Natasha Wing's Blog, page 7

New Election Day Book for Kids

November 3, 2020 is Election Day where we decide who our next president will be. Whether you're Republican, Democratic, Independent or Green Party, this book introduces kids to the concept of voting and why it's important for our country to have a democratic voting system, and for people to have a voice via casting a vote. This non-partisan book ends on election night so you can discuss with your kids who you hope will win. There are stickers for your future voter, too!

Here's a link to purchase. As always, thank you for your support, especially during these trying pandemic times. Book sales keep authors in business. 

And if you haven't registered to vote yet, please do. Here's a government link to guide you.

A State-by-State Guide to Voting

https://www.mymove.com/moving/guides/voter-registration-by-state/

Then don't just register. Vote so our country can build back. Better and greater!

 

WWII Children's Book Now in Spanish

V de la victoria has been a labor of love for author and publisher, Teresa Funke. I'm thrilled to announce it is officially published and ready for readers! I intereviewed Teresa to find out why she chose this story in her Home-Front Heroes Collection published by Victory House Press to translate into Spanish.

PRIZE ALERT: Leave a comment below for a chance to win a signed copy. (Contest ends midnight MST on Saturday, September 12, 2020. I will contact the winner for his or her mailing address. United States residents only.)

Author Teresa Funke

Teresa, why did you want to translate this story to Spanish?

V for Victory came out in 2009. It was the third installment in my Home-Front Heroes Collection of middle-grade books set in World War II. Each novel (for readers ages 7-13) is based on the memories of a real person, and this book was loosely based on my uncle, Roman Talamantez, and our Mexican-American family, which ran grocery stores in San Antonio during the war.

Roman Talamantez, Teresa's uncle

I quickly added V for Victory to my various giveaway programs, in which I donate books to schools and nonprofits. Not long after, the Spanish-speaking families at the schools and nonprofits started asking if I had a book in Spanish. The parents wanted to be able to read with their children. And teachers wanted books in Spanish for their students who were newly arrived from Mexico or other Spanish-speaking countries. So I’d wanted to translate one of my books for years!  In the fall of 2019, the time and resources finally came together to make that possible, so naturally I chose to translate was this one! And V de la victoria was released in August of 2020.

How is this story important to children of Mexican decent?

It has not escaped my notice over the years that very few historical fiction books for children feature Mexican-American main characters. So I knew I wanted to include my family’s story in my series. My grandmother was a Mexican immigrant and my grandfather was Mexican-American, but I don’t recall owning books in English as a child that featured characters from families like mine. I think it’s vitally important for kids of all backgrounds to find themselves in literature. There are few things more exciting to a child than encountering a heroic character who looks or sounds or acts like them. Since my book is set in World War II, it not only gives Latinx children a chance to find themselves in a book, but an opportunity to see how Mexican-American families contributed to the war effort and “did their part” just like so many other families. My main character, Miguel, is a regular kid. He wants to win the respect of his family, to have fun with his friends, and to help win the war. So readers of V de la victoria get to learn American history as they read!

How did you find a translator?

Years ago I met Gloria Garcia Diaz through my friend and fellow author, Laura Resau. She and Laura were friends, and Gloria had translated Laura’s book, A Star in the Forest (Estrella en el bosque). I knew Gloria was a writer, singer, and dancer herself, and I also knew she was a fan of V for Victory, so she seemed the obvious choice to translate the book for me. Since we live in the same town, we could meet in person (before the pandemic) to discuss the translation. Since the book is written using some World War II-era slang, it could be challenging at times. For example, how do you translate the line, “Not too swift, brother”? Gloria was super dedicated to this project from the start. She told me she feels it’s important for kids to recognize themselves in literature, but also that the nature of the story (being set in wartime) might encourage boys and even their fathers to read the book!

How can teachers use this Spanish translation in class?

There are so many ways this book can be used. I do a lot of school visits, and it’s not uncommon to have English Language Learners attend my visits. These kids are working hard to learn English, but in the meantime, it’s so nice for them to have a book to read alongside their English-speaking peers. Spanish teachers also know that it’s easier for people who are learning Spanish to practice reading on a children’s book rather than a textbook or adult book. So I’m hoping this novel will appeal not just to young readers, but to adults learning Spanish, and to adult Spanish-speakers hoping to improve their English!

How can parents use it for schooling at home?  For example, do you have worksheets or activities to go along with this book?

I’ve been advocating for 12 years for the importance of home libraries and book ownership. For over a decade, I’ve offered giveaway programs to support that cause. During the quarantine in the early days of the pandemic, it became clearer to the public how vital home libraries really are. Many teachers were asking their at-home students to read 30 minutes a day, but many kids don’t own a single book. And the libraries were closed. So one of the things I focus on is making sure as many kids as possible have access to my books. They are available in print and e-book, and many of the nonprofits I work with distribute my books to families who need them. Parents can use my books to fill designated reading times, they can also use them to further discussion about their own family history with World War II (ideally asking older relatives to share stories with their kids). Parents and teachers will find AR quizzes, a family history worksheet, lesson plans, reading lists, stories about the real Home-Front heroes, and all kinds of other resources on my website: www.teresafunke.com. Make sure you look under the Author section and the Teacher Resources sections.

Do you plan to translate any other of your World War II books?

At this time, I have no plans to translate other titles of my books. Translating is a long, challenging, and costly process. Given the current pandemic environment, the timing just isn’t right to do more. But I’m enormously proud of V de la victoria and am doing my best to promote this special reading experience. I’m also super excited to have it now available for my Spanish-speaking fans! 

You can purchase this book from Teresa on her website at: https://www.teresafunke.com/product/v-de-la-victoria/

She is offering these specials: Buy 3, Get 1 Free, or Buy 5, Get 2 Free.

Also available through Amazon. 

Don't forget about the PRIZE: Leave a comment below for a chance to win a signed copy. (Contest ends midnight MST on Saturday, September 12, 2020. I will contact the winner for his or her mailing address. United States residents only.) Feel free to share this blog with a friend or teacher. 

Book Birthday

Hooray! It's birthday book day!

This is the first of more activity books to be made from my Night Before books and I'm so glad that my publisher thought of this format! It was so much fun coming up with activities related to Halloween. Word searches. A trick-or-treat maze. An optical illusion! Plus there's a pop-out pumpkin and stickers.

If you are looking for ways to occupy your kids this fall, read them The Night Before Halloween then gift them the activity book as a special treat. 

Get your copy here.

Summer-themed Books

This summer might not be what we were all envisioning - camping, vacations, summer camp, barbecues and potlucks, but thankfully books can still take us there in our imaginations. Here are my summer-themed books:

A boy is nervous about going to summer camp but then finds out the camp counselor is nervous too! They form a friendship and everyone enjoys some summer fun.

Buy The Night Before Summer Camp

A family packs for a camping trip, bringing more than they need of course! Except they forget one important thing and have to turn around. 

Buy The Night Before Summer Vacation

Does your child celebrate a birthday during the summer? You can read him or her this story before the ice cream melts! (Not gender specific)

Buy The Night Before My Birthday

Wish you were lounging on a blanket on the beach? Here are 300 seaside jokes that will transport you to your favorite beach resort. 

Buy Saltwater Sillies

The great thing about these books is that you can sneak in a little learning along with the laughter to keep your child's reading skills polished. 

Enjoy your summer, however it might look like this year!

 

New Election Day Book

November 3, 2020 is Election Day where we decide who our next president will be. Whether you're Republican, Democratic, Independent or Green Party, this book introduces kids to the concept of voting and why it's important for our country to have a democratic voting system, and for people to have a voice via casting a vote. This non-partisan book ends on election night so you can discuss with your kids who you hope will win. There are stickers for your future voter, too!

Here's a link to purchase. 

As always, thank you for your support, especially during these trying pandemic times. Book sales keep authors in business. 

And if you haven't registered to vote yet, please do. Here's a government link to guide you.

Then don't just register. Vote!

 

 

Jackie Kennedy Among Top First Ladies

I've always loved historic buildings. I marvel at the workmanship and wonder what it looked like in the first days of being built. 

When I found out that developers wanted to knock down one of the most iconic buildings in NYC, I was driven to write the story of how a First Lady was moved to save Grand Central Terminal. The case went all the way to the Supreme Court. Today there is a special lobby dedicated to Jackie at the terminal.

Read about what Jackie did after she was out of the White House in the name of historic preservation. (May is National Preservation Month) in When Jackie Saved Grand Central.

Here's a list of the top 15 First Ladies. Do you agree? Who else would you add and why?

Happy National Pet Month

May is National Pet Month - the time to celebrate our furry friends!

With all of us enduring the stay-at-home orders, our pets are sure loving having their house pals around! They have provided comfort and entertainment and are the true front-line heroes. Pet adoptions are up as people are looking for company while staying inside. (I've had three friends on Facebook adopt dogs.)

Our cat, Purrsia, will be turning 10 in July. We got her from a shelter when she was about 3 years old. She has a sweet personality and was rated "sidekick" by the staff - and she sure is! She loves hanging out with us and following us around the house. Her favorite toy is string. She has quite the imagination, playing tag with leaves in the backyard. Purria is quite the talker, too! We've heard her say, "hello" in the early mornings when she wants us to wake up. 

Students ask me if Purrsia has ever been a character in a book. I haven't written about her directly, but she was inspiration for the family in The Night Before the New Pet to get a puppy AND a kitten. Artist Amy Wummer drew a cat that doesn't look like Purrsia, but my cat is just fine with remaining out of the spotlight. 

Her favorite spots to sit are on my husband's lap or on my laptop (because, warm!).

Do you have a furry friend you want to celebrate?

Post a photo in the comments below or on my author Facebook page. And give your furry friend an extra big hug today.

Happy Arbor Day

I grew up in Connecticut so fall is my favorite time of year. It's when the trees pull back their green cloaks and show their beautiful reds, oranges and yellows underneath. Maples are my favorite tree, their shades of red excite me every time I have the privilege of viewing them. It's no wonder when I was given a writing prompt in 1995 that I chose the maple tree.

The prompt was: Talk to a tree. What does it say to you?

"Hello, maple."

"Hello."

"Are you ready for another grand year?"

"My roots are tingling and I can feel the nutrients making their way up my trunk. Ooo-ow. There. My trunk strengthened and my buds popped. Yeah. I'm feeling a growth spurt coming on."

I meant to tell you before the rains come, that your leaves were the most glorious color of red this past fall. Think you could put on a show like that again this year?"

"Better. There'll be more leaves this fall, I guarantee. And from what I can tell, a crisp fall is ahead."

"The neighbors planted a maple you know. Between you and me, it's kinda scrawny. Charilie Brownish, if you know what I mean."

"If you recall, I wasn't much to look at either. Remember the winds of '92? Took my backside right off. I could have used some tree spikes at the beginning too, and maybe less rocks in the soil. It was tough stretching my roots around them."

"I did the best I could. This is the first home I've ever owned. And you're the first maple I planted. Besides, this house is just an experiment. For when I move to the next house, I'll have a driveway lined with maples."

"Will you come back to visit? I'm going to miss you pulling out of this driveway."

"Every fall."

 

 

 

Happy 50th Earth Day!

Earth Day is April 22 and I wanted to celebrate by sharing this poem because April is also Poetry Month.

I've been working on this manuscript for a few years, since saving prairie dogs and their ecosystem is my passion. I have personally helped relocate prairie dogs in Colorado and continue to be an advocate for them.

I wanted kids to learn about this precious ecosystem through a familiar song, Home on the Range. Here I have changed the words to reflect the plains's plants and wildlife and to leave the reader with a message of how important it is to protect open space and to leave it alone so that life can thrive on it. 

Photo by Amanda Wight

Home on the Plains

copyrighted 2019 by Natasha Wing

 

 

Oh give them a home

Where the big bison roam

And the deer and the pronghorn bands stray.

Where seldom is heard

A single human word

And the sky is sunny all day.

 

Oh, give them the gleam

Of the swift mountain stream

And a place where the coneflower grows.

The song of the lark and the prairie dog’s bark

Gets carried in the wind when it blows.

 

Home, home on the plains

Where the pups of the prairie dogs play.

Where seldom is heard

A single human word

And the stream is burbling all day.

 

Oh, give them the grass

Where the cottontail pass

And sage-grouse tend to their nest.

You’ll find mountain plovers among sweet clovers

And migrators stopping to rest.

 

Home, home on the plains

Where the grouse and the brown plovers lay

Where seldom is heard

A single human word

And the grass is nibbled all day.

 

Oh, give them the sky

Where the bald eagles fly

And the kestrels can spread out their wings.

Where the lark bunting and owls go hunting

And the songbird rejoices and sings.

 

Home, home on the plains

Where the owls and the bald eagles splay

Where seldom is heard

A spoken human word

And the wind is breezy all day.

 

Oh, give them a land

Where the coyotes band

And rattlesnakes slither unseen.

Where the sparrows sing songs as a hawk glides along 

Like a ghost in a heavenly dream.

 

Home, home on the plains

Where the snakes and the tall grasses sway

Where seldom is heard

A single human word

And the pup is howling away.

 

Oh give them the nights

With no bright city lights

So the nocturnal animals can feed.

Where the stealthy wild cats and big brown bats

And badgers can hunt what they need.

 

Home, home on the plains

Where the fox and the masked ferrets prey

Where seldom is heard

A single human word…

 

And let’s try to leave it that way.

 

A note to editors: This manuscript is available to acquire. Please contact me at natashawing@gmail.com.

Bunny Drawings

I have a dream of one day illustrating my own book. In the meantime, I'm painting animals with watercolors and have an afinity for bunnies as you can see! With Easter on its way, I thought I'd share my bunnies.