Wanda Luthman's Blog, page 15
May 11, 2020
Bad Caterpillar, A Children’s Book
Hi everyone,
Thank you for stopping by my blog today. I have a wonderful book and author to share with you today, Suvi Chisholm and the Bad Caterpillar. Suvi, please share with us what your book is about….
“Bad Caterpillar is an instant classic with beautiful illustrations and a meaningful lesson.”
“Humph, get out of my way!” Who said that? Bad Caterpillar of course. He’s grumpy and rude to all the animals in the garden he shares. Young readers will love this story about a little caterpillar who makes a big change.
I love to read and write stories that help teach a lesson or moral. There can be a lot of power in just a few words. Even the shortest children’s books have the power to teach us many lessons about family, love, and overcoming difficult situations.
[image error]
Bad Caterpillar shows us that even if we feel stuck in our grumpy ways, we have the power to decide to change, be kind and be good. Parents and teachers can use this book as a conversation starter and teaching tool for emotional growth learning.
Bad Caterpillar is available in paperback or ebook on Amazon.
I made some free printable activity pages inspired by the book. Just a little something that will keep kids engaged and learning long after the last page of the book has closed. Download your Bad Caterpillar Activity Pages here.
Your readers are invited to “like” the Suvi’s Reading Corner Facebook page. It’s where I love to post fun stuff about children’s literature, highlight other authors and illustrators, and share with the community our love of storytelling.
Thank you,
Suvi Chisholm.
[image error]
Thank you, Suvi, for sharing your wonderful book with an important lesson for everyone.
We probably have all felt grumpy during this pandemic quarantine. It is hard to stay in one place for a long time and with the same people, even though we love them very much. I think this book is very timely!
Thank you, my blog readers, for stopping by today. Please consider leaving a comment for Suvi and as always likes and shares are much appreciated.
April 27, 2020
Buddy the Beagle on Blueberry Street
Hi everyone,
I’d like to introduce you to a special author. I met her in person at a book event last fall and loved the title of her book…who doesn’t love beagles and blueberries!
I offered to let her share her book on my blog and so here she is…take it away, Debbie!
Thank you, Wanda for the opportunity to connect with your audience. My first children’s book, Buddy the Beagle on Blueberry Street, entertains and inspires both kids and adults. Available for Kindle and in paperback, the book was released by Elk Lake Publishing in March of 2019. Elementary media specialists are purchasing copies for their school libraries and teachers enjoy reading the story aloud to their students. Buddy the Beagle on Blueberry Street is a fiction chapter book for ages six to nine, and includes questions for classroom discussion.
The story begins when an older couple, Henry and Jen, visit a rescue facility and adopt a young beagle. The little dog encounters problems when he arrives at his new home on Blueberry Street. First, Henry changes his new pet’s name to Buddy. Then he employs a no-nonsense dog trainer to teach Buddy the rules of the house. If that wasn’t enough, the little beagle is bullied by a huge Doberman at the neighborhood park. One day Buddy’s curiosity results in a tragic accident that leaves him partially paralyzed. Buddy’s condition requires surgery and long-term physical therapy. Henry and Jen go the extra mile to help their little beagle walk again. Buddy’s determination encourages readers to never give up when trying to overcome a challenge.
[image error]
The inspiration for the book came from my own experiences with my pet beagle, who suffers from degenerative disk disease. A sequel, Return to Blueberry Street, is scheduled for release by Elk Lake this August. In this book Buddy leads his canine companions on a mission to track down a bandit suspected of stealing all of the dog treats on Blueberry Street.
My Personal Story
My journey as a writer began with the daily routine of keeping a prayer journal. Over the years, my journal became a spiritual retreat from the stressful responsibilities of teaching elementary school. After retiring, I embarked on a quest of self-discovery. A book, The Creative Call, by Janice Elsheimer encouraged me to seek God to discover my gifts. I felt a calling to write poetry. Within a few months, I joined Word Weavers International and began attending critique groups. Eventually, several of my poems were published in Time of Singing, a Journal of Christian Poetry. I share my poetry on my website where I also blog about my three passions: camping, travel, and dogs.
In 2018 I attended the Florida Christian Writers Conference where I met Deb Haggerty, editor of Elk Lake Publishing. Deb introduced me to Michelle Lazurek, an agent with WordWise Media Services. These two special people helped make the publication of Buddy the Beagle on Blueberry Street a reality. Artist, Jenny Laskowski illustrated the cover of the book. Her artwork encourages children to discover the answer to an important question: “Why is that dog wearing those red shoes?”
As an author, I enjoy visiting elementary schools to speak to students about the importance of literacy. During my interactions with teachers and students, I stay in touch with the many challenges facing the youth of today. In my books, I want to develop relatable characters which engage children and encourage empathy for others.
Links
Readers can purchase Buddy the Beagle on Blueberry Street at the following websites:
Connect with me through the following links:
Website https://debbieburton.blog/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/buddyfanclub/
Twitter https://twitter.com/debbie_j_burton
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/debbieburtonlife/
Email debbieburton@ymail.com
April 13, 2020
Grief is Like a Knot in a Tree
Hi everyone,
I haven’t written in awhile and I thought maybe I’d share some thoughts on grief since that is the season I’m in right now.
But, before we dive in, I just want to say that I hope everyone had a very special Easter (for those of you that celebrate it).
I discovered this year, that I celebrated it or really rather commemorated it more than I ever have before.
I haven’t been to a communion service on Maundy Thursday and taken communion as if we were in that very room with Jesus, but I did this year (virtually) with my former Pastor who had a lovely service in his backyard, just he and his family practicing social distancing.
I felt the magnitude of every word, every action that Jesus took that night like never before.
And on Friday, I attended two services online (again my former Pastor at his home) and the church I attend regularly online). Both were meaningful and moving.
I spent some time Saturday actually contemplating how Jesus’ disciples felt knowing their teacher/rabbi/friend was dead. I could empathize since I am in a season of grief myself.
And Sunday, glorious Sunday! I got up early, like I have done for the past 25 years, to celebrate Easter Sunrise Service, but this time, I was alone, sitting on the bank of the lake in my backyard which faces east.
I had a quite time with God and enjoyed the beautiful sky-show unfolding before me.
[image error]Easter Sunrise 2020
And then, again, I attended 3 online services and watched Andrea Boccelli belt out Amazing Grace from Italy–THAT was a moving performance.
Okay, onward to my thoughts on grief and the grief process.
One day, while I was sitting in my backyard and looking at this tree (the one pictured at the very beginning of this post), I saw the sun shining through it and it nearly took my breath away.
That tree has been in my yard since I moved in 25 years ago. It was smaller then, but still good size.
It has taken a beating with many limbs falling off of it due to hurricanes or strong wind storms or from my husband taking off the low ones because we were bumping our heads on them.
The tree caught my attention like never before and I found my eyes being drawn to the knots on it. I contemplated them. I had heard it said that knots never get any higher on the tree. Where the limb comes off, is where the knot stays.
[image error]
Trees apparently don’t grow up in the way one might think. They grow from the tops or the ends of branches. The trunk itself doesn’t continue to move up as it grows.
So, when there is damage to the tree like a branch being removed, the tree heals around it.
Then, it struck me, that’s how grief feels.
You weather a storm and some damage has occured. You have lost something; something of value.
But, that wound doesn’t go with you into your new growth. It stays behind, right where it happened.
You heal around it and it leaves a knot. Something quite visible to yourself and others.
But, you still grow.
In fact, you are stronger there than before because have you ever tried to saw through a knot on a tree? Yes, it’s hard.
I don’t know what’s happening inside the tree. I can’t see what it’s doing in there, but my guess is, there’s healing going on in there as well. Maybe a new pathway around where the wound was to bring sap up to the higher branches.
That’s how grief feels. You’re creating new pathways, new ways to navigate life on the inside where no one sees.
[image error]
Life will never be the same for that tree where that limb was–no birds will nest in it there; no squirrels will scamper across it; no leaves will sprout and die and fall off.
No, it’s a different tree now. It has sustained loss.
But, it’s still a tree. It still has opportunity for good things to happen in the other branches. It still has life, a life that needs to be and will most definitely be lived.
But, the scar, the memory will always remain.
And that is how grief is like a knot in a tree.
Thank you for reading my blog today and every day and sharing it with others. I truly enjoy this blogging community. So many wonderful people all over the world. It’s great we get to connect here. It almost feels like a secret society because when I talk about blogging with my friends and family, they just look at me like they don’t understand. LOL
Have a wonderful day! I love you!
April 6, 2020
What is Up In Space? A Children’s Book by David Bullock
Hi everyone,
I’m super excited to share with you a brand new children’s book called What is Up In Space? by David Bullock.
I live on the Space Coast of Florida and can walk out my backdoor whenever I hear a launch and see the rocket blasting off into space. It is thrilling and never gets old! I love space! So, that’s why I’m excited to share with you this book about space for children today.
Take it away, David…
N E W Y O R K (3/17/2020) — Fourteen year veteran space writer David Bullock created a children’s books on space and space exploration at the end of last year. The children’s book has a broad look at what can be found in outer space. Called What is Up In Space?, the book can be found on most online retailers sites in print and also in electronic form on the Nook. Bullock has also published a non-fiction book called 2008-2018: A NewSpace Primer.
Now an Analyst at the business intelligence company NewSpace Global, Bullock previously founded the first digital edition on space and space exploration, Space Lifestyle Magazine. These two books are his first.
Bullock originally learned how to write children’s books from New York children’s book author Shirley Graves. Her books are available in print at most online retailers. He said, “Graves gave me the background and experience to write children’s books. She taught me how to use vocabulary and a storyline sensitive to children’s needs. Many people have expressed appreciation of our books and Graves is a children’s book award winner. I hope many children enjoy the story of space.”
[image error]
Excited about entering the children’s book field, Bullock hopes both parents and children will enjoy his story about space and what is out there as well. The book is an excellent introduction to the topic of space and it also encourages readers to do searches on the Internet for concepts and terms that the book brings up. Bullock keeps the book simple for young readers, yet allows room to grow in the digital age.
Rinaldo Florendo, an illustrator from the Philippines, created the images for the book. Florendo is an experienced illustrator and has worked creating images for kid’s books many times before working with Bullock. Bullock was introduced to Florendo’s work while he was working as an assistant for Graves. She hired Florendo to create the images for her book, My Wonderful Friends. Both Bullock and Graves were pleased with Florendo’s work and Bullock decided to work with him for his first children’s book.
The book can be found at Amazon on the following link: https://www.amazon.com/What-Up-Space-David-Bullock/dp/0578537273/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=david+m+bullock&qid=1583612550&sr=8-2
The book can be found at Goodreads with the following link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48082357-what-is-up-in-space?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=Cpe9SHi7aJ&rank=1
###
For inquires, please contact Bullock at:
Children’s Book on Space Released Electronically on Nook and Available in Print at Book Sellers
Thank you, David, for being with us today and sharing about your first children’s book. Congratulations on your accomplishment! I look forward to seeing more great things out of you in the future.
And thank you, my blogging family, for stopping in today. Comments, likes, and shares are always appreciated.
March 30, 2020
Moods, Emotions, and Social Distancing (How to Connect without Connecting)
Moods, Emotions, and Social Distancing
by
Dr. Valerie Allen
It’s difficult to manage your moods and emotions while adhering to social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Coping with any unusual situation tends to increase stress which leads to anxiety and, in some cases, depressive symptoms.
Families are out of their routines and typical social interactions. Additionally, in this situation, the external world looks the way it always has and this creates a disconnect between what we see, hear, and experience. Most disasters create a strong visual sense of things gone wrong. Our feeling of worry and distress are validated by the obvious destruction— floods, winds, fires, injuries and damaged property—but not so with a virus. Those stricken with the virus are in care or quarantined—hidden from view.
Still, cognitively and emotionally, we are aware of the danger we all face. We listen to reports and see videos of overworked hospital workers and first responders. We hear the names and details of those stricken with this virus. Children are especially unprepared for this level of change in their daily routines. Here is some information to consider during this time of social isolation.
You Should Know
The coronavirus pandemic has undoubtedly caused major disruptions in your life. If you normally relieve stress by going to the gym, shopping at the mall, or getting together with friends, you might feel isolated and lonely while adhering to social distancing.
Without access to your usual coping tools, it might be more difficult to manage stress and control your mood while experiencing high levels of distress. Social distancing is counter intuitive to your basic need for connection with other people. This connection not only soothes your nervous system, but also strengthens your body’s defenses to stress.
The forced separation due to the COVID-19 pandemic might increase your distress and anxiety as you become more focused on yourself and perceived ‘threats’ around you. Here are suggestions to track your moods and cope with them in positive ways during social distancing. You may need to contact your therapist or physician if your distress is interfering with daily functioning.
What to Do
There are number of things you can do to cope with stress and manage your moods and emotions in healthy ways – while observing social distancing. It will be helpful to organize your day into time blocks of work, virtual/electronic social connecting, and fun or relaxtion activities.
Reach Out
Connect with friends and family by phone, email, or text.Share your concerns and feelings with people you trust.Use Face Time to have a video chat with a group of friends or family.Play board games with your children.Play with your pet..Commit to at least one phone call, email, or text per day.
Physical Activity
Many gyms are offering free virtual fitness coaching and exercise videos.Stream a fitness video on YouTube.Go for a walk, a jog, or a bike ride.Lift hand weights or soup cans.Practice deep breathing or meditation, using an app or online video.
Express Your Creativity
Journal, write poetry, your memoir, or the Great American Novel.Express yourself through arts or crafts.Cook a healthy meal or a special treat.Take an online class or watch an instructional video.Learn a new language.Attend free online virtual museum tours, live streams of concerts (including the Metropolitan Opera), and other entertainment venues.Catch up on all those magazines and books you’ve been waiting to read.
Do a Project
Start a project.Complete something you’ve been putting off.Reorganize the basement, attic, garage, or storage area.Paint a room, clean out the closets, rearrange the kitchen cabinets, wash the curtains, clean the windows.Finish a do-it-yourself home repair project.
Observe Your Spirituality
Attend services at houses of worship via television, streaming services, and online videos.View free classes on mindfulness and meditation through Kripalu, Shambhala Mountain Center, and other retreat centers’ websites.Practice Yoga.
Adapted from Between Sessions Resources
~ ~ ~
Dr. Valerie Allen is a child psychologist in private practice. She has published two children’s chapter books, ‘Summer School for Smarties‘ and ‘Bad Hair, Good Hat, New Friends‘ and a picture book for beginning readers, ‘The Sun and The Moon.’ Her books can be found at Amazon.com/author/valerieallen. Oh yes, she has also raised six children!
March 23, 2020
An Interview by child author, Tejas Mathai, of a Poet
Hi everyone,
Today, I’m bringing you something a bit different. One of my favorite child authors, Tejas Mathai, who is working on a wonderful series, has branched out to interview a poet. Below is his interview. While not children’s poetry, I believe her message of helping others is definitely one we need to hear about in today’s world, so take it away, Tejas!
Authors in Conversation
By Tejas Mathai
[image error]His books are available on Amazon
Hi, this is Tejas. I am a fourteen-year-old freshman living in Modesto, California. I am an author of two published sci-fi novels, Infinity: The Secret of the Diamonds and Infinity: The Rise of the Mandroids. I have been writing stories ever since I was six years old.
Since my last article for Wanda Luthman’s magazine, I have made much progress on my writings. After the completion of my second book, I immediately began to work on my third book in the series. And in January of this year, I completed the first draft for my third book. Outside of my writing, I also earned my Red 1 belt for karate in February.
I am very excited to feature my conversation with Dr. Nivedita Lakhera, who I met in San Jose, California. Dr. Lakhera, or Niv, as she prefers to be called, works as a physician at O’Connor Hospital in San Jose. She is considered to be a leader in contemporary poetry and an advocate for gender equality and human rights. She is an award-winning author of two poetry and art books. Her first book, Pillow of Dreams,is an award-winning and best reviewed poetry book on Amazon for three consecutive years. Her second book, I am Not a Princess, I am a Complete Fairytale, has been included in the syllabus of Peace and Justice at Michigan State and Wayne State Universities.
[image error]Her books are available on Amazon
__________________________________________________________________
Tejas: Hey everybody, today I will be interviewing Dr. Niv Lakhera. She is a poet and an author of two best-selling poetry books on Amazon, and I will be asking her a couple of questions, so would you like to tell us more about yourself?
Niv: Hi everybody, I’m Niv, and I’m with the amazing science writer, who has written two books already. How old are you?
Tejas: Fourteen
Niv: By the time he’s fourteen, he has written two books, I mean…yeah, but he is interviewing me. So yes, I have written two books. I’m a full-time physician, full-time writer, full-time foodie, full-time fashionista, full-time friend, full-time…sleep-lover, what not.
Tejas: So, my first question for you is “what inspired you to write?”
[image error]
Niv: So, I cannot not write. I think we all are here for a purpose. We are designed to do certain things in this lifetime, and when we do those things, it makes us very transcendental and it’s a different kind of high. I call it, “making your peace with the soul of the universe”. So, I don’t say that writing makes me happy. It’s the other way around. If I don’t write, I’ll be very restless, and I won’t be happy. So, I’ve been writing since I was a child. I started writing because I read literature very early on because we didn’t have comics for some reason; my parents looked down at them, so our house was full of these big, big books that my uncle used to bring; he was studying his bachelor of arts, and my dad was a scientist, so there were a lot of journals. So what I grew up reading was science journals and beautiful literary works, like a lot of Russian literature. So I started writing very early on, and then it stopped when I went to med school. So I’ve been writing since before I was born, I think. (laughs)
Tejas: So when I read your books, I saw that you did a lot of artwork. And I think that their mostly abstract works.
Niv: Yeah. It’s really easy. You just put a broom in the picture and then people are like, “Oh, she’s trying to talk about the cleansing of the soul”. No, it’s a broom. (laughs). Abstract is really easy. I think artists have an open interpretation, unlike science fiction, right?
[image error]
Tejas: Yeah
Niv: And so is poetry. I think people find art and poetry very safe spaces to be whatever they want and find a comfort of, like, someone else knowing them. So I think that’s why. Every artwork that I’ve created, I’ve had my own meaning behind it, like what I wanted to convey, but again, it’s open to readers and people looking at the artwork how they want to interpret it, and I think that freedom is very intoxicating, comforting, and at times, therapeutic.
Tejas: So when I was looking through both of your books, I saw that the first one was sort of based around your story and the second one was about people in general and about human rights.
Niv: I think the first poetry book I wrote was definitely after an event in my life. I was recovering from my heartbreak, and I had so much inside of me that was “breaking the dam”. So that was what happened. So the first book was born out of this intense necessity of what I was experiencing, and also not just my personal experiences, but the experiences of others. And people would contact me and share their stories after they read my first book or if they had heard about me. So, yeah, my first book was about my words and my life, and the second book was shining the light on other people’s stories and making them the heroes of their journeys.
[image error]Available on Amazon
Tejas: So for your third book, how did you come up with the title the lifecurrency?
Niv: You know, most of the things I have written is based off of something I told someone. So what I think happened was that I was in my apartment sitting with some friends. One of my friends brought their mother, who was going through some tough times, and I began to talk to her and comfort her. And I said, “You need to know where you’re going to spend your life currency”. And that was how I came up with that title. And that phrase really spoke to her. There are millions of words and phrases around the world, but only a few can click in one’s head. I think that that phrase really connected with my friends. So, the book is about your life currency, about where to spend it, when to spend it, and who to spend it on.
Tejas: What is your main message throughout all of your poems and books?
Niv: I think that if I die tomorrow, I want to have some satisfaction that I did something to make a difference. I want to pursue my purpose and my passion to help others in life. I think somewhere a word can help change someone’s life forever. So that is what my message is, to fulfill your purpose on this Earth and to help your fellow humans. And even the simplest things like poetry can help make a difference.
[image error]
Tejas: So that is all the questions I have for today, so thank you for your time.
Niv: Thank you Tejas!
You can visit Niv Lakhera at Niveditalakhera.com and follow her on social media. Please follow me on social media and visit tejasmathai.com to support my cause and charity.
Thank you so much Tejas and Niv for joining my blog today and sharing your artwork and poetry!
Thank you, everyone, for reading my blog today. As always comments, likes, and shares are encouraged!
Have a blessed day everyone! And stay safe!
March 9, 2020
Let’s Get Physical: Fun and Fitness With Kids
Let’s Get Physical: Fun and Fitness
by
Dr. Valerie Allen
Back in the day, kids ran home from school, grabbed their bikes, and hit the street looking to play with other kids. The excitement of skipping a stone across a puddle, watching a worm inch its way across the sidewalk, and chasing butterflies were part of the big adventures of childhood. Today, it’s hard to find children playing or walking outside. Various factors are involved in this, including safety concerns, planned school, church, and community activities, electronic devices, and time constraints of working parents, to name a few. The importance of physical activity and communing with nature cannot be understated. Here is how some of these activities can be reclaimed in this new age.
Fine motor skills develop eye-hand coordination and is used in tasks such as handwriting, working with hand tools, art, and threading a needle.
Outdoor activities to enhance these skills include: ball games, Frisbee toss, golf, and tennis.Indoor activities include jigsaw puzzles, dot-to-dot, mazes, shuffling and dealing cards, checkers, chess, drawing, painting, jacks, pick-up-sticks, ping-pong, sewing cards, knitting, and arts and craft activities.Chores can include help preparing meals by mixing ingredients and cracking eggs. Children can fold the laundry, wash dishes and pots and pans, set the table, clean pet areas, dust furniture, and water the lawn or garden.
Gross motor skills include the use of large muscles which improve balance and build strength.
Outdoor activities include, swimming, running, walking, bike riding, skating, jump rope, hopping, skipping, hop-scotch, follow the leader, Pogo sticks, Hula-hoops, skate boards, and scooters.Indoor activities include using the stairs, stretching, toe touching, marching in place, and bending from the waist. Chores also can be incorporated such as washing the car or house windows, sweeping the sidewalk, pulling weeds, and walking and washing the dog, washing the floor, collecting and taking out the trash.
The wonders of nature include an awareness of the beauty and serenity in the natural world. It is important for children to understand the cycle of life in its many forms and the symbiotic relationship of man and the environment.
Outside activities include a quiet stroll observing natural things in the environment as opposed to man-make objects. Identifying plants and animals. Watching the habits of birds and small game and listening to their vocalizations. Seeing the color, shape, and height of grasses and flowers. Noticing the different smells in various areas. Feeling the change in temperature while in the sun and in shade, and with the change of time.Inside activities can include planting a windowsill garden, having a fish tank, having and caring for a pet. Chores can include planting, weeding, watering, and mowing grassy areas. Tending to lawns and gardens with fertilizer and insecticides. Safeguarding animals with shelter, building a bird house, and providing food and water.
There are many simple ways of encouraging your child to be fit and have fun whether inside, outside, or with daily chores!
~ ~ ~
Dr. Valerie Allen is a child psychologist in private practice. She has published two children’s chapter books, “Summer School for Smarties” and “Bad Hair, Good Hat, New Friends” and a picture book for beginning readers, “The Sun and The Moon.” Oh yes, she has also raised six children!
Let's Get Physical: Fun and Fitness With Kids
Let’s Get Physical: Fun and Fitness
by
Dr. Valerie Allen
Back in the day, kids ran home from school, grabbed their bikes, and hit the street looking to play with other kids. The excitement of skipping a stone across a puddle, watching a worm inch its way across the sidewalk, and chasing butterflies were part of the big adventures of childhood. Today, it’s hard to find children playing or walking outside. Various factors are involved in this, including safety concerns, planned school, church, and community activities, electronic devices, and time constraints of working parents, to name a few. The importance of physical activity and communing with nature cannot be understated. Here is how some of these activities can be reclaimed in this new age.
Fine motor skills develop eye-hand coordination and is used in tasks such as handwriting, working with hand tools, art, and threading a needle.
Outdoor activities to enhance these skills include: ball games, Frisbee toss, golf, and tennis.Indoor activities include jigsaw puzzles, dot-to-dot, mazes, shuffling and dealing cards, checkers, chess, drawing, painting, jacks, pick-up-sticks, ping-pong, sewing cards, knitting, and arts and craft activities.Chores can include help preparing meals by mixing ingredients and cracking eggs. Children can fold the laundry, wash dishes and pots and pans, set the table, clean pet areas, dust furniture, and water the lawn or garden.
Gross motor skills include the use of large muscles which improve balance and build strength.
Outdoor activities include, swimming, running, walking, bike riding, skating, jump rope, hopping, skipping, hop-scotch, follow the leader, Pogo sticks, Hula-hoops, skate boards, and scooters.Indoor activities include using the stairs, stretching, toe touching, marching in place, and bending from the waist. Chores also can be incorporated such as washing the car or house windows, sweeping the sidewalk, pulling weeds, and walking and washing the dog, washing the floor, collecting and taking out the trash.
The wonders of nature include an awareness of the beauty and serenity in the natural world. It is important for children to understand the cycle of life in its many forms and the symbiotic relationship of man and the environment.
Outside activities include a quiet stroll observing natural things in the environment as opposed to man-make objects. Identifying plants and animals. Watching the habits of birds and small game and listening to their vocalizations. Seeing the color, shape, and height of grasses and flowers. Noticing the different smells in various areas. Feeling the change in temperature while in the sun and in shade, and with the change of time.Inside activities can include planting a windowsill garden, having a fish tank, having and caring for a pet. Chores can include planting, weeding, watering, and mowing grassy areas. Tending to lawns and gardens with fertilizer and insecticides. Safeguarding animals with shelter, building a bird house, and providing food and water.
There are many simple ways of encouraging your child to be fit and have fun whether inside, outside, or with daily chores!
~ ~ ~
Dr. Valerie Allen is a child psychologist in private practice. She has published two children’s chapter books, “Summer School for Smarties” and “Bad Hair, Good Hat, New Friends” and a picture book for beginning readers, “The Sun and The Moon.” Oh yes, she has also raised six children!
March 2, 2020
Matchbox Dreams, A Children’s Book
Hi, everyone!
I came across an exceptionally cute book that I thought you all would like to hear about. It’s written by Douglas Schwartz. Below he tells us about the importance of reading with children (I believe this is very true) and about his book…
According to Candace Kendle, co-founder of ReadAloud.org, “As a scientist, I have learned that recent research tells us that by age 3, the gap is showing up in early brain development between children whose parents read to them and those who do not. Reading shouldn’t be a silent task, it should be engaging and animated. Children learn words through interaction.”*
Inspired by The Chronicles of Narnia, Harry Potter, and The Wizard of Oz Series, Douglas created a new world called Dreamland which is inhabited by colorful, mischievous, and funny characters who contribute to adventures found amongst the pages. Unlike other children’s books, Matchbox Dreams does not have witches, dragons, monsters, nor any evil villains which may scare children and cause nightmares.
“Douglas has a wonderful gift of storytelling and will stand out wonderfully in the market! I have read many children’s books, and this one has been by far one of the best children’s books I’ve seen in ages! Matchbox Dreams is amazingly well written. It’s easy to fall in love with the main characters. They are easily relatable from a child’s point of view. The book is also very appealing as an adult/parent/caregiver, to become part of a shareable nighttime ritual to induce a relaxed, creative sleep within the youngsters they care for. I can also see older children reading this willingly. Overall this is an amazingly charming book by a wonderfully charming author! I can see the possibilities of cartoons and movies as well,” stated Jennifer, a mother of five and book reviewer.
About the Author:
Douglas graduated with a degree in Psychology and a Master’s in Mass Communication. He writes stories, inspired by the tales he used to tell his daughters during their childhood. Now, with his daughters grown up, and each with three children, he has been enlisted again to start creating stories to be read to their children.
Matchbox Dreams is available as an ebook at Kindle, Google Play and Barnes and Noble, and a printed book at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
Matchbox Dreams is specifically designed for parents to read to their children before bedtime or for young adults to read to themselves. www.matchboxdreams.com
Thank you, Douglas, for sharing your book, Matchbox Dreams, with us today.
And thank you, everyone, for stopping by my blog today. Likes and shares are always appreciated.
Matchbox Dreams, A Children's Book
Hi, everyone!
I came across an exceptionally cute book that I thought you all would like to hear about. It’s written by Douglas Schwartz. Below he tells us about the importance of reading with children (I believe this is very true) and about his book…
According to Candace Kendle, co-founder of ReadAloud.org, “As a scientist, I have learned that recent research tells us that by age 3, the gap is showing up in early brain development between children whose parents read to them and those who do not. Reading shouldn’t be a silent task, it should be engaging and animated. Children learn words through interaction.”*
Inspired by The Chronicles of Narnia, Harry Potter, and The Wizard of Oz Series, Douglas created a new world called Dreamland which is inhabited by colorful, mischievous, and funny characters who contribute to adventures found amongst the pages. Unlike other children’s books, Matchbox Dreams does not have witches, dragons, monsters, nor any evil villains which may scare children and cause nightmares.
“Douglas has a wonderful gift of storytelling and will stand out wonderfully in the market! I have read many children’s books, and this one has been by far one of the best children’s books I’ve seen in ages! Matchbox Dreams is amazingly well written. It’s easy to fall in love with the main characters. They are easily relatable from a child’s point of view. The book is also very appealing as an adult/parent/caregiver, to become part of a shareable nighttime ritual to induce a relaxed, creative sleep within the youngsters they care for. I can also see older children reading this willingly. Overall this is an amazingly charming book by a wonderfully charming author! I can see the possibilities of cartoons and movies as well,” stated Jennifer, a mother of five and book reviewer.
About the Author:
Douglas graduated with a degree in Psychology and a Master’s in Mass Communication. He writes stories, inspired by the tales he used to tell his daughters during their childhood. Now, with his daughters grown up, and each with three children, he has been enlisted again to start creating stories to be read to their children.
Matchbox Dreams is available as an ebook at Kindle, Google Play and Barnes and Noble, and a printed book at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
Matchbox Dreams is specifically designed for parents to read to their children before bedtime or for young adults to read to themselves. www.matchboxdreams.com
Thank you, Douglas, for sharing your book, Matchbox Dreams, with us today.
And thank you, everyone, for stopping by my blog today. Likes and shares are always appreciated.
