Natasha Wing's Blog, page 5

New Summer Activity Book Winner!

My publisher had a great idea to create activity books to go along with some of my Night Before books. The newest in this line is The Night Before Summer Vacation Activity Book. The release date is May 4, 2021. 

I had so much fun coming up with the activities and in this one, Amy Wummer illustrated them. Plus there are stickers and a pop-out sea shell. I'm imagining kids taking this book along on their summer trip. I'm also imaging that more people will be taking trips this summer!

Here's a peek at a few of the activities:

As a kid, I always loved playing those games of finding the things that don't belong in a scene. (In my next life I should be a continuity director for movies!) Can you find the things that are wrong in this beach scene?

Here's one of those challenges where you have to find the animal hidden in the line drawing. So fun!

If you're looking for something to occupy the kids while you're traveling, or a rainy day activity, check out my activity book. Read The Night Before Summer Vacation first and see how the two books connect. 

Have a wonderful summer!

GIVEAWAY! To celebrate the release of my new book, I'm giving away a signed copy to a random person who leaves a comment either here or on my author Facebook page. Please tell me what your favorite summer vacation spot is below in the comment area. I will randomly pick a winner on May 17, 2021 so get your comment in before then. Good luck!

UPDATE: I have a winner! Sam Sap, congratulations!

New Summer Activity Book Giveaway

My publisher had a great idea to create activity books to go along with some of my Night Before books. The newest in this line is The Night Before Summer Vacation Activity Book. The release date is May 4, 2021. 

I had so much fun coming up with the activities and in this one, Amy Wummer illustrated them. Plus there are stickers and a pop-out sea shell. I'm imagining kids taking this book along on their summer trip. I'm also imaging that more people will be taking trips this summer!

Here's a peek at a few of the activities:

As a kid, I always loved playing those games of finding the things that don't belong in a scene. (In my next life I should be a continuity director for movies!) Can you find the things that are wrong in this beach scene?

Here's one of those challenges where you have to find the animal hidden in the line drawing. So fun!

If you're looking for something to occupy the kids while you're traveling, or a rainy day activity, check out my activity book. Read The Night Before Summer Vacation first and see how the two books connect. 

Have a wonderful summer!

GIVEAWAY! To celebrate the release of my new book, I'm giving away a signed copy to a random person who leaves a comment either here or on my author Facebook page. Please tell me what your favorite summer vacation spot is below in the comment area. I will randomly pick a winner on May 17, 2021 so get your comment in before then. Good luck!

Make a Leprechaun Trap

With St. Patrick's Day on the way, it's time to make leprechaun traps. For as the legend in The Night Before St. Patrick's Day says,

"For if they caught one-

so the legend told -

they'd find where he buried

his big pot of gold."

Leprechauns love shiny things like charms and rings. Gold chocolate coins, too! So don't forget to put something shiny in your trap to lure the leprechaun. 

Here are some ideas of what to use to make your leprechaun trap:

For more leprechaun trap ideas, see this double-page spread in The Night Before St. Patrick's Day or on my Pinterest "Leprechaun Traps" page. 

 

 

 

Female & Funny

Thinking of writing funny stories for kids? Here are great tips from female children's writers and illustrators on where they get their inspirations for their funny books, from their fathers to kids cartoons.  Here's the link. 

One of the featured author/illustators is Julie Rowan-Zoch who happens to be a friend and the regional advisor for the SCBWI group that meets in Fort Collins, CO. I'm a Hare, So There! is her debut picture book that she both wrote and illustrated. It's a play on mis-dentity. Check it out when it's released March 16.

I'm a pun girl myself. I love play on words and twisting meanings which is what I did in Bagel in Love. The puns in this book are based on baked goods, which then led to writing a joke book about food called Lettuce Laugh. And boy, could we use a laugh these days!

For more funny books by Natasha Wing visit natashawing.com.

Year of the Ox

The Year of the Ox begins February 12. As someone born in the Year of the Rat, this is supposed to be a good year, so I'm looking forward to many good career opportunities. Next year I'll have a new Night Before about this holiday called The Night Before the Lunar New Year, illustrated by Amy Wummer. I can't wait to see the illustrations!

Until then, here's an excellent source for how different countries celebrate this holiday, great crafts complete with templates, and virtual events so you can still view celebratory traditions. This article is from Macaroni Kid/CertifiKID. Please check them out and sign up for their newsletter. It comes with loads of articles filled with tips for families.

If you like this post, please share with families and teachers. 

Groundhog Day Book

Students learn about the seasons and make predictions before Groundhog Day. A family joins the town in welcoming the emergence of the groundhog. Will the groundhog predict more winter or an early spring? 

I wrote this story out of request from teachers for a Groundhog Day book to assist in teaching the seasons, weather and prediction. I also went on line and found adorable crafts that kids can make and incorporated some into the text. 

If ever a book needed to be paired with a plush animal, this is it!

The Night Before Groundhog Day Amazon link.

Fun fact: The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club has been in operation since 1886. Here's their website and shop.

Valentine's Day Craft Ideas

Valentine's Day is about love and sharing. So here are some activities I would love to share!

This is from a wonderful blogger, Angela Henderson, who writes Kidsbooks Friends. Go to her post and check out the oodles of fun stuff your kids and students can do to celebrate Valentine's Day.

Within the pages of  The Night Before Valentine's Day you can find inspiration for heart-shaped animals to color in your cards. Do you see the owl and frog made with hearts below?

Psst. The art teacher in my book is the illustrator, Heidi Petach's, rendition of herself!

Another fun game to play with the book is to count the number of hearts on the pages. 

Feel free to share this post with your teacher friends. 

Have a Happy Valentine's Day!

 

Wedding Bells Are Ringing for New Book

The latest book in my series will be released January 12. The Night Before the Wedding is about a flower girl who loses her flower-girl basket so the bride offers an alternative pedal holder. Amy Wummer does a wonderful job capturing everyone getting ready for the ceremony, and showing diversity in the two joining families. 

January 16 is my husband and my 33rd anniversary so this is a fitting way to celebrate. 

This was the '80s so the style was poofy! I got the first dress I tried on and made the headpiece myself. The bridesmaids wore teal. Is that still a color? 

To celebrate both occasions, I am giving away two copies of The Night Before the Wedding here and on my social media. Just leave a comment below or on my Facebook author page by midnight January 16, 2021 and I will randomly choose a winner. 

Please share this post and share the love. 

 

Free Reading of my Christmas Story

This Christmas story couldn't be more appropriate for 2020! I mean, what else could go wrong this year? Well, I recorded a reading of The Night Before the Night Before Christmas and made a few flubs. But I decided since it's 2020 that I will leave them in. I'm human afterall! 

Enoy this Christmas Eve chaos where mom has the flu, cookies are burnt, lights don't light up and on and on. But through it all, this family finds the love and meaning of Christmas (much like we are trying to do this year). This is my tribute to the original Night Before Christmas, the story that inspired my series. 

Have a better 2021, my friends!

 

New Facebook Author Page

I did something stupid on my old Facebook page that accidentally removed me from my page role as Admin. So now my author page is floating around in cyberspace without anyone able to get back on board again and make it active. So, I had to start a new author page and try to rebuild my audience. 

If you're interested in staying up to date on new releases, communicating with me about virtual visits and such, finding out writing and teaching tips, or sharing your experiences with my books, please follow me at this new author page.