Colleen Paeff's Blog, page 2
August 25, 2021
April 24, 2021
Independent Bookstore Day Gift Card Giveaway!
It’s Independent Bookstore Day and and I’m celebrating by giving away a $25 gift card to one winner’s favorite bookstore.
Here’s how it works:
Retweet this tweet and tag the independent bookstore where you plan to buy THE GREAT STINK.
That’s it! You’re in.
Not sure which indie bookshop to order from? Find one on Indie Bound.
Already ordered the book? No problem! Just tag the independent bookstore where you placed the order.
I’ll announce the winner on Monday, April 26, 2021.
Independent bookstores in the USA only. Giveaway ends at 11:59 PDT on April 24, 2021. No purchase necessary.
Thanks for supporting our independent booksellers–and me!
The post Independent Bookstore Day Gift Card Giveaway! appeared first on Colleen Paeff, Author of Books for Children.
April 12, 2021
Fay B. Kaigler Children’s Book Festival Handouts
The 2021 Virtual Fay B. Kaigler Children’s Book Festival is happening this week, April 12-16, 2021. If you watched either of my sessions and are looking for additional information on breaking into publishing after age 50 or STEAM-ing up kidlit, you’ve come to the right place!
PANEL DESCRIPTIONS
Breaking into Publishing After Age 50
You don’t need to be young to write books for young children. Seven children’s book creators share their experiences breaking into publishing after 50, offering tips to help older writers stay current, create community, and draw (literally) on life experiences while avoiding the “teaching” book trap. Other topics will include the importance of NOT acting your age, how to access your authentic childlike voice, why representation matters, and the joys of funneling both lifelong passions and passing fancies onto the page. Attendees, regardless of age, will gain the tools and inspiration needed to put their publishing dreams into action.
Featuring: Valerie Bolling, Kelly Carey, Wendy Greenley, Vivian Kirkfield, Tootie Nienow, Colleen Paeff, and Molly Ruttan.
Download: “Breaking into Publishing After Age 50” handout
STEAM-ing Up KidLit
How can schools and libraries use picture books to model and facilitate hands-on learning in science and engineering? Eight authors of STEAM books for elementary schoolers will discuss how their books can serve as a launching point for activities, exploration, and engagement, both in schools, public libraries, and homes. This panel will include practical resources and activity ideas for use in all three spaces. A list of similar book titles will be provided for collection development.
Featuring: Vicky Fang, Carrie Finison, Rajani LaRocca, Kirsten W. Larson, Jen Malia, Lindsay H. Metcalf, Colleen Paeff, and Candy Wellins.
Download: “STEAM-ing Up KidLit” handout
For instructions on using the hands-on STEAM activities that I discussed in this presentation, please see “Hands-on STEM/STEAM Activities to Pair with THE GREAT STINK.“
The post Fay B. Kaigler Children’s Book Festival Handouts appeared first on Colleen Paeff, Author of Books for Children.
Hands-on STEM/STEAM Activities to Pair with The Great Stink
MAP THE ROOM
illustration by Nancy Carpenter
As a young engineer working for the city of London, one of Joseph Bazalgette’s first jobs was to map the city’s existing sewers. For this activity, have students use tape, blocks, toilet paper rolls, and other materials to create a map of the classroom or another room they know well. (Challenge older students by asking them to create a hand-drawn map of the classroom using a scale ruler.)
Discussion questions:
Why was it important for Joseph to map the existing sewers before designing a plan for new sewers?
Our maps show the classroom as a bird might see it from the sky. How is this different from what a groundhog might see as she tunneled beneath us?
What do you think a groundhog would see beneath your school (or home) bathroom?
MEET IN THE MIDDLE
illustration by Nancy Carpenter
Joseph had to tunnels beneath buildings in order to add new sewer pipes. If you and a friend were going to dig a tunnel beneath the classroom, starting on opposite sides, how could your map help you to be sure your tunnels would meet in the middle?
TRY IT!
Put a blanket or a sheet over a large piece of furniture–a desk in the classroom or a dining room table at home is perfect.
Ask students to find a friend to “dig” with them. If they’re on the floor, on opposite sides of the table, and they can’t see one another, what can they do to make sure they’ll meet exactly in the middle? Have students test their theories! Did it work? If not, try again.
Kids can try this activity on the playground, too, using a large cardboard box or a sheet held up by two volunteers to provide the “buildings.”
This project easily adapts to school-at-home.
Each student will choose a clear glass or jar, and fill it with organic matter: food, spices, plants, soil, condiments–it’s all fair game (as long as it doesn’t belong in a toilet!).
Students should top the container up with water, then take some field notes:
date and timelocation of jarweather (Hot, humid, cold, etc.)measure the water leveldescribe what they seedescribe what they smellPut the container in a sunny spot (outside if possible) and every 24 hours, observe any changes. Each day, take the same notes listed above. Do they smells get more or less pungent as the water evaporates?
Download the FREE ACTIVITY SHEET here: Smelly Potion Field Notes
A MAGNIFIED DROP OF MONSTER-FULL WATER
In 1850, eight years before the Great Stink, Punch magazine published a cartoon that imagined a magnified drop of water from the Thames–it was full of tiny monsters. In this activity, students create their own microscopic monsters.
Download the FREE ACTIVITY SHEET here: A Monster-full Drop of Thames Water
Afterwards, you might show students an actual microscopic image of Vibrio cholerae, the bacteria that causes cholera.
You might also like:
Water Pollution Observation Science Experiment
Ocean Pollution for Kids: A Hands-on Activity
The Groundwater Foundation has a searchable database of activities and curriculum guides for all grade levels.
A Unit to Learn About Water Scarcity from Pragmatic Mom
Be sure to let me know how the activities go! And if you have suggestions for additional activities to pair with THE GREAT STINK: HOW JOSEPH BAZALGETTE SOLVED LONDON’S POOP POLLUTION PROBLEM (illustrated by Nancy Carpenter), please share your ideas in the comments.
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