Wanda Luthman's Blog, page 41

Thanks + giving!

Picture used free from Pexels.com

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you! As we celebrate this day of giving thanks, we hear from our favorite School Psychologist, Dr. Valerie Allen in…

An Attitude with Gratitude

by

Dr. Valerie Allen

Even in difficult economic times, we live in a land of abundance. Most families exceed the basic needs of food, clothing, and shelter. Children have more than ample toys and clothes. Often, they have difficulty finding storage for the excess items in their bedrooms and play areas. In this land of plenty, it is difficult to teach children how to appreciate what they have. The joy of giving is often lost in the expectation of getting.

How do we teach children to be thankful for what they have? We need to engage them in the act of giving and doing for others. They will not only develop an appreciation for what they have, but will learn to care for their belongings, and have the satisfaction that comes from sharing and helping others.

Here are some activities you can do to develop gratitude and appreciation in your child.

1. Thoughtful Families: Set an example at home. Discuss acts of kindness by friends, coworkers, or family members. Acknowledge heroic acts, which are reported in the paper or on the news. Talk about charitable donations and organizations such as the March of Dimes, Hospice House, and Habitat for Humanity. Help children understand there are others less fortunate who are in need of financial and emotional support. Tell them about Mother Theresa and her famous words, “We cannot do great things—only small things with great love.”

2. Thankful Thursdays: In the spirit of Thanksgiving, plan a day of gratitude each week throughout the year. Children can make a list or draw a picture of all the people and things in their lives to be thankful for each week. They can keep track of what they have done for others, as well as what others have done for them. You can help them plan a random act of kindness for the following week. Soon they will develop the spirit of Thanksgiving during every season of the year.

3. Take Action: Children can visit a nursing home, draw pictures and mail them to shut ins, or help a neighbor with yard work. More formal activities can be arranged through a church or volunteer organization to help at a school, collect canned goods, or work at an animal shelter. Children can make place mats, napkin rings, or menu cards for meals-on-wheels. They can participate in community clean up days, plant a tree, or help collect litter at a park. Encourage your children to become a positive influence in the community.

4. Thank You Notes: Children should get in the habit of writing notes to express appreciation. Not just for birthday or holiday gifts, but for those who give their time or help with projects. Write letters to teachers, neighbors, firefighters, police officers, the pediatrician, the scout leader, or the choir director to recognize their time and effort. Cyber kids can send thanks via email.

5. Thrift Stores: Teach children to share. Have your youngster clean out toy boxes and clothes closets once a month. Have them remove an old item when replacing it with something newer. Have them bundle up the items and take them to a consignment or thrift shop or a domestic shelter to be shared with others.

6. Twice Around: Recycle, reuse, and repurpose. Recycling is a wonderful way to respect and preserve our environment.Children can save and sort newspapers, cans, glass jars, and plastic containers. They can also be creative by using items in unique ways. For example, the plastic bags from groceries can be reused as trash bags. The Sunday comics can be used as wrapping paper. Small plastic containers can hold pieces and parts from board games, hair accessories, or jewelry.

Money is not the essential factor in helping others. Children need to learn that giving of themselves is the most important gift they can offer. Doing for others is the best way to develop and attitude of gratitude in your youngster.

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Dr. Valerie Allen is a child psychologist, speaker, and author. She has published two books for children in grades 3 to 6 , “Summer School for Smarties” and “Bad Hair, Good Hat, New Friends.” Oh yes, she has also raised six children!

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~  Valerie Allen  ~

ValerieAllenWriter.com                                                    VAllenWriter@cs.com

The Prodigal Son

Amazing Grace

Sins of the Father

Suffer The Little Children

‘Tis Herself: Short Story Volume One

Summer School for Smarties

Bad Hair, Good Hat, New Friends

Write, Publish, Sell! 2 ed

Beyond the Inkblots: Confusion to Harmony







As always, my books are written to entertain children and subtlely teach good character, check them out on Amazon today. Give your children a holiday gift that teaches a positive lesson all year long.

School Visit at Challenger 7 Elementary

 

Challenger 7 Elementary School Sign

 

Monday, November 21st, Kimberly Badgett, a 2nd grade teacher at Challenger 7 Elementary School invited me to visit her class.

 

If you look close, you’ll see turtles on my scarf/shawl

 

 

I read my book, A Turtle’s Magical Adventure, which has earned a 5 star review on Reader’s Favorite. The kids were great! They laughed, they were afraid and then they were relieved. They were sitting on the edge of their seats throughout the story.

 

Sorry about the blurry picture but I wanted you to see the excitement of the kids

 

Nothing does an author’s heart better than reading to their audience and having them enjoy the story!

If your child hasn’t read, A Turtle’s Magical Adventure, you can order a copy from Amazon today. Your child will be delighted with the story and they’ll learn a wonderful lesson about accepting themselves and others just as they are. A great Holiday present!

Thank you, Mrs. Badgett, for having me visit your classroom. I had a wonderful time!

Meet the Author Book Fair

My table at the Meet the Author Book Fair at the Eau Gallie Art Festival in Eau Gallie, FL

What a great weekend to have a book fair! The weather was gorgeous so there were a lot of shoppers out shopping. It was the best book fair I’ve had SO far! I met so many nice people. One family even told me that they had heard about my turtle book when they were on a riverboat cruise on the St. Johns River! I’m going to have to go check that out.

And Liam, the dragon, from  The Lilac Princess, made his debut! Do you love him or what?! The kids and even grown-ups were having fun with him. He got his picture taken a lot!

Book Fairs also are a great opportunity to network with other authors. There are so many talented people out there! As it turns out, the woman at the table next to me (not shown) also had a book about dragons, so we called our area, Dragon Corner! I’m going to be featuring her in an upcoming Author Interview Post. So, stay tuned for that.

Carolyn Howard Johnson had her latest book, How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically: The ins and outs of using free reviews to build and sustain a writing career, was on Display at the Book Fair. I’m sorry I didn’t take my picture with it because The Lilac Princess is mentioned in it!! Here’s the link to Amazon to purchase it.

And Angelica Brown won my Giveaway Basket which included a signed paperback copy of A Turtle’s Magical Adventure, two fun tattoos, a sparkly purple pencil, a dinosaur pen, a pink ring, a purple beaded bracelet, a toy turtle, a toy dragon, a Dr. Seuss themed eraser, and a Lilac scented sachet (because I’m all about the lilacs!). Congratulations, Angelica!

I want to thank some very special people for putting on this event. I know events take a lot of behind-the-scenes hours and planning and these people volunteer their time to make this event happen. So, THANK YOU to Valerie Allen, Marshall Frank, and Holly Vellekoop!

I write children’s books that entertain children while also teaching them good character traits (subtlely though). As always, my books are available on Amazon.

Off The Chain Blog Talk Radio Show

Yvonne Mason in her Halloween best

Hi, Everyone!

I’m going to be on the Off the Chain Online Radio Show by Yvonne Mason this Friday, Nov. 18th at 8PM. The show has over 5,000 followers! I’m so excited!

I would love for you to listen in and have the time of your life!! We’ll be talking about books and there might even be a giveaway. Don’t miss it.

Here’s the link http://www.blogtalkradio.com/yvonnemason

.99 EBook Sale

A cute story about a little turtle who doesn’t like his shell because it makes him too slow.

A wonderful lesson to encourage self-acceptance.

A perfect holiday present for that special little someone in your life.

Available on Amazon at www.amazon.com/author/wandaluthman

Best Book Rank I’ve Seen

 

A Turtle’s Magical Adventure (Readers Favorite gave it 5 stars!) is ranked less than 1,000 on Amazon! I know it’s not #1 but it’s the best I’ve seen.

Paperback: 62 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (March 31, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 153083256X
ISBN-13: 978-1530832569
Product Dimensions: 5 x 0.1 x 8 inches
Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review:
Amazon Best Sellers Rank:#263 in Books > Children’s Books > Animals > Turtles

This is largely due to a fellow Author who took my book, a Turtle’s Magical Adventure, into her daughter’s 2nd grader classroom and shared it with the class. The teacher loved it so much, she purchased each of the students their very own copy! Thank you, Jen Winters!

If you haven’t purchased your copy yet, it’s only $6.99 in paperback (.99 ebook for a limited time; FREE on Kindle Unlimited) on Amazon

Grab a copy for your favorite child for Christmas or Hanukkah! They will love sweet Tad, the turtle, and his story of not liking his shell because it makes him too slow.

 

Election Day & Good Character

 

When we teach good character to children, we are cooperating in raising children to be good citizens not only in their local community but also good citizens of the planet. Our world is tiny, spinning in the great darkness and we need to all get along for the greater good. When we can put aside our agendas, desires, or whatever for the greater good, we can accomplish great things!

That’s not to say we shouldn’t ever have an agenda or a different desire than the whole because sometimes it’s in the difference and seeing things from a different perspective that help to change the overarching goal and perspective of an entire society. These are the checks and balances necessary to keep a community healthy and whole and growing and becoming. But, there is a way to introduce and encourage a difference of opinion and that begins with respect–a foundational character trait.

I don’t ever want to wax political, but on this Election Day, let’s remember we are all on the same team, Team Earth. We all belong. We all have great things to contribute. Let’s come together through using our best character traits and love one another.

What Is Good Character & Why Do We Need It?

 

Good Character is like a suspension bridge. The cables uphold and bind together the structure to keep it solid and dependable, just like in the picture above. The suspension bridge relies on the cables to support the weight of the cars, trucks, and pedestrians crossing over it. Good character upholds values that bind us together so we may be a solid community and have dependable interactions with each other.

But, when we use the term “good,” what exactly do we mean? A community needs to agree upon what they determine to be “good” traits in each other in order to encourage these traits and have a viable community. Most probably these traits are ones that are the most desirable ones that allow the community to survive and even thrive.

People need relationships to survive. Having an agreed upon way to interact, allows things to run smoothly in these relationships. When we interact with each other in kind, thoughtful, respectful, considerate ways, everyone gets along and then they can focus on a bigger problem or issue. Together, the community is strong and can overcome obstacles. If all their time is spent arguing, they have no time to deal with obstacles, much less, create things that improve life.

Good character, then, is the structure underpinning a community that allows it to thrive.

 

Birthday Giveaway

 

 

FREE PRESENTS EVERYONE!

It’s my birthday today and the only thing good about birthdays (at this age, anyway) are the presents (OK, it might be the cake)!

But, today only until midnight Eastern Time, US, I’m giving away free Audiobooks (while supplies last)!!

Just email me at wandalu64@gmail.com and put WANDASBDAY in the subject line, tell me which one of my three Audiobooks you’d like and I’ll send you the Coupon Code!

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you enjoy the Audiobook, don’t forget to leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads–that would be an awesome birthday present!

Why Write for Children? To Light the Fire Within!

Thank you, Joseph Drumheller, for posting my blog on your site! I hope people are encouraged to be that special someone for the child in their life today.

Joseph D Drumheller

Children’s Books, Picture Books

Welcome to my guest blog series:

Success in the Arts – Touching the  Lives of Children


This week I’m featuring children’s author, blogger and freelance writer, Wanda Luthman, a high school guidance counselor,  living in Florida.


There’s something about autumn that makes us want to run outside and leap in the air! Or maybe that’s just Floridians (maybe not). In Florida, you see, it’s very hot in the summer. How hot, you ask? So, hot that you can’t breathe. I mean, you walk outside and immediately your clothes need to be wrung out from the humidity causing you to sweat.

So, when the sweet coolness of autumn finally comes (and it does come in Florida), we want to run outside and hug the air! It’s “our” time now. You northern folks will soon be getting snow and along with that pictures of beautiful sunny (but cool days)…

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