Suzy Davies's Blog: Book News - Posts Tagged "reading"
Snugs On Air!
Super-excited to be recording an author's interview on my old home ground with Jonathan Hines of U.K Talk Radio! Really looking forward to our chat tomorrow, and I will let you know when it is going to go live. Be sure to watch this blog for details of "Snugs The Snow Bear," my latest creation on Amazon Worldwide!
What The Kids Say about Snugs!
I had the most wonderful time at a Children's Center today, reading my brand new Children's Book, "Snugs The Snow Bear," Book One of "The
Snugs Series"
Here are some of the gems:
"Are you coming back? I'm going to beg so that you do!"
" An impression is a kind of emotion." (This was a bright seven year old's explanation of the title of the last chapter - "Snugs Makes A Lasting Impression.")
"Is The Bear on the cliff Snugs? Wow!"
"How long did it take to write the book?
"I like the chapter in Iceland the best, when they are playing together!"
"We want you to read all the books in the series to us!"
Snugs Series"
Here are some of the gems:
"Are you coming back? I'm going to beg so that you do!"
" An impression is a kind of emotion." (This was a bright seven year old's explanation of the title of the last chapter - "Snugs Makes A Lasting Impression.")
"Is The Bear on the cliff Snugs? Wow!"
"How long did it take to write the book?
"I like the chapter in Iceland the best, when they are playing together!"
"We want you to read all the books in the series to us!"
Happy World Book Day in The U.K!
I'd like to wish all my readers, followers, and those lovely people who gave "Snugs The Snow Bear" 5 star reviews, a Very Happy World Book Day!
Today gives us the chance to celebrate good writers and their books!
Get involved in World Book Day, and discover something new in Children's Fiction for your kids!
Once again, thank you all for your support and kindnesses. It is great to make people happy doing what I love, and to be appreciated!
Today gives us the chance to celebrate good writers and their books!
Get involved in World Book Day, and discover something new in Children's Fiction for your kids!
Once again, thank you all for your support and kindnesses. It is great to make people happy doing what I love, and to be appreciated!
Poetry is Fun and Educational!
Ever since my childhood days, when I read Lewis Carol's, “Alice in Wonderland,” “The Owl and The Pussycat,” by Edward Lear, “From a Railway Carriage,” by Robert Louis Stevenson, and Walter De La Mare's, “Eeka, Neeka, Leeka, Lee,” I have been captivated by poetry. Here is the latter poem:
Eeka, Neeka, Leeka, Lee,
here's a lock without a key.
Bring a lantern, bring a candle,
here's a door, without a handle!
Shine, shine, you old thief, Moon!
Here's a door, without a room.
Not a whisper, moth or mouse,
key, lock, door, room -
where's the house?
Say nothing, creep away,
and live to knock,
another day!
Walter De La Mare.
One can understand why poems are such a lure for children. In a sense, children's poetry that works
has much in common with songs. Poems appeal to children because of the playfulness involved in making exciting and unusual sounds. They can be a kind of hide and seek with words, as they tap into a child's natural curiosity.
Poems are full of exciting images, awakening children's sense of mystery and wonder. Who is Eeka
Neeka? Where is the house? Why does she visit it at night? What magic is the poet describing? Or is
it all nonsense? Poems surprise and delight.
Of course, no poems are more popular these days than those of Dr. Seuss. With his poems, there's also a focus on the unexpected, on clear simple language, and on tapping into children's sense of adventure - “Oh, The Places You'll Go!”
Poetry takes children into a universe which is accessible to them. It widens their small world at the same time as it draws on a world that seems familiar. “Look, what do you hear?”
E.B. White famously said, “Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder,” and I believe it is this sense of awe and curiosity that good poems speak to. Yes, I said, “speak to,” because all the best poems are a delight - for all the senses. In this world of “headwork,” poems provide a balance. They are an education of the heart.
Poetry enchants children with its musicality. Rhyming poems are musical. When children read poetry out loud, focusing on rhyming words, rhythmic cadences, and onomatopoeia, it is almost like singing the words.. Kids can have fun identifying which words sound the same, but are spelt differently. They can play guessing games, anticipating which word will rhyme in the next line, and so on.
The musicality of poems ties in with number awareness. Kids can look for the number of syllables in a word, beats in a line, the number of stanzas, and sometimes, even, the shape of a poem. Some poems feature numbers or mathematically-related topics and can be adapted to teach numeracy at home and in schools.
Poems with interesting sounds can be useful to encourage children in the Performance Arts. Kids can act out the characters in the poems, and share with siblings or a live audience.
Being a character develops children's imaginations, essential for cultivating empathy skills.
By performing poems, kids learn pronunciation, pitch, projection of voice and intonation. They learn how to breathe and pause. They use their voices as musical instruments.
Reciting well-loved verses helps develop a child's focus and memory, made easier because little poems are manageable, and remembering rhyme is a memory aid.
I remember, when I was very young, singing Walter De La Mare's whimsical poem, “Eeka Neeka,” which was set to a tune at a local singing competition.
During the rehearsals, my piano and singing teacher asked me to think about the meaning of the words so that I could convey the meaning to a live audience.
Of course, children get to understand that meaning comes from the sounds as well the words themselves, and when they a little older, they will read for subtext and inference.
Poems are very useful for preparing children to learn languages. Why? Because kids develop a sensitive ear, and they learn to distinguish patterns in language and sounds, helping them build phonetic awareness.
Contrary to popular belief, because poetry is so accessible, reading poems builds confidence. I learned that practice improves performance and that reading aloud to an audience helps you overcome anxiety and shyness. Another benefit is that reading poetry prepares children for reading longer, more difficult prose.
Reading and performing poetry as a child taught me so much, and I was encouraged to experiment with words and write my own things. Do you wonder whether these kinds of experiences are long lasting? I believe poems inspire creative thinking in children because they are rich in metaphor, stimulating the imagination. They can act as a springboard for all kinds of creativity.
From reading my favorite poems, I developed a love of writing them. And years later, when I wrote my children's poetry book, “Sleepy Animals,” I was surprised to discover the influence of Walter De La Mare on my own work. .
Of course, at the heart of any good children's poetry book is beautiful artwork that complements the
poems. Words and pictures together appeal to all the senses and help to create a balance of thinking and feeling, mind and body.
Eeka, Neeka, Leeka, Lee,
here's a lock without a key.
Bring a lantern, bring a candle,
here's a door, without a handle!
Shine, shine, you old thief, Moon!
Here's a door, without a room.
Not a whisper, moth or mouse,
key, lock, door, room -
where's the house?
Say nothing, creep away,
and live to knock,
another day!
Walter De La Mare.
One can understand why poems are such a lure for children. In a sense, children's poetry that works
has much in common with songs. Poems appeal to children because of the playfulness involved in making exciting and unusual sounds. They can be a kind of hide and seek with words, as they tap into a child's natural curiosity.
Poems are full of exciting images, awakening children's sense of mystery and wonder. Who is Eeka
Neeka? Where is the house? Why does she visit it at night? What magic is the poet describing? Or is
it all nonsense? Poems surprise and delight.
Of course, no poems are more popular these days than those of Dr. Seuss. With his poems, there's also a focus on the unexpected, on clear simple language, and on tapping into children's sense of adventure - “Oh, The Places You'll Go!”
Poetry takes children into a universe which is accessible to them. It widens their small world at the same time as it draws on a world that seems familiar. “Look, what do you hear?”
E.B. White famously said, “Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder,” and I believe it is this sense of awe and curiosity that good poems speak to. Yes, I said, “speak to,” because all the best poems are a delight - for all the senses. In this world of “headwork,” poems provide a balance. They are an education of the heart.
Poetry enchants children with its musicality. Rhyming poems are musical. When children read poetry out loud, focusing on rhyming words, rhythmic cadences, and onomatopoeia, it is almost like singing the words.. Kids can have fun identifying which words sound the same, but are spelt differently. They can play guessing games, anticipating which word will rhyme in the next line, and so on.
The musicality of poems ties in with number awareness. Kids can look for the number of syllables in a word, beats in a line, the number of stanzas, and sometimes, even, the shape of a poem. Some poems feature numbers or mathematically-related topics and can be adapted to teach numeracy at home and in schools.
Poems with interesting sounds can be useful to encourage children in the Performance Arts. Kids can act out the characters in the poems, and share with siblings or a live audience.
Being a character develops children's imaginations, essential for cultivating empathy skills.
By performing poems, kids learn pronunciation, pitch, projection of voice and intonation. They learn how to breathe and pause. They use their voices as musical instruments.
Reciting well-loved verses helps develop a child's focus and memory, made easier because little poems are manageable, and remembering rhyme is a memory aid.
I remember, when I was very young, singing Walter De La Mare's whimsical poem, “Eeka Neeka,” which was set to a tune at a local singing competition.
During the rehearsals, my piano and singing teacher asked me to think about the meaning of the words so that I could convey the meaning to a live audience.
Of course, children get to understand that meaning comes from the sounds as well the words themselves, and when they a little older, they will read for subtext and inference.
Poems are very useful for preparing children to learn languages. Why? Because kids develop a sensitive ear, and they learn to distinguish patterns in language and sounds, helping them build phonetic awareness.
Contrary to popular belief, because poetry is so accessible, reading poems builds confidence. I learned that practice improves performance and that reading aloud to an audience helps you overcome anxiety and shyness. Another benefit is that reading poetry prepares children for reading longer, more difficult prose.
Reading and performing poetry as a child taught me so much, and I was encouraged to experiment with words and write my own things. Do you wonder whether these kinds of experiences are long lasting? I believe poems inspire creative thinking in children because they are rich in metaphor, stimulating the imagination. They can act as a springboard for all kinds of creativity.
From reading my favorite poems, I developed a love of writing them. And years later, when I wrote my children's poetry book, “Sleepy Animals,” I was surprised to discover the influence of Walter De La Mare on my own work. .
Of course, at the heart of any good children's poetry book is beautiful artwork that complements the
poems. Words and pictures together appeal to all the senses and help to create a balance of thinking and feeling, mind and body.
Amazon Book Review
5-stars for "Celebrate The Seasons" by Suzy Davies and Laurie Shanholtzer
This is a 'STUNNING' poetry book in so many ways. The beautiful words of the poetry took me back to so many memories as a child. Going fishing with my dad and spending time at the beach. Even the poems about Christmas time flooded back very fond memories. What brings this book together are the unbelievable illustrations throughout. They really are incredible! The detail and the warmth of the illustrations combined with the poetry are brilliant. Loved it!
This is a 'STUNNING' poetry book in so many ways. The beautiful words of the poetry took me back to so many memories as a child. Going fishing with my dad and spending time at the beach. Even the poems about Christmas time flooded back very fond memories. What brings this book together are the unbelievable illustrations throughout. They really are incredible! The detail and the warmth of the illustrations combined with the poetry are brilliant. Loved it!
“World Book Day. Why Read Books to Children? Does it matter? Does it make a difference? Yes, it Does!” By Suzy Davies
Bringing up kids and doing it right is difficult. Parents and significant others are just humans, wonderful carers doing their best.
We often talk about the best way to prepare children for their lives, and what will help them best.
When reading and books are part of children’s lives, part of their routines, and the love they are shown on a daily basis, children begin to associate reading with pleasure and happy emotions. It doesn't really matter what they read, as long as it does no harm and your child enjoys it. They will gain from reading. Let me count the ways!
Reading creates building blocks for Literacy. Literacy is a key, essential skill that unlocks many pathways to learning, whether academic or practical. I once taught a child of 17 who was illiterate when she came to me. She had difficulty finding things in the supermarket because she did not understand social sight words - common words that most people take for granted. She had never attended formal school, and her sole experience in life was caring for her widower father. I taught her step by step by creating age-appropriate learning materials from scratch. She was with me for over a year. I saw her transformation from an anxious little girl to a woman who had confidence that she could navigate the world! After she left my class, she came back to see me and proudly showed me an engagement ring. She has also landed a job! Literacy is a life skill that is not an option. You owe it to your child to read to them, and when they are able to read for themselves, to encourage a love of reading and books.
So what else does reading do? Well, it creates empathy. Children learn social skills, and the ability to put themselves into another person’s shoes. Empathy is something that is underestimated in this world of analysis. But a good listener is a good conversationalist because they can read the messages behind what someone is saying and respond with compassion and understanding. Children’s books with rich characterization and a colorful, natural conversational style are memorable to young children, and help them cultivate their communication skills.
Moreover, reading expands the mind, and in particular, the imagination. As Einstein suggested, the imagination is far greater than a knowledge bank since it is all about the ability to think laterally, to create, and invent. In life, we often have to adapt our approach and improvise, even in our everyday routines. For instance, what if an item in a recipe is missing from our cupboards or fridges. What do we do? We improvise! Invention and improvisation help us navigate difficulties and challenges with a Can-Do attitude.
Children’s books, of course, should do something more than simply entertain and should have educational value.
What else do children’s books do? They promote curiosity. Again, drawing on Einstein, we all know that cleverness is more often than not developed by a passion for inquiry, and we can stimulate this passion by showing children a world that is bigger than the world with which they are familiar.
Reading books that “go beyond” allow children’s minds to expand, they develop new vocabulary, and we know that our capacity to think, to perceive, and to express our thoughts depends directly on our stock of words.
In this “get by” culture why do we short-change our kids, and why are some people content to leave education to teachers and schools alone? This is like putting your child’s destiny in the hands of a stranger or at best, trusting that destiny to someone other than yourself.
Children's lives are precious! In these troubled times, we can encourage friendship with others by encouraging children to read with us at home. Sharing stories with siblings and peers will help create bonds between children, and they will learn that friends often have similar interests and tastes.
In addition, diverse books, which celebrate differences, for instance diverse cultures, will teach children mutual respect and understanding, so essential to build a better world. Happy World Book Day!
We often talk about the best way to prepare children for their lives, and what will help them best.
When reading and books are part of children’s lives, part of their routines, and the love they are shown on a daily basis, children begin to associate reading with pleasure and happy emotions. It doesn't really matter what they read, as long as it does no harm and your child enjoys it. They will gain from reading. Let me count the ways!
Reading creates building blocks for Literacy. Literacy is a key, essential skill that unlocks many pathways to learning, whether academic or practical. I once taught a child of 17 who was illiterate when she came to me. She had difficulty finding things in the supermarket because she did not understand social sight words - common words that most people take for granted. She had never attended formal school, and her sole experience in life was caring for her widower father. I taught her step by step by creating age-appropriate learning materials from scratch. She was with me for over a year. I saw her transformation from an anxious little girl to a woman who had confidence that she could navigate the world! After she left my class, she came back to see me and proudly showed me an engagement ring. She has also landed a job! Literacy is a life skill that is not an option. You owe it to your child to read to them, and when they are able to read for themselves, to encourage a love of reading and books.
So what else does reading do? Well, it creates empathy. Children learn social skills, and the ability to put themselves into another person’s shoes. Empathy is something that is underestimated in this world of analysis. But a good listener is a good conversationalist because they can read the messages behind what someone is saying and respond with compassion and understanding. Children’s books with rich characterization and a colorful, natural conversational style are memorable to young children, and help them cultivate their communication skills.
Moreover, reading expands the mind, and in particular, the imagination. As Einstein suggested, the imagination is far greater than a knowledge bank since it is all about the ability to think laterally, to create, and invent. In life, we often have to adapt our approach and improvise, even in our everyday routines. For instance, what if an item in a recipe is missing from our cupboards or fridges. What do we do? We improvise! Invention and improvisation help us navigate difficulties and challenges with a Can-Do attitude.
Children’s books, of course, should do something more than simply entertain and should have educational value.
What else do children’s books do? They promote curiosity. Again, drawing on Einstein, we all know that cleverness is more often than not developed by a passion for inquiry, and we can stimulate this passion by showing children a world that is bigger than the world with which they are familiar.
Reading books that “go beyond” allow children’s minds to expand, they develop new vocabulary, and we know that our capacity to think, to perceive, and to express our thoughts depends directly on our stock of words.
In this “get by” culture why do we short-change our kids, and why are some people content to leave education to teachers and schools alone? This is like putting your child’s destiny in the hands of a stranger or at best, trusting that destiny to someone other than yourself.
Children's lives are precious! In these troubled times, we can encourage friendship with others by encouraging children to read with us at home. Sharing stories with siblings and peers will help create bonds between children, and they will learn that friends often have similar interests and tastes.
In addition, diverse books, which celebrate differences, for instance diverse cultures, will teach children mutual respect and understanding, so essential to build a better world. Happy World Book Day!
"Make Em Laugh": Why Humor in Kids' Books is Excellent for Your Child!
It is well-documented that laughter is good for health, but there's a bit more to it than that. Humor in kids' books, develops life skills for kids, and here's how.
According to the Kids Experts in Children's Minnesota, you will be delighted to hear of the following, and I quote among the many benefits of reading funny children's books are:
"A good sense of humor is a tool that kids can rely on throughout life to help them: see things from many perspectives other than the most obvious
be spontaneous
grasp unconventional ideas or ways of thinking
see beyond the surface of things
enjoy and participate in the playful aspects of life
not take themselves too seriously."
Of course, sharing jokes is a way that kids find things in common with their peers, and a good laugh shared is twice as fun!
The bodily functions humor in my newest picture book, "Poop The Dragon," aims to take away the embarrassment some children feel when talking about "Poo" and to help develop an openness about that and farting, for example. In actuality, kids of early school age love slapstick and bodily functions kind of humor. My publisher, Lizy J. Campbell, CEO of Elite Lizzard Publishing, has illustrated this book in a fun Disney kind of way. Poop The Dragon is larger than life, and will appeal to kids' imaginations and make them laugh out loud!
Research shows that humor helps "pull in" reluctant readers and grabs their attention. Laughter, of course, triggers the natural "pleasure chemicals" in the body, so adult parents and grandparents who read along with their kids, will find that humor is contagious, and they will reap the proven therapeutic benefits, too.
Part of social and emotional learning, sharing funny stories reduces stress and builds a child's community of friendship, where kids learn we are all learning and growing, and it's okay to make mistakes from time to time.
According to the Kids Experts in Children's Minnesota, you will be delighted to hear of the following, and I quote among the many benefits of reading funny children's books are:
"A good sense of humor is a tool that kids can rely on throughout life to help them: see things from many perspectives other than the most obvious
be spontaneous
grasp unconventional ideas or ways of thinking
see beyond the surface of things
enjoy and participate in the playful aspects of life
not take themselves too seriously."
Of course, sharing jokes is a way that kids find things in common with their peers, and a good laugh shared is twice as fun!
The bodily functions humor in my newest picture book, "Poop The Dragon," aims to take away the embarrassment some children feel when talking about "Poo" and to help develop an openness about that and farting, for example. In actuality, kids of early school age love slapstick and bodily functions kind of humor. My publisher, Lizy J. Campbell, CEO of Elite Lizzard Publishing, has illustrated this book in a fun Disney kind of way. Poop The Dragon is larger than life, and will appeal to kids' imaginations and make them laugh out loud!
Research shows that humor helps "pull in" reluctant readers and grabs their attention. Laughter, of course, triggers the natural "pleasure chemicals" in the body, so adult parents and grandparents who read along with their kids, will find that humor is contagious, and they will reap the proven therapeutic benefits, too.
Part of social and emotional learning, sharing funny stories reduces stress and builds a child's community of friendship, where kids learn we are all learning and growing, and it's okay to make mistakes from time to time.
Book News
"The Flamingos Who Painted The Sky," our new picture book is NOW fully available to bring in #Christmas #sunshine, #flamingo #sunsets, and #happiness #worldwide Illustrated by the talented Shirin Mass ...more
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