By: Aviva LeShaw,
on 8/9/2016
Tuba, trumpet, trombone...which one should you pick up this fall? Read below to learn what makes the trombone the right choice, and to find out a little more about this bass instrument's long history.
The post 10 facts about the trombone appeared first on OUPblog.
This month's themed art is Family. I thought I'd share some animal moms and their families.
By: JOANNA MARPLE,
on 4/11/2014
Title: Slithery Snakes Story and art by Roxie Munro Published by Amazon Publishing, 2013 Ages: 7-11 Themes: snakes, habitats, skin patterns Nonfiction, 40 pages. Available in hard back and eBook formats. Opening Lines: Can you guess what kind of snake this is? … Continue reading
Add a Comment
5 Stars Lego Ninjago Graphic Novels #4: Tomb of the Fangpyre Greg Farshtey Papercutz 64 Pages Ages: 6+ ............... ....................... Tomb of the Fangpyre is book four in the Masters of Spinjitzu series. Four masters Jay, Cole, Zane, and Kai are lead by the Master Sensei Wu. They are in an ongoing battle with the [...]
By: Melissa Wiley,
on 8/3/2012
Yes, again. This is what happens when you build suburbs in the chaparral.
This time, we weren’t on a hiking trail in the hills. This time, we were running down the path from the water fountain to the playground at a park we only just discovered this morning. Upon arrival, I wrote Scott: “This is the best park I’ve seen since we moved here.” Beautiful place. Towering trees shading a narrow creek (more stones than water) and an elaborate playground—a welcome improvement on the sunbaked playgrounds we usually frequent. Enormous rocks for climbing, glorious golden hills rising up just beyond the park’s borders, a conveniently located restroom, a functioning water fountain. Before the first child had reached the top of the slide, I was envisioning a regular weekly park day at this heretofore undiscovered (by me, at least) gem.
The kids ran around the playground for half an hour; Beanie spent a long time pushing Rilla on the swings. Then we meandered over to the creekbed, watched a squirrel, climbed a tree, and after a bit, I decided it was sunny enough on the trail beyond the park fence that we could risk a short walk. Too hot for rattlers on the path at that time of day, I reasoned. But Wonderboy was spooked by the memory of that other rattler, the big one we happened upon on a similar trail, and we turned back after a only a few minutes. Back to the swings, the rocks, the blissfully cool shade under the trees.
On the way to the water fountain, Huck complained of mulch in his shoes. I stripped them off: he’s happier barefoot. He raced up the short stretch of sidewalk between playground and fountain, following the others. I trailed behind, stepping over a few fallen leaves and scattered twigs. Drinks accomplished, we turned to head back to the playground. Huck was in front, still barefoot, and I registered that the stick he was about to jump over wasn’t a stick at all just as he did, in fact, jump over it. His chubby bare foot hit the ground about an inch from the slithering, diamonded, triangle-headed, rattle-having stick.
I screamed. Launched myself between Huck and the snake. It wasn’t a big rattler, and it was leaving the path in a hurry, heading for the aforementioned blissful shade under the trees. I backed the kids way up, looked around wildly—and then, yes, took a picture. I mean, I was already holding my camera, and it was clear the thing wanted to put some distance between itself and my pack of wild monkeys.
By this point the playground was filled with a group of day-camp kids who’d arrived for a picnic. I hustled my kids back toward the parking lot, stopping to alert the camp counselors to the presence of the snake. They put in a call to Animal Control and herded their charges to the cement-floored picnic area. The snake hung out under the swings—Rilla’s swing—for a bit and then chan
Add a Comment
By: Aurora,
on 2/29/2012
Opposnakes a Lift the Flap Book about Opposites by Salina Yoon is a great concept teaching tool. Bright and lively illustrations with friendly faced snakes introduce opposites in a fun way! Few words are used which will engage young ones and also emerging readers can confidently read their own way to the end. Really great find!
ALSO TRY:
One Weighs a Ton by Salina Yoon
The Crayola Rainbow Colors Book by Salina Yoon
Super Babies on the Move by Salina Yoon
By: Karen Romano Young,
on 5/30/2011
by Heather Tomlinson, author of Toads and Diamonds
Authors are often told to “write what you know.” But what if you don’t? Research is the key to making the fantastical, believable. In the course of writing a novel, a writer can become completely immersed in finding out about a wide variety of subjects. In this case, reptiles. For as long as it takes to write the book, we become experts.
As for you, gentle reader? Prepare to test your herpetology knowledge!
True or False:
It’s difficult to tell poisonous snakes from harmless ones.
True. Some poisonous snakes do have distinguishing characteristics such as: a triangular head; vertical “catlike” pupils; a hole or pit between the animal’s eyes that is a heat sensor allowing it to track live prey; specific coloring or feature like a cobra’s hood. But non-poisonous snakes may mimic poisonous snakes in coloring or behavior to fool other predators.
from Indian Snakes, An Elementary Treastise on Ophiology, With a Descriptive Catalog of the Snakes Found in India and the Adjoining Countries, by Edward Nicholson]
Cobras are the world’s most venomous snakes.
False. In terms of toxicity, their venom doesn’t make the top ten list (Ernst & Zug, 1996). Russel’s viper, several varieties of sea snakes and kraits, for example, are far more deadly.
Touching a toad can give you warts.
False. Warts are caused by a virus that enters the skin via a scratch or cut.
Most snakes live in the desert.
False. Snakes live in a variety of habitats, including the water, forest, swamps, prairies, and even glaciers.
Snakes eat other snakes.
True. Some species’ diet consists primarily of other snakes. For other species, food items may include insects, birds, fish, small mammals, and other reptiles.
Snakes drink milk.
False. According to Indian Snakes.org, “The ‘milk drinking’ snakes shown by snake charmers are severely dehydrated and hence they will drink milk which is normally watered down and given to them.”
Poisonous snakes are an issue for people living in India.
True. In 2008, according to UPI, about 80,000 snakebites were reported, resulting in 11,000 deaths. Most take place in rural areas without immediate access to medical treatment and anti-venom.
Some snakes carry a diamond in their heads.
False. Totally a myth!
Under certain circumstances, a girl might wind up speaking toads and snakes with every word she says, which could lead to all sorts of misadventures.
True! So, so true.
Add a Comment
By: Tasha Saecker,
on 7/7/2010
Can I Play Too? by Mo Willems
If you are ever looking for a picture book or easy reader sure to pull a child in and get them adoring books, pull any of Mo Willems books off the shelf. His Elephant and Piggie series is so simple, yet profound and funny. This latest book in the series is one of the best in the bunch. Here we see Elephant, the careful and more serious character, and Piggie, who is loud and enthusiastic. The two of them are best friends, which alone has led to some great books. Add Snake who wants to join them in playing ball. Of course, that’s a problem because Snake can’t really catch since he doesn’t have arms. But that doesn’t mean he can’t try and it certainly doesn’t mean that Piggie can’t figure out a solution that will have them all playing together.
Willems is the master of brevity, capturing entire scenes in a few words and his simple illustrations. His book are perfection for early readers but also make great read alouds thanks to his skill in writing. His characters are beautifully drawn, offering so much in so few words and images. It is magic on a page.
In this book, Willem’s natural humor comes pouring forth into a vaudeville-like scene that will have children laughing aloud, guffawing even. It is a special easy reader that will have my teenage son crowding us on the couch to be able to see. But then, all he needed to hear was that it was a Mo Willems book and it was funny.
Guaranteed success between two covers, this book is laugh-out-loud funny, wry and as always with Willems, big hearted. Appropriate for ages 3-6 and the occasional thirteen-year-old.
Reviewed from library copy.
Also reviewed by:
Add a Comment
By: Shari Lyle-Soffe ,
on 5/28/2010
By: Eric Orchard,
on 1/25/2010
Some more sketchbook work. My current sketchbook is the Hand* Book. This sketchbook caught my eye because of the colour and unusual shape. The white, thick paper is lovely as well.
By: TinaFerraro,
on 6/29/2009
Steph got us talking about accidental roadkill last week, and many of us had stories about how we’d unfortunately taken ended some lives in the animal kingdom.
Well, today I’ve got a story about how one of them came to my rescue.
It was Saturday morning, and I'd decided to take a walk because I’m trying to tone up to look fairly decent in my gown for the Rita awards next month. I slapped on my headphones and set off. Early on, I noticed an unusual number of black crows flying around, scavenging, and then one with a nice hunk of bagel. Since I talk to random animals all the time--but don’t worry about me too much for they don’t respond--I applauded him for his breakfast “score,” as I moved on.
A half-hour later, I'm on a sidewalk two miles away, bopping to my CD (because I a firm believer in walking as if nobody’s looking), when out of nowhere, a black crow dive-bombs the strip of grass between the sidewalk and the street ahead of me.
Suddenly a six foot plus rattlesnake jackrabbits up and across the sidewalk, running for HIS life. Where it had been, I guess, sunning. And maybe coiled.
Maybe I should add here that I have a screaming, out-of-my-mind snake phobia. To the extent that back in college, I could not enter a certain classroom building because its first floor corridor was lined with CAGED snakes. And which is why the only snake that appears in this post is cartoon and "almost" cute.
When I regain consciousness (miraculously I am still breathing and somehow across the street), I realize that had that crow not shown up, I would have dance-walked right up to that rattlesnake, most likely startling the thing.
Arg, sputter, gasp.
And because I am a total drama queen, newspaper headlines started screaming in my head:
WOMAN SAVED BY DIVE-BOOMING CROW FROM RATTLESNAKE ATTACK
CROWS COMMUNICATE TO SAVE CRAZY WOMAN
LOCAL AUTHOR SAVED FROM RATTLESNAKE BY CROW (BUT WILL SHE LOOK GOOD IN HER RITA DRESS?)
WOMAN FACES BIGGEST FEAR AND LIVES TO BLOG ABOUT IT
By: Mayra Calvani,
on 6/5/2009
Author and freelance editor Margot Finke writes midgrade adventure fiction and rhyming picture books. For many years she's lived in Oregon with her husband and family. Her 6 books series of rhyming picture books are fun and educational. They bring kids closer to many of the neat animals in the US and Australia. Excerpts and illustrations from these books can be viewed on her BOOKS page, along with instructions on how to BUY and great reviews.
"Musings," her monthly column for children's writers, can be read in The Purple Crayon and the SCBWI NewsWorthy magazine. Her Website offers help to upcoming writers, and her Critique Service can help you iron out plot and character problems.
In this tour, Margot is promoting her latest picture book, Rattlesnake Jam. I had the chance of reviewing this book recently, and all I can tell you is that it's disgustingly delicious! Read my review HERE.
Hi, Margot! Thanks for stopping by my blog today. Why don't you start by telling us 5 unusual things about yourself?
I was born in the land Down Under
I am scared of driving
I love speaking to large audiences - no fear at all!!
With a name like "Finke" I had to develop a good sense of humor
I don't have a belly button.
You write because...
To not write is unthinkable. I think some people get double dibbs on the writing gene. I know I did. When an idea or a character takes over your every waking hour, and a big chunk of your dreams, it means that sooner or later, you have to put everything else on hold, and put those thoughts into words, sentences, paragraphs and chapters. Soon, a book is born! Although all these Book Tours, and promoting the books I have already written, makes writing time very scarce. Once you have several books published, the rush is on to sell, sell, sell!!
If you weren't an author, what would you be?
I would be a master gardener with my own nursery. We have an acre of landscaped gardens, and I often regret that these days I don't have the energy or time to work on both.
Tell us about Rattlesnake Jam.
I wrote Rattlesnake Jam for boys and reluctant readers. My son was a reluctant reader, and I soon realized that if you want boys to really enjoy reading, you have to give them what their macho brains long for. Cut the frills, girly stuff, and the cute descriptions, and bring on the fat frogs, wild relatives, and use powerful words that paint vivid pictures in their heads. With boys, action and the YUCK factor rules!
Most Moms are nervous nellies about snakes. However, once they see how Gran, Pa, and that pot of rattlesnake jam captures their reluctant reader's imagination , they order up. Hey! Gran does promise her jam cures everything from gout to wheeze. It's not a big stretch to add
"reluctant readers" to the list of cures - now is it?
How do you handle your muse when she refuses to help you?
My Muse knows her place, mate, fairdinkum!! When I call, she comes. Well. . . most of the time.
Lack of ideas is not my problem - it's lack of TIME that often has me beat.
What would you say to those people who think picture books are easy to write?
I'd tell them that picture book writing is like being a great parent: It looks easy until you try doing it yourself. Throw a few words together on three or four pages, get a friend to draw cute pictures, and send it off to a publisher - all done over one weekend - right? Like good parenting, it's what you DON"T know about it that will ruin your chances of success.
Leave us with some words of wisdom....
You've got to be kidding, mate. Wisdom is a rare commodity. And I suspect that age is not the only necessary component. How about this: Do good. Be Good. And know your limits. And if you are lucky enough to have double-dipped on the writing gene, stick with it until your talent is well honed, and you are published.
Thanks, Margot!
Margot will be giving away a prize at the end of the tour. To be eligible, just leave a comment on her BLOG.
To win a print copy of my children's book, CRASH, just leave a comment here. I'll announce the winner on June 15th.
To see the full Bounding for Books Blog Tour schedule, click HERE.
By: Mayra Calvani,
on 6/15/2008
By: Steph,
on 3/11/2008
Oh Eve ...
I'm experimenting with ink jet prints printed as drafts so they come out rough and illustrating on top of them with markers and colored pencil. Then scanning and adjusting in photoshop using texture layers and experimenting with color treatments.
Enjoy
By: Danette Haworth,
on 3/2/2008
By: Amy C. Moreno,
on 7/22/2007
Boy, I can relate to this post. Recently, a large spider took a turn and went underneath the desk right where my legs were. The chipmunk was a bigger distraction. Chippy somehow managed to get in the house and for a week or so he'd scurry by my feet. There's nothing quite like having little legs run across a flip flopped foot. As for the copperheads, I live in CT and have never seen one, but once while walking at a W. Hartford reservoir, I passed a British woman who said, "I just saw a Cooperhead."
PLUS you have a great story to tell kids when you do school visits: an UNtypical day in the life of a writer...
We went on a hike on the Oregon coast recently on the first sunny day in a month, and spooked at least 8 garter snakes who were trying to warm up along the path. They're out there!
I love this post!
Update: Cleaned up a little (ahem) to eliminate snake hiding places. While doing so I discovered a bees' nest in the wall. Would bees attract the snake? Dunno. But enough already. Oy.