encourage their self-confidence and self-expression. When I published my first book, There’s a Huge Pimple On My Nose, in fifth grade, the teachers in my elementary school asked me to talk to their classes, and then I spoke to other classes throughout the school district. I still enjoy talking to kids about writing. At the beginning of my talk, I ask the kids if any of them are interested in writing, and usually a few shy hands raise. In contrast, at the end of my talk when I ask the same question, a lot more hands raise. The students told me they didn’t know that kids could be writers. They thought they had to wait until they were adults.

I started “Write On! For Literacy” in 2001 to encourage kids to discover joy, confidence, a means of self-expression and connection to others through reading and writing. My website www.writeonbooks.org features writing contests, book reviews, fun writing prompts, and more. I also hold an annual Holiday Book Drive to collect and distribute new books to disadvantaged kids — more than 10,000 books have been donated to date.

If one of our readers wants to sponsor a local holiday book drive for your organization, what should he or she do?

That would be wonderful! Write On! would love for you to start a Holiday Book Drive chapter in your area! It can be as large or small of an effort as you have the time and energy for. Many chapter leaders begin book drives by inviting friends and relatives to get involved, and then broaden their efforts to area schools, churches and community groups. I have found in my own efforts that often people in the community want to get involved with literacy endeavors, but aren’t sure how — when they hear about the Holiday Book Drive, they are very excited to help out.

If you are interested in starting a Holiday Book Drive chapter, please e-mail me at [email protected] and I will add you to our chapter list. I can also send you flyers to help spread the word and get the ball rolling!

Wow, Dallas. You sure have a lot of energy! What are you most proud of thus far in your writing career?

It is always fantastic to get fan letters and e-mails from readers who have enjoyed my work. Nothing makes my day more than a sweet note from someone who has been touched by my writing!

I think I am most proud, however, of Write On! and my literacy endeavors. When a boy tells me that he believes in his own potential after hearing my talk, or a girl tells me that she wants to be a writer now after visiting my website, it makes me feel like I am making a positive difference, and that is something to truly be proud of.

What are your hopes for the future of your writing career?

I truly hope to make a positive difference in the lives of others through my writing and literacy endeavors. I believe writing can connect people and foster understanding, and that is what I hope to do in my career.

I have started to write another novel, which I’m in the early exciting stages of – writing and waiting to see where the story will lead me. I’m also a staff writer for the websites GradtoGreat.com, TweenParent.com, and Listen magazine, a publication that encourages kids to make smart choices and stay away from drugs and alcohol. I’m having fun working on play scripts and submitting them to festivals. I’m also the coordinator for the Young Writers Program of the Santa Barbara Writers Conference – I really enjoy interacting with other young writers, and I hope to expand the program and continue to be involved with the conference for many years to come.

What advice do you have for children (or adults) who are considering a career as a writer?

Enjoy the process! As John Wooden says, “The journey is better than the inn.” In addition, publishing my books has taught me not to be afraid to take risks, and to take the initiative when you have an idea and make it happen yourself rather than letting fear and doubt make you wait. Because, why wait? Take small steps towards your dreams, and small steps can snowball into amazingly big opportunities!

Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us, Dallas. Your accomplishments and attitude are an inspiration, not only for young people, but also for the countless adults out there who are afraid to take risks. You are living proof that one is never too young to take action and make a difference. Please stay in touch with Smart Poodle Publishing and let us know about your future publishing endeavors.

To reach Dallas Woodburn, visit her website by clicking here or email her at [email protected].

We try to keep our links list (over to the left, if you're reading this at stonearchbooks.blogspot.com) updated when Stone Arch Books is mentioned elsewhere in the blogosphere or on Internet news outlets. But today, there are a couple of things worth pointing out specifically.

Over at Paul Kupperberg's blog, the author of The Kid Who Saved Superman has posted a detailed write-up of his tour to the DC Comics headquarters with some of our staff and the winner of the DC Super Heroes contest. Check it out here.

And author Steve Brezenoff is hosting a contest for a bunch of books at his blog. Click here and leave a comment about a school memory for a chance to win.

Enjoy!

Last week Tina Nichols Coury posted a writing tip of mine on her blog, Tales from the Rushmore Kid. The post before mine, she shared an interview with award-winning author Kathi Appelt, my VC advisor for this semester. How serendipitous! Hop on over for a look!

Yeah! We’ve blessed with another fabulous Lilly Badilly book review! Reviewer Ronna Mandel loves Lilly! Please click here to read the review. And while you’re at, check out her other kids book reviews and the entire LA Parent website.  You don’t have to live in CA to get a lot of great ideas from this site.

Thank you Ronna!

I love KidsTurnCentral.com. It’s a popular, adorable, entertaining, educational, safe place for kids to be. And I have to tell you, I’ve found my 48-year-old-self addicted to clicking on links, playing the games and browsing the site for great info. I’m sure I’m not the only Mom or children’s book author who cannot stop using this site either.

Wendy Hogan started the site back in 2001 to offer a completely safe place for kids to go online. Over the years it has developed into what you see today, through Wendy’s dedication to giving her loyal readers what they really want. The site is colorful, easy to use and uncluttered. (I despise hodgepodged, overly busy websites,)

There are so many ways to entertain and educate kids here. The Games Tab offers endless hours of fun puzzles from sliders and crosswords to jigsaws and maze and everything in between. I started doing some of the slider puzzles, and it was hard to stop. Find yourself stumped about what to do with your kids on a rainy day? Click on the Color Tab and print out page after page of cute pictures to color. You can choose by themes, holidays and more.

Speaking of Holidays, just click on the Holidays Tab, choose a holiday and find dozens of activities relating to it. You’ll find history, trivia,  crafts relating to the holiday and more. And since I am a big fan of crafts, I absolutely love the Craft Tab. It offers tons of creative projects such as costume making, paper maiche, tie dye, leaf pressing, Christmas crafts and tons more. You can also find a nice collection of clipart you can use for free with a link back to the site. You can also click on a list of contests for kids, including our very own “I Love Costa Rica’s Rainforest!” Contest.

If all this entertainment weren’t enough, click on the Hot Topics Tab to find info galore on the latest news for kids, science, seasons, genealogy, how to manage money, babysitting tips, sports and buckets more. At the bottom of each page there are darling icons to click on that bring you to even more pages of educational fun.

With Kids Turn Central, parents will never run out of really cool ideas to entertain their children. We commend Wendy for putting together such a fun and essential place for kids to go and get their creative juices flowing.

Smart Poodle Publishing subscribes to Role Mommy’s informative newsletter, which links back to the website - one of my absolute favorites. This is a terrific place for busy moms everywhere to stay informed about all things that might interest them. The mission of Role Mommy is “Helping your children realize their hopes and dreams doesn’t mean you have to give up on your own.” As a working Mom/business owner myself, I can so relate to that. Beth Feldman, President of Role Mommy (and so much more!) was kind enough to answer some questions for us today.

Beth Feldman

I love the mission of Role Mommy. What inspired you to come up with that?

When I became a new mom I was always fascinated by stories of women who were pursuing their passion while raising a family.  I wanted to know what made them tick, what inspired them to still do what they love despite the stress, time constraints and mommy guilt.  And after meeting with and interviewing countless women who are still going after their dreams while juggling motherhood, I felt that they were role models or “Role Mommies” who should be celebrated.

What do you hope your readers can get from your website?

What I hope is that readers will be entertained and inspired when they visit Role Mommy.  From celebrity interviews, humorous essays, recommendations and profiles of amazing moms, when you visit our site, it’s like that chocolate box scene from “Forrest Gump” – you never know what you’re gonna get.

What is Role Mommy University?

We are in the process of developing a program for mothers who are entrepreneurs, authors and parenting experts where we will provide them with the tools they will need to garner exposure for their brand, book or product.  We are currently scheduling these events in NYC that will then be made available online.

How do you come up with ideas for your blog?

I come up with ideas in a variety of ways.  If I’m out and about with my family I usually find that divine inspiration strikes and I get some great ideas for humorous posts.  I’m also invited to lots of media events and while I can’t make them all, I definitely attend the ones where I can get an interview with one of my favorite stars (you can check out our interview with Kelly Ripa for one of my latest big gets).  I’m also contacted regularly by enterprising moms and PR agencies and again, I pursue stories that interest me.  I’m an entertainment junkie, love to read chick lit and inspiring books and also love to showcase the incredible moms who have joined our community.

In a sea of countless Mommy Blogs and websites, what makes Role Mommy so unique?

Role Mommy is a place for every mom.  If you’re doing something in your life that you’re passionate about, then we want to hear about it. We hope that when you visit our site, we can make you laugh or you are inspired by the stories of our Moms of Reinvention.

What do you like best about your work at Role Mommy?

Being able to connect with incredible women from all over the country who are doing amazing things in their lives and writing funny stories about my hectic life as a working mom with a husband, two kids, two cats, a hermit crab and a lizard that will be joining our brood this summer.  I guess what I’m saying is my home life is like a zoo and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

In addition to publishing your website, you are President of BeyondPR, an entertainment public relations agency in NY. Can you tell us about that?

Before I left corporate America, I was a vice president for the CBS Communications Group where I spearheaded PR efforts for four divisions of the company including entertainment, marketing, consumer products and digital media.  When I left CBS, I launched a public relations consulting firm and over the last two years have worked on a host of entertainment projects for TNT, TBS, CBS, Yahoo and Lifetime Television.  I’m also frequently hired by entertainment and toy companies to tap into the mom blogger market.  So in essence, my passion for motherhood has now dovetailed with my public relations agency.

Beth with her Children and Husband - One Happy Family!

How on earth do you find time to manage the website and the agency and be a wife and Mom to two children and two cats?

Let me stop you right there – today I purchased a tank for a new lizard we’ll be taking into our home when my son comes home from school tomorrow.  Plus, we have two hermit crabs too.  I pretty much work a lot.  I try to stay away from my laptop when my kids are awake but once they go to sleep, I’m back online, writing, pitching, social networking and pretty much doing what I love.  I now have to run and break up a scuffle between my elderly cat and psychotic kitten.

I’m laughing, because your life actually sounds like a sitcom! Beth, you are quite possibly the busiest mom in America! When (or if) you have an hour to yourself, how would you best like to spend it?

I love getting pedicures and judging from my toes, I’m in desperate need of one right about now.  I also enjoy slipping on my headphones, strapping on my rollerblades and singing some of my favorite show tunes and pop songs as I zip around my neighborhood.

I understand you have a funny story about the early birth of your son, Dylan, and how that did not stop you from working. At that time you were employed by CBS, right?

My son was born three weeks early, as I was in the midst of planning the finale for “The Amazing Race,” scheduling a major photo shoot with the cast of “The King of Queens” and arranging for the entire cast of CSI to ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange.  I never realized that the stress from all three shows would cause me to go into pre-mature labor, but it did.  On the day I went into labor, I was busy emailing my assistant (this was before Blackberries) while clutching the wall between contractions.  Within a few hours, my son literally flew out of me (now I know why women give birth in rice patties and go back to work right afterwards).  I then spent the next few days in bed watching all my stars appear on the talk shows I had booked for them before Dylan decided to make his entrance into the world.

Now that’s dedication! Eventually you talked your boss into telecommuting. You must have been a bit nervous about asking. How did you present the idea?

When I was set to go back to work after my daughter was born, I asked my boss if he would give me the chance to telecommute twice a week.  He agreed to give me a trial run for six weeks and it worked out really well.  So much so, that my actions paved the way for other women in the department to work from home too.

Your PR work sounds fascinating. Of all the campaigns you’ve worked on, what’s your favorite?

Hands down, my favorite campaign was the finale of “Everybody Loves Raymond.”  From creating a collector’s item press kit that resembled a family photo album, to arranging a marathon day of press appearances for the cast where they appeared on nearly every national talk and entertainment show on television, to the moment when they rang the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange.  I’ll never forget the moment when Doris Roberts reached reached for my hands and said to me, “Honey, you should be so proud of yourself.  Look what you’ve accomplished today – don’t you ever forget it.”  We then ended the night at the Ritz Carlton in Battery Park City where the cast, writers, producers, close family and friends got the chance to celebrate the final episode with a private screening party that I helped spearhead too.  It was truly one of the most amazing moments of my career and I will never forget it.

You have co-authored a book with Yvette Manessis Corporon called “Peeing in Peace: Tales & Tips for Type A Moms.” What a hilarious title. Can you tell us about the book?

After the finale of “Everybody Loves Raymond,” Yvette, who was a producer at “Extra” and I got together for lunch and realized we both wanted to write a book about what it was like balancing work, family and everything in between.  We wanted to present the lighter side of working motherhood and we spent the summer in my basement writing our book proposal.  While we initially weren’t able to get the book published traditionally, we decided to self publish through NK Publications, who actually managed to sell the book into Borders.  Within weeks, we snagged a new agent and she sold the book to Sourcebooks and the rest is history.  The book is now available online through Amazon, Borders and in stores like Barnes and Noble and Destination Maternity.  And, it’s even available in Portugal too!

I’ve got to read that! Where can our readers buy it?

The best way to find the book is on Amazon – we always love driving our numbers up with tons of Amazon sales!  And I’m also proud to announce that my next book, “See Mom Run:  Side-splitting Essays from the World’s Most Harried Blogging Moms” will be published this fall by Plain White Press.

What advice do you have for the woman who wants it all?

Any mom can have it all – She just can’t have it all at once.  Always do the things you love – even if it’s just for one hour per week.  Never lose yourself in the process of becoming a mom – you are an incredible individual who is a role model to your children.  Do what you love and the rest will fall into place.

So well put, Beth! I am sure our readers are inspired - not only by your accomplishments - but also by your philosophy on life. It is obvious that school of thought has a great deal to do with your success. Your energy is relentless and your passion for what you do is awe-inspiring. Thank you for enlightening us and supporting hard-working moms all over the world. Please stay in touch as we’d all love to hear what’s in store for you, your future Role Mommy endeavors and naturally, your expanding “zoo” at home.

To reach Beth Feldman, click here. To subscribe to the free Role Mommy newsletter, click here.

ContestForMoms.com - This extensive website was created by Amanda Compton in 2003. What started out as a hobby has turned in to the leading contest & sweepstakes site for moms online! She offers an expansive list of contests and sweepstakes available for moms everywhere in the world. So if you are a contest junkie, this is the place to go!!! In addition to contests and sweepstakes, you will find parenting articles, giveaways, Holiday ideas, recipes, crafts, safety info, everything for babies and much more. I got addicted to the site when I found and kept on clicking page after page. She has 3 blogs on the site, the buzz blog (parenting crafts, frugal tips & more), the contest & sweeps blog, and our very own mom blog - Petite Mommy, where Amanda openly blogs about her daily life as a home business mom/ small town mom. Do check it out!

YoungPupil.com -  I am all for websites that promote education, and here is an excellent site. The creators of Young Pupils set out to give parents the tools they need to ensure their kids get the best education possible. They know that the first 8 years of a child’s life are extremely important to their future development. There is a blog on the home page with informative, well-written articles, info about homeschooling and links to other important educational websites. It is an uncomplicated website (Yeah!)  and easy to use, something we can all appreciate.

As you know, I am the Geography Awareness Editor at Wandering Educators, a great site for travelers and those dreaming about taking a new journey. You’ll find excellent articles, travel tips, photographs, guidebook reviews, and a lot more.

Well, publisher Jessie Voigts, PhD is hosting a big event on her site tomorrow to celebrate the One Year Anniversary of Wandering Educators. Wandering Educators is giving away a ton of great guidebooks, children’s books, gift cards, travel games and more!

How to win great prizes in the Wandering Educators 1st Anniversary Giveaway Party:

1. Register at www.WanderingEducators.com - it’s free and easy and keeps the site spam-free. (Signing up will NOT result in you receiving junk emails)
2. On April 20, leave a comment on ANY article on the site - you’ll be automatically entered.
3. Check in every hour on April 20 for prize updates.
4. Use Twitter to retweet details about the giveaway and you’ll be entered for special prizes.

Here is a list of the co-sponsors (Including us!!)
Amanda Koster, Bridgedale Socks, BedandBreakfast.com, Barbary Chaapel, DesignerOcean.com, DK Eyewitness Travel,  Donna Seim, Eat Smart Guides, Family Adventure Guidebooks, Fodor’s, Frommer’s, Good Night and God Bless, Indie Travel Podcast/Indie Travel Guides, Inkwater Press,
IrishFireside.com, Joel Carillet & AuthorHouse, Krista Perry Dunn, Lamplighter Studio, Little Cream Books, Living Mindfully, Lonely Planet, Mapping.com, NAFSA: Association of International Educators, Newcomer’s Handbooks, Noambit.com, Not For Tourists, Out of the Box Publishing, Oxford University Press, Peter E. Randall, RED ROCK TV, Roaring Forties Press, Rough Guides, S1- Safety First, Smart Poodle Publishing, Tonia Goslett, Travelfish.org, TurkeyTravelPlanner.com, whereamiwearing.com, and Wine Travel Guides.

P.S. Jessie Voigts, PhD is one of our new I Love Cost Rica’s Rainforest! Contest judges! How perfect is that?

World Blog Archive

Are you a blog reader? Of course you are! You are reading this one! Are you a blogger? Want to increase your readership? Check out World Blog Archive. This brand new site, created by Publisher Greg Davis, archives blogs and promotes RSS and Atom feeds. And it is free! If your blog fits into one of the categories below, or if you are looking for interesting blog entries to read in these categories, you’re set.

• Art
• Auto
• Business
• Economy
• Entertainment
• Fashion
• Finance
• Food
• Gaming
• Health
• Home
• Mixed
• Non-Profit
• Parenting
• Personal
• Pets
• Reference
• Religion
• Sports
• Technology
• Travel

Greg Davis got the idea to archive different blogs after starting a successful social networking site for scuba divers. I asked him about what gave him the idea to launch his website:

“I came up with the idea for WBA after creating a similar service for scuba divers on DiveBuddy.com.  Bloggers that write about scuba diving can have their external blog automatically imported into DiveBuddy to be shared with 1000’s of scuba divers.  I figured I could create a similar service…but for all types of bloggers…so WBA was born. I didn’t want bloggers to send updates every time they write something new and I wanted it to be more in the favor of bloggers regarding the terms of service and content sharing options.”

Greg Davis, Publisher

What I like about listing my blog here is that the site tracks the number of views each of your entries receive.  You can also choose the amount of content you want to share with the archive readers.

World Blog Archive may be new, but it is growing quickly. It’s exciting to join in from the very beginning, watch it grow and see the results. Remember, every place you list your blog is yet another opportunity to attract more readers.

Tonia McAllister from All American Mommy is a Mega Mommy Blogger Powerhouse and a true inspiration. Like many other Mommy Bloggers, Tonia reviews products that benefit children and families. But Tonia has a unique mission. She supports companies that give back to their communities and is an advocate for charities. We all admire that!

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Tonia has been kind enough to take the time to answer some interview questions. . .

Please describe your blog for us, and tell us about your readers.

All American Mommy is a blog that provides tips and advice for moms and women, along with product reviews and fun giveaways. It’s also a vehicle for sharing information on great charities and companies that help support them. I feel strongly compelled to help promote WAHMs (Work at Home Moms) and companies that support charities. After all, if we buy from these companies we are also helping the charities that they support. My readers are moms and women of all age groups. I have readers in the US, Canada and parts of Europe. Many of these women have become great friends of mine.

What attracted you to blogging in the first place?

Actually, there were many things. A good friend of mine had been blogging for over a year, and she was really enjoying it. I knew that I wanted to start a blog that could help benefit others. All American Mommy was born and I’ve been addicted to blogging ever since. Yes, I am an addict, and I don’t want an intervention! I am also hopeful that through my blog and networking, I may someday have the opportunity for a career in what I like doing best – helping others.

How long have you been doing this?

I started in September 2008 with my feet running before they even hit the ground.

What do you like best about blogging?

I have met some incredible women through the site, and I love sharing my opinions and things or products that I feel strongly about. I love being able to contribute positively considering that the rest of our world can be so negative.

What skills have you developed just from blogging?

One thing is for sure - my communication skills have vastly improved. I have always been a good communicator, especially when dealing with customers in my current and past jobs. But being exposed to the world via the web is different. You’ve got to be able to get your point across so everyone can understand and appreciate it. If not, you will not retain your readers. In addition to writing, I’ve learned more about the technical aspects of managing a blog than I ever thought possible. Networking is a skill in itself, and there’s no better way to meet talented, generous people than by blogging. There’s always so much more to learn, but it’s exciting.

Is All American Mommy a full time job for you?

Oh, how I wish it were! I work full time during the day and blog at night after my daughter, Haley, goes to bed and also on the weekends. Some nights I stay up way too late, because time just flies by so fast. Blogging has been a fun outlet and hobby but I’d love to have the time and resources to make my site so much more!

What type of work have you done prior to your website?

I was a business owner for 8 years. While I was in college (at nearly 30 years old) I provided accounting and bookkeeping services for small businesses as well as prepared taxes for individuals. I still do a few tax returns for clients who just can’t let me go. I love it! I currently work full time as an executive assistant.

I know you have a beautiful 7-year-old daughter. Do you think your blog has helped you become a better parent? How so?

It really has helped. I think that for me it’s the “journaling” part of blogging that has inspired me to be a better parent. It gives me the time and opportunity to reflect on how blessed I am. Blogging requires me to think about what would be best for my family and others. I enjoy sharing stories about Haley and our family with my readers as well as hearing about theirs.

What is it like reviewing all those products?

It’s awesome but can sometimes be overwhelming. I know…who would think that it would be overwhelming? I feel that I have an obligation to my readers to present them with products that are great for their families so I always have to keep that in mind. I also have an obligation to the companies to help them in any way that I can.

How did you get interested in charities?

My grandparents taught me many great values including the pure joy of giving. They always lived a modest lifestyle. Everything that they own has been immaculately cared for, and the only time they ever splurged on themselves was on vacations a few times per year. They have given so much to their church, the community, friends and family. They are so grateful for all they have, and they generously want to share with those in need. As a matter of fact, I remember many years ago when my grandfather retired. He didn’t know what to do with his time and missed work so much that he decided to go back to work for the business part time. He gave away every penny he earned, because he simply didn’t need the money. What I respect most is that with all of the years of giving I never once heard my grandparents boast or even hint about their generosity, nor have their deeds ever been advertised. They never wanted a pat on the back or any recognition, because they know the true blessing is in the giving. That’s what inspires me.

How are your grandparents doing now?

My grandfather has suffered from Alzheimer’s for nearly 11 years, and my grandmother has devoted her time to caring for him at home. They have nurses come in throughout the day to help. It breaks my heart that she has had to watch her husband deteriorate through the years, but she stands strong by his side and refuses to put him in a nursing home. She’s such a strong woman who is filled with dedication. She’s my hero!

How do you and your site support charities and charitable companies?

I try to give them as much exposure as possible on my site, such as extra ad space  (gift guides, side bar buttons, etc.) at no charge for an extended period of time. I have helped raise money for the Gal To Gal Foundation, which supports women with breast cancer, on my site but have not been approached by any other charities for fundraising. On All American Mommy you’ll find some gifts that “give back” or special promotional products where a percentage of the sales from an item goes to a particular charity.

Your commitment to help others really gives your blog a commendable purpose.

I’ve been able to experience the blessing of giving myself and it’s a wonderful feeling! My passion is to take what I’ve learned and use it to help others. Helping others and giving is just a part of my personality and the way I was raised. You don’t need money to give - give of yourself, give your time, think outside of yourself and you’ll feel great about doing it!

What are your requirements for supporting companies that support their communities?

None really. If they’re doing something great within the community I want to share it with the world!

I noticed that you have written about domestic violence on your website. What advice would you give to a woman who is currently experiencing the terror of domestic violence and does not know where to turn?

Get out now! Seek help wherever you can find it, and use the resources available to you. The internet is a great place to start! Seek the help of a friend or local organization that can get you into a safe living environment and help you get back on your feet. Check out this website for assistance.

Are there any other charities near and dear to your heart?

LOVE Inc. Churches get together and network as affiliates in a most inspiring outreach program. This organization is so willing to help those in need all over the US that they will not turn anyone away who seeks help. They also provide references for other services available within the community.

Since you have told us that blogging does not provide you with enough financial support to be a full time job, what would be your ideal career?

It has always been my passion to be part of something that is meaningful. I would love to work for a company or a charity that is doing something for the greater good of their community and helping people who really need it! Being a business owner in the past, I don’t want to work for a company that only cares about the bottom line. Helping others is what I enjoy doing most, and that’s where All America Mommy is leading me.

It is such a pleasure to see and hear about what moms all across America are doing to make the world a better place. Tonia, thank you so much for taking the time to share your mission with us. Any organization out there that has your support is so fortunate! And any moms reading this, who may be considering starting a blog, will certainly be inspired by the information you shared with us today.

Please visit Tonia’s website, All American Mommy, by clicking here. Tonia McAllister can be reach via email at [email protected].

I’ve met an incredible Mom, a true giver and a well-admired blogger. Tonia McAllister from All American mommy is not just a Mommy Blogger, not just a Product Reviewer, but a supporter of charities and companies that support communities - a true philanthropist. She has the most positive outlook on life, is grateful and always ready to help someone out in need.

Take a look at her reveiw of Lilly Badilly and check out her website.

If you yourself has thought about blogging, or you admire women who make a difference, you’ll want to read our interview with Tonia, coming later this week.

6 -year-old Lillie, reporter from www.wanderingeducators.com reviewed Lilly Badilly today, and we are celebrating here at Smart Poodle! Please check it out.

“One of my very favorite books, EVER, is called The Travel Adventures of Lilly P. Badilly: Costa Rica (and not only because we share the same name).”

Take a few minutes to browse around the Wandering Educators website too. There is a ton of great info there if you are going to travel, thinking about traveling, are wondering about the world or wandering about the world!

I have been trying desperately to get the word out about the lack of geography knowledge in our schools. Please join me in the fight to ensure all American students get a well-rounded education!

Wandering Educators is a fabulous site to explore. You’ll love the wide variety of info and the unique writing styles.

Click here to read the article.

Here are some fun things happening on other blogs right now:

Shrinking Violets Promotions is doing a 12 Days of Christmas-Introvert Style (a little something to do for yourself).

Elizabeth Dulemba is offering holiday-related coloring pages every Tuesday (perfect to print out and have on hand for little ones).

My Readable Feast has a nice list of children’s books on Hanukkah.

Stories for Children has three Christmas-related crafts.

Jill Corcoran Books is having a great discussion on dialogue, for those of us who refuse to give up our writing focus during the holidays.

Season's readings!

Have you visited Lyved.com? You’ve got to check it out. Read this article about success. It is so well written and provides realistic and helpful tips about reaching your goals. There are tons of informative articles on this site that have to do with every day life. They are each thought-provoking and offer insight and solutions to many answers you may be seeking. It will be well worth your time to browse through the site regularly to benefit from the inspiring stories.

Also, if you are a writer, you can submit an idea for an article and get it published. Read this page if you are interested in submissions.

Christy from sensationaldivasreview.com enjoyed our book, The Travel Adventures of Lilly P. Badilly: Costa RIca.

Here’s what Christy had to say: “…during the time this book has sat on my shelf, my two year has requested to see it numerous times – he loves it. The illustrations (also by Debbie Glade) are bright, very colorful, and fun…”

Christy’s (along with 6 other diva’s) website is so colorful and homey, you’ll want to linger for a while. This is THE place to go for book reviews for both yourself and your kids. The site is well organized and easy to figure out how to navigate. We at Smart Poodle Publishing appreciate that more than you could know. (We are on line a lot and do not enjoy confusing websites!)

I recommend that you sign up for the RSS Feed so you don’t miss anything. Thank you Christy and son for reading and enjoying our book!

Laura from LaLagirl.org has 5 kids of her own (including 2 sets of twins) and an incredible sense of humor to go along with it! Here’s what she wrote

“…The CD includes authentic Costa Rican rainforest sound effects, lots of catchy music, and the goofiest cartoon voices you’ve ever heard.

A few weeks ago, my kids and I checked out this book and CD, and I’m going to include their commentary here in my review. Basically, we all thought this book was hysterical. The author’s cartoon voices are the best part. As soon as I heard Lilly “speak” I started giggling. I giggled even more when I heard the voice of Grandpa Willy Badilly. It’s actually become a big joke around our house - Kayley and I love to talk to and tease each other in the voices of Lilly and Grandpa. And my kids loved hearing Grandpa Willy, who has chronic gas, farting throughout the story. What can I say, we love potty humor in this house.

It’s a fun story with a great message - the themes it touches on include being happy with yourself and celebrating your uniqueness, facing your fears, helping others in need, and even being compassionate with those folks who are less kind than they ought to be. All great things for kids to hear about! And the CD is 35 minutes long - it’s great to pop in for a car trip across town.

Here are some of my kids’ thoughts on this book:

Grandpa Willy farts just like daddy farts! - Nikki, age 3.

Who is that man singing in the first song? Just some guy who decided to sing a song with Lilly? He isn’t in the story anywhere else! - Mallory, age 5.

They ate a brown banana! I don’t yike brown bananas! Only yellow bananas. - Lexi, age 3.

It’s a really fun book for the whole family. You can purchase this book directly from the author’s website, at LillyBadilly.com. Florida residents! You can have Lilly Badilly’s author, Debbie Glade, visit your school or library to speak about geography, culture, plants and animals, problem-solving, reading, writing, and all the other things she writes about in her book. I would be all over this, if I lived out there! I had a nice little conversation with the author, and found out that her husband is a twin, and that he and his twin sister were #6 and #7 for his folks. Can you imagine? I love that this book was a labor of love by the whole family - go buy it!”

Thank you Laura! Your review really put a smile on all our faces here at Smart Poodle Publishing!

As if it were not enough to be a Mom of 5, Laura somehow finds the time for her 5 beautifully designed websites. You must check them out!

1. LaLaGirl - Twinfinite Chaos! - Laura writes a lot about her kids and her life here (and includes photos), and it is very entertaining. You can find out more about her background, and she has a bunch of links to other great sites as well.
2. LaLaGirl Reviews - Laura reviews books (like Lilly Badilly!) toys, household products, baby products, TV shows, movies and more. She’ll tell you what her kids think as well, which is very valuable (and adorable) information.
3. Enginerd and Wife - This site is all about the author’s home improvement projects she does with her hubby.
4. Autism is Beautiful - Laura explains, “Many autism sites are all about the immunization debate. This is not one of those sites. This site is dedicated to helping parents embrace the beauty of their children with autism. These children are just as capable of learning as any other children. The challenge for us as parents and educators is to figure out the methods for teaching each unique child. Our goal is to help children with autism to learn to cope in “our” world, so they can lead happy, normal lives.” She recommends books, DVDs and toys for kids with autism. This is a valuable resource for parents and teachers alike.
5. How Do You Do It? - Here Laura tries to answer the question we all want the answer to - How do you raise 5 kids and have time to write and review products without going crazy? She even shows her Excel spreadsheet of all her motherly duties! Just reading about it all is overwhelming and makes me appreciate my Mother and Father-in-law more, who raised 7 kids in a 2 bedroom house.

Michigan Mom, Deb Steenhagen from momstakeonthings.com reviewed our book. “I found the character of Lilly P. Badilly to be very engaging and she was definitely someone that the girls could relate to as well. They especially liked the nickname of ‘Silly Badilly’ that is given to her, and laughed every time they heard it. We looked at the maps in the front of the book first, to see where Costa Rica is in comparison to America - it really helped to have the geographical placement fixed in their minds before we got into the story.

The book easily held our attention from the beginning - and the story was both fun and educational all at once. To me, the illustrations are definitely the focal point of the book - the bright colors and details are attractive and truly bring the story to life…

This is a good book for slightly older kids (it’s recommended for ages 5 to 10 and I would agree). The story is both entertaining and educational - and the illustrations are gorgeous. Having the CD available with the narration and music is a wonderful bonus and a good way for everyone in the family to enjoy the book and music together. Both of my older girls have read it themselves many times now too and we’ve added the CD to our collection of music and stories that we listen to in the van. It’s been quite a popular request lately. ”

Deb’s got 2 websites. Go to momof3girls.net to read her award-winning Mommy blog and view many photos of her really cute kids ages 2, 5 and 7. This website offers many links to other great sites. Deb has a great list of “100 Things About Me”. I’ve learned that she majored in Geography in college, and that is a perfect background for reading Lilly. Plus she played piano when she was younger. She is 5′ 2.5 inches, and I can relate. I am 4′ 11.5″ myself. So in comparison to me, she is tall! Deb has a full-time job in addition to being a Mom and blogger and reviewer of products! Wow, Deb, how do you do it?

Momstakeonthings.com is her product review site. She offers many contests/giveaways. She writes honest, refreshing reviews about a wide variety of products that would be of great interest to parents everywhere. Before you buy something, see what Deb has to say about it.

1. Kim at What’s That Smell? really made my day yesterday with her review of our book. She and her absolutely darling 4-year-old son listened to and read Lilly Badilly. Kim posted some precious photos of her son as he was reading the book. She wrote “When I asked my son what he liked about Lilly P. Badilly, he said “let me show you” and took the book and began leafing through it. He then looked up at me and said, “I liked everything about the book and the CD.” Can’t get much better than that!” Thanks so much Kim. Glad we could make you smile!

Kim’s blog is part of a partnership she has with her friend, Lori. The pair calls themselves “Accidental Mommies” and met while working at an architectural firm. Though they live a few hours away from each other and do not get together often, they share their life experiences on their website. They are sassy and creative and have a funny, refreshing view of parenthood. Their site offers great giveaways, reviews on products and books of interest to parents, and they even have paid research studies readers can participate in. Please check it out and visit often.

2. Lori at A Cowboy’s Wife enjoyed reading and listening to Lilly Badilly. She posted a really cute photo of her kids reading the book as well. Lori said, “Overall, I give this book a thumbs up for creativity, education, and entertainment. It was hoot to read and listen to and I recommend “The Travel Adventures of Lilly P. Badilly” to all.” Thank you, Lori for taking the time to read it, and I hope your kids are entertained over and over again with Lilly!

Lori’s website is unique. She is married to a real Texas cowboy and sums herself up quite well, “I can change my own tires, cook from scratch, and will voice my opinions on whatever topics I feel like. I am usually a lady but can and will kick your ___ if you tick me off. I hate liars & rudeness so if you have either of these traits, then don’t come to my blog. I blog about life, people, news, reviews, money, and will provide tips & freebies.” Gotta love her spunk. Lori even has a food and recipe website with tips and giveaways called My Wooden Spoon. Check her websites out.

There are so many smart, kind, funny Mommy bloggers out there I have “met” online. Here are 2 more who happened to really enjoy reading Lilly P Badilly and who also happened to have excellent websites of their own.

1. Val’s Views - Val listened to the book with her adorable son, who has some developmental days. He seemed to enjoy the CD (including Grandpa Willie’s farting!) and the book’s colorful illustrations.

Val of NJ, Mom of 2 boys, offers honest reviews on a variety of useful family type products - everything from soaps and lotions to books and yogurt drinks, and from appliances to clothing. I’d read what Val has to say about a product before I buy it, and so should you! This smart Mom mean business! Also, he offers lots of neat giveaways on her site, so visit often. We appreciate you taking the time to review Lilly Badilly, Val!

2. My Trendy Tykes - Linda reviewed Lilly Badilly and said, “My children loved the CD so much that they had to share it with their neighbor friends yesterday!

Linda is a stay at home Mom from MS with 3 kids, who homeschools her oldest child. She also makes bows and other crafts. she reviews a bunch of interesting products and offers links to some other great websites for homeschoolers and crafters. Her creativity really shows in her writing, and her straight forward approach is refreshing. Please visit her site! Thank you Linda for your review.

Heather from myfamilylovesit.com took the time to read Lilly Badilly with her kids, and they really enjoyed it.

My Family Loves It is a (cleverly named) parenting blog that covers every topic you can imagine from birthdays to crafts and from family trips to recipes. The family even writes about their pet chickens! And they love bugs too, just like Lilly. Heather’s family also reviews products and gives readers insightful info about what they think. They even tell you how to build your own backyard ice skating rink. (Although I cannot build a rink here in Miami, I can sure take delight in imagining it!) Plus there are links to freebies and contests and a whole lot more, including fabulous photos. So please check out the site if you haven’t done so already.

Jenifer Leet from The Dirtry Shirt Blog wrote a great review of Lilly Badilly! Mommy Bloggers rock!

If you haven’t checked out her website, please do so. It’s fantastic. She offers great information about homeschooling, parenting with a sense of humor and some links to other sites parents will love. You don’t have to be a homeschooler to enjoy reading this either.

But if you are a homeschooler, you must check out her Homeschol Hideout site. It is a place to exchange homeschooling ideas and connect with other parents with the same goals. Jennifer provides readers with a long list of links to help them get started with homeschooling as well. Here is a summary from the sites’s home page, so please take a few minutes to visit:

“…The Hideout is a place for Homeschooling mothers or fathers to come and share ideas and thoughts as well as to get tips on how to motivate your kids (any help in this area is greatly appreciated lol) So come on in and find what you need. Don’t see it? Then contact me and I will do my best to bring it to you. I am a 30 something homeschooling mom of three kids ages 11 months through “15 years. I am teaching in the 4th and 10th grade levels at this time.”