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Thanks for hosting me today, Mayra. I look forward to seeing how others have ideas for making reading fun and educational. Post your comments here. E :)

I think your series is brilliant! I wish my teachers would have used it years ago. Bravo!

It's a pleasure having you here, Elisabeth!

Thanks, Kathy. I hope we can get the word out to the schools. Remember there are study guides available that take the series from just supplementing social studies curricula to cross curricula (study guides offer research projects/discussion questions, which take a more in-depth look at some of the clues in the books; science projects or map/math skills (all based on a clue in the book), puzzles (cryptograms, fallen phrase puzzles, letter tiles, word searches, and double puzzles (an unscramble and numbered letter puzzle that is a secret message), and of course an end-of-book quiz, which can be used to supplement a grade or as extra credit or however the teacher feels it is necessary).

The more we get the word out (of course hoping that the more books in the series the are available the word will spread - lol) the better. I think being involved in some homeschool conferences this summer will also be a huge advantage to getting the word out beyond my little corner of the state of South Carolina - lol.

Anyone have any thoughts on books that are fun and educational at the same time? Kathy, I know your book is geared that way too, right? How about some thoughts on how to make reading fun and educational? E :)

In today's world incorporating entertainment is vital to learning. I don't see anything wrong with that. Its just th reality of the situation.

Quick Question: Can guys join the sisters in crime?

Stephen Tremp

That's a great point, Stephen. and yes, men can join sisters in crime also. If you go to the national website - sistersincrime.org or google Sisters in Crime, you will find a place to join. Most states have some local chapters and they also may have local dues but you can check it out. and if men join, they are called brothers. E ;)

It's so important to maintain and offer children not only 'fun' reads but educational ones in such a way that they don't realize they are being taught. GRIN And you've hit the perfect series. Kudos.

Amazing how times have changed. We didn't need stuff like this when we were kids.

Thanks, Lea. That is very important. And after all, we are all teachers so as long as we can have fun, there is no reason the children can't have fun - lol - E :)

Are you sure, Diane? We always needed fun things when we were kids. Probably were getting some fun and educational books in our day too, just didn't realize it - lol. Thanks for stopping by. E :)

This is a great article, Elysabeth. It think just about any topic if presented properly can be educational and fun. Like you say, it's finding just the right combination.

I think your series is such a useful tool in helping children learn about geography.

I agree with L. Diane, things have certainly changed. I think it's because of all the instant gratification (tv primarily) our society promotes causing much shorter attention spans.

Karen

I agree, Karen. Presenting any information in the right combination can turn a boring subject into something fun. I hated history in school but if the teacher made it fun, then it wasn't so bad. I'm not a geography buff either but have had my share of traveling and am at a point in my life that I kind of miss the days of old where we would move every couple of years or so when my father would be stationed to new place.

Thanks for stopping by everyone - the comments are really great and fun and interesting - lol - E :)

Great post, Elysabeth. I think we all can learn from your points.

Thanks, Katie. I hope everyone learns something and still has fun. I once told someone years ago (I think it was a comment to my husband) the day I stop learning is the day he should bury me. I'm continuously learning something new all the time, so I believe that as the older generation we have something to teach the younger one, and therefore, they will need something fun to get the point across. That's why I'm thankful that this series did come to fruition when it did. Again, thanks for stopping by everyone. The comments are great and I'm enjoying hearing your input on the subject matter at hand. E :)

I think everything written can be educational, especially if well-written.

Everything I write has something to learn included, even if not in plain sight.

Good article, Elysabeth.

Vivian

IDAHO, right? Sorry, I'm still hooked on the box of chocolates thing. Interesting interview...see I learned something already!

Dana, thanks for stopping by. You weren't supposed to guess the state - lol. I'm including a silly law in each of my books and all the laws are still on the books as far as my research says. The background on the first book is that the two boys are playing the game and they both like the same girl, Jolene, who shows up in future books, and their exchange goes something like this - Who would give someone a box of candy weighing fifty pounds?; I might give Jolene a box weighing one pound, but not fifty; Yeah, I'd just take your one pound box and tell her it was from me. Back and forth like that is what makes the reading fun.

I'm glad you all are learning something - thanks for stopping by everyone. I enjoyed sharing this article with you all. See you in the postings - E :)

Sounds like a great idea to me!

I agree, this is a great way to provide education with fun :)

What a wonderful article! Your example of "In this state, it is illegal to give another citizen a box of candy weighing more than fifty pounds" is excellent -- I cannot imagine any young reader not being completely intrigued by that statement! Thanks, Mayra and Elysabeth!

Dallas, thanks for the encouragement. I thought it would be fun to include a silly law that is still on the books for each state. Kids seem to enjoy silly things like that and even though it is fun, it is also educational in that they are learning something about the state that they didn't know before. That was the first clue that came to my head when writing the article. It is an actual clue in book #1 - State of Wilderness.

Hopefully everyone who writes educationally geared material will incorporate some fun in their writing as well. If we can't have fun as a writer, how can we expect our readers to have fun? Again, thanks to everyone who stopped by and commented - E :)

Popping in to offer my support and encouragement. These are great books. I can't wait to read the latest one.

I do think you've achieved a great balance between education and fun with this series. I'm trying to do something similiar for my daughter with math. She's always bugging to work on a book with me, so I think if I can find a way to make the concepts she struggles with in math fun, we can put together a short series of books that she will enjoy. I don't think I would seek to get them published, as she's only 8 and she wants to act as the illustrator for these, but you never know. Even if I just used Lulu, it would be neat for her to see her name on a book.

Best of luck with these books, Elysabeth.

Cheryl

Cheryl, Guardian Angel Publishers publishes books by kids (Mayra is a testament to that as her daughter has a book published by them - check her sidebar for more info on that). Also, There is a lady who does have a math series published - but I'm at a loss for her name right now and maybe someone else will know who I'm talking about - but the series looks like something worth checking into if your daughter is struggling. From what I remember it makes learning math skills fun - I'll try to look her up and shoot you here website via email -

I'm anxiously awaiting third and fourth to get out (Aidana has been ill with the flu; her son has the swine flu so they've been fighting some ugliness there.) I'm trying to be patient but am so anxious to see the next two come available - Vivian said my fourth one is my best yet - so hopefully you will see a difference in the writing too. Will let you know when they are available for your review - E :)