Valarie Budayr's Blog, page 50
October 27, 2016
Calling All Children’s Book Reviewers! MCCBD2017 Needs YOU! {and you don’t need to be a blogger}
For the 4th year, myself and co-founder, Mia Wenjen, are gearing up for yet another wildly successful Multicultural Children’s Book Day on January 27, 2017!
SO MUCH is in the works this year and we are giddy with excitement (and dying to spill the beans), but we can’t share just yet.
One major change to the MCCBD process we CAN share and it involves all of the book lovers and reviewers out there that, year after year, step forward to review multicultural children’s books in honor of this online holiday.
So let me ask you; are you interested in receiving a FREE multicultural children’s book to review for Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2017? The MCCBD team has a new perk this year that will appeal to more than bloggers!
In years past, MCCBD has asked for BLOGGERS to sign up to receive a free book in return for a review on their blog in honor of the January 27th online event. This year, they are thrilled to expand their invitation for a FREE diversity book to review, along with the optional book extension activity to blog posts, to anyone who is active on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.
In a nutshell; you don’t have to be a blogger to review multicultural children’s books for the MCCBD 2017 holiday! You just need to have a love of diversity in children’s literature and be willing to share on your social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram or YouTube.
Just pick the social media platform that you are most comfortable on and post your review for everyone to read and enjoy there. When signing up to be one of our book reviewers simply indicate which platform(s) you plan to post your review on in the “blog URL” space on the below Google sign up form that can be found HERE.
How the Review Process Works: Information for our valued Reviewers During a Multicultural Children’s Book Day Event
Step One:Reviewers sign up via a Google Sign-up and review a multicultural children’s book for this event. If you will be posting your book review somewhere other than a blog, simply indicate which platform(s) you plan to post your review on in the “blog URL” space on the below Google sign up form.
Step Two: Reviewers are then “matched” by the MCCBD team with an author or publisher that will supply them with a free children’s book to review some time in November/December.
Step Three: Once matched, an email will go out sharing who you are matched with. Please respond in a timely fashion with the best mailing address to mail your free children’s book to. Authors and Publishers are responsible for getting reviewers their books so we want to give everyone plenty of time to receive and read their free book.
Step Four: Reviewers are then encouraged to share their thoughts on the book (a basic book review) in the form of a complete and descriptive post on their chosen platform Many Reviewers add a book extension activity that is fun and acts as a way to bring the story to life.
Step Five: Once the book review post is live (any time between January 1 and January 27th is good), Reviewers are invited to “link up” their blog post on the Linky that will be found on any of their CoHosts’ sites and also the MCCBD website. This linky will go live on January 27th..
Go HERE for Reviewer sign-up for 1/27/2017 (NOTE: They will not be shipping out any books for the 2017 online event until Nov/Dec of 2016!)
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FREE Gift! Free 180 Multicultural Book Ideas ebook to inspired fun Reading!
School is back in session in many parts of the world and our youngsters are settling into a new routine of learning and structured reading. With the hectic days of summer behind us, the habit of daily reading is back at the top of most parent’s priority lists.
Reading is always an important part of our children’s lives no matter what time of year it is so I decided to wrap my knowledge of fun kidlit books and activities up with my experience as one of the co-founders of the very successful Multicultural Children’s Book Day and create a unique resource for parents who are looking for creative ways to keep their kids reading all year long.
Reading is important, but so is helping our young readers learn about other cultures, religions and traditions through the pages of these books. Here are some great booklists and resources that I have created over the years at Jump Into a Book that will not only give parents and readers great ideas on diverse kids’ books, but fun activities related to books that will bring stories to life!
Sign up below for quick and free access to 180 Multicultural Book Ideas: World Travel through Kidlit Reading!
Sign up for 180 Multicultural Book Ideas for Summer Reading
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The post Calling All Children’s Book Reviewers! MCCBD2017 Needs YOU! {and you don’t need to be a blogger} appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
October 25, 2016
Kidlit Graphic Novels You’ll Die For
Let me just say that the genre of comic books has been taken up a notch. When I was a kid a comic book was a magazine that we couldn’t wait for the next edition to come out.
I’ve been loving the growth of the Kidlit Graphic Novels genre as it’s the perfect type of book for reluctant readers. Each cartoon bubble has bits of text that carries a continuous storyline.
When I saw each one of these graphic/illustrated novels debut I was spellbound by not only the compelling and engaging stories but the exquisite beauty and uniqueness of the art itself.
Here are my top picks for Graphic/Illustrated/Comic novels
Armstrong: The Adventurous Journey of a Mouse to the Moon by Torben Kuhlmann.
Done in drop dead gorgeous illustrations, Armstrong, The Adventurous Journey of a Mouse to the Moon, is a must have and keepsake for any family library. Torben Kuhlmann’s impressive artwork transports us to the moon and all of the adventures that holds. Step by step Armstrong the mouse must use his inspiration and imagination to get himself to the moon. Told in a whimsical way, we get to watch our mouse hero make a spacesuit, plan his mission, build a spaceship to get himself there, and many other specifics to space travel. At the end of the book there is a non-fiction which holds the history of space and space travel. Everything from Galileo to the first steps on the moon. This book is a major winner! Grab your copy on Amazon HERE. Torben Kuhlmann is also the author of Lindbergh: The Tale of a Flying Mouse.
From the creator of Captain Under Pants come Dog Man. This crime fighting hero is part dog and part man. Greg is a police dog. He and his cop companion have been injured on duty and have to have a life saving surgery. Hence Dog Man is born. With the head of a dog and the body of a man, this sleuth partnership can fight any crime. Dav Pilkey understands the child psyche like no other. Kids just sit here laughing and gobbling up this story. Dog Man has kids turning pages as fast as they can read them. They even laugh out loud and feel the need to find the nearest adult to read sections out loud to them. You will also find your children reading sections to friends and siblings. This book is just too good not to share.
Two sisters Catrina and Maya have to move with their family to Northern California because of Maya’s illness cystic fibrosis. As they explore their new hometown of Bahia de la luna, the girls discover that Bahia de la luna, has ghosts. Maya is determined to meet one, while Catrina never wants to see one in her life. As the time of year approaches where ghosts reunite with their loved ones, Catrina must learn to work through her fears for her sisters sake. This is a captivating story about the power of courage, love, and friendship which can help us transcend things we thought we never could. Beautiful and insightful story.
Snow White: A Graphic Novel by Matt Phelan
Set amidst the roaring 20’s and the Depression, Snow White is in New York City for the noir-esque adaptation of one of the best known fairy tales. This is simply a spectacular remake. Samantha White is returning home to New York City after being sent away by her wicked step mother, the Queen of the Follies. After surviving the stock market crash of 1929, Samantha White’s father the King of Wall Street dies for no apparent reason. The seven dwarves are replaced with street children who are there to protect the girl who is as white as snow. The mirror on the wall has turned into a ticker tape that churns out the words, another….MORE Beautiful……kill.
Graphic artist and storyteller Phelan has captured this beautifully in gray and sepia colored graphic illustrations. The colored illustrations at the end of the story will just grab you by the heart and shake you.
This book reads like a film and draws the reader into it’s world within seconds.
And for those who might just want to write a comic book/graphic novel/illustrated novel of their own, here’s a collection of 13 of the top comic book author/illustrators with behind the look scenes of how it’s done and what inspires them and their stories.
This book is for the die hard comic/graphic book fan. It is a behind the scene look into the powerful influences of the genre i.e. from Manga to Movies to the underground Comix movement and how these have influenced the 13 artists and writers portrayed in it’s pages. It covers how these artists create their own word and picture novels and stories. In delves into their work habits, funny and inspirational stories and the real life, true tales of what it means to be a creative storyteller and the struggles that sometimes holds. Each one of the 13 people interviewed in this book were also asked create an original graphic short on the theme of “the city”. They could a cityscape in the present day, historical or imaginary settings. For those who love comic books/graphic novels and the artists and writers that create them, this is the book for you. The featured creators are: Harry Bliss,Catia Chien,Geoffrey Hayes,Kazu Kibuishi,Hope Larson,Danica Novgorodoff,Matt Phelan,Dave Roman,Mark and Siena Cherson Siegel,James Sturm,Sara Varon,Gene Luen Yang.
Have you read any great comic books or graphic novels for kids lately? If so, share below in the comments!
**Some of these links are affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I may get a very small commission.
This money goes towards postage and supplies to keep books and ideas in the hands of young readers!
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If you are in the mood for another and interactive story, check out the enhanced digital eBook for kids, The Ultimate Guide to Charlie and The Chocolate Factory!
The Ultimate Guide To Charlie And The Chocolate Factory is a step by step roadmap to this magical world. Just some of the fun includes:
A story filled with beautiful graphic illustrations including tantalizing Treasure Maps and vibrant tutorials.
Over 20 Crafts and activities that not only entertain, but educate.
You get to jump inside the book and enjoy creating the adventures yourself (Templates, maps, and more are included.)
Ever wonder where chocolate comes from? Or how gum is made? Wonder no more. Now you get to make your own.
Conduct activities in the areas of crafting, cooking, and game-playing as well as exploring many facets of candy production.
The option to take Charlie’s journey over the course of several days or take shorter journeys if you wish.
The creation of a new ritual of reading time with your family and the opportunity to experience the reading of this imaginative tale as a group activity, not a solitary event.
Go HERE to learn more and grab your copy from iBooks!
The post Kidlit Graphic Novels You’ll Die For appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
October 23, 2016
Giving previously-loved kids books a new home: Book or Treat
About five years ago, I started a revolution…..well…something I hope will be a revolution anyway 
October 20, 2016
Using Kidlit to Acknowledge National Bullying Prevention Month
Can you believe this is the 10 year anniversary of the inception of National Bullying Prevention Month?
National Bullying Prevention Month is a nationwide campaign founded in 2006 by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center. The campaign is held during the month of October and unites communities around the world to educate and raise awareness of bullying prevention.
PACER developed the initial campaign National Bullying Prevention and Awareness Week in response to the need to raise awareness of bullying, as it was historically viewed “a childhood rite of passage” and believed that bullying “made kids tougher”, when the reality is that bullying has devastating effects such as school avoidance, loss of self-esteem, increased anxiety, and depression. PACER reached out to the community through partnerships with education based organizations such as National PTA, American Federation of Teachers and National Education Association to provide schools, parents and students with resources to respond to bullying behavior and to begin the shift of societal acceptance of bullying to social change of addressing the issue through education and support.
Over the past 10 years, this campaign grew from a small week-long event to a worldwide effort with multiple activities throughout October. National Bullying Prevention Month is supported by hundreds of schools, major corporations, and celebrities.
Raising awareness about bullying starts with a conversation. Pacer.org created their The End of Bullying Begins With Me! campaign as a way to let bullied teens speak up and speak out against bullying. Go here to learn more and watch some pretty powerful stories.
The conversation between parents and school-aged kids can be a little tougher to initiate, but here at Jump Into a Book, we feel books are the best way to open the dialogue on a tricky topic. From picture books to chapter books, I’ve dug up and reviewed some pretty amazing books for kids that educate on the subject of bullying. Here are some age-appropriate books for kids:
K-2
(click the image to view the extended book descriptions of many excellent picture books on this subject)
Grades 3-5
(click the image to view the extended book descriptions of many excellent picture books on this subject)
Grades 6-8th
(click the image to view the extended book descriptions of many excellent picture books on this subject)
“With all my might, you’ll all take flight… If I could but wish for better things, you’d all disperse and grow your wings. ” Benjamin Brewster, Dandelion
APPS
Rarely do I feel captivated and drawn into an imaginary app world, but this app had me with the first screen and the first note of the it’s beautiful soundtrack. From there, we entered into a world of hope and possibilities. Even more surprising is the topic matter of e-book app, which is bullying.
CLICK TO TWEET “Bullying is for people with no imagination.” -Benjamin Brewster, (from the book app Dandelion) #bullying
When author Galvin Scott Davis’ son came home from school sharing that he was being bullied, Galvin having few answers decided to offer his son a solution by way of using his imagination and creativity. Lucky for us, we too have been let in to the world of his imagination to discover solutions to this difficult problem by providing solutions for the main character of the story.
Dandelion is a story about a little boy named Benjamin Brewster who is bullied each day at “The School for the Misguided.” One day, when all seems lost, a patch of magical Dandelions appear which allow him to conjure a new world from his imagination.
Galvin Scott Davis along with the award-winning app developers at Protein have created something truly magical as they encourage kids to discuss bullying through their interaction with the Dandelion app.
I personally like the way the app is organized with some of the interactive features set as extras. Another nice component is the text is set in a variety of languages.
It is the author’s wish that Dandelion encourages parents and children to talk about bullying and to use imagination to solve this very difficult and precarious problem. This creative team has risen to the occasion and have done so brilliantly. From within the app you can purchase the book, a wrist band, and dandelion decal. Dandelion is iTunes BEST of pick for 2012. Once you’ve seen this ingenious app you’ll see why.
Dandelion can be found on iTunes HERE.
And the print version HERE.
ANTI-CYBERBULLYING APP
Awarded the 2010 Parents’ Choice Silver Honors Award for top mobile app for kids, Mobicip includes a range of controls that are sure to help teachers, administrators, and parents. With three restriction levels, Mobicip blocks sites and apps depending on their age. For example, if your student is in middle school they wouldn’t be allowed to go onto chat sites and social networking apps. (Cost: the Basic option is Free)
Created for parents monitoring their children, schools can use My Mobile Watchdog to get alerts on a teacher’s computer when there are questionable texts, photos, and videos being sent. With schools working alongside parents this particular app can help to prevent cyberbullying in schools and at home. (Cost: $14.95 per month for one student)
Something to Do:
Bullying has been a very real problem all over the globe. Following are some perspectives and activities to help you and your family investigate and create solutions which work for you and yours.
Storytelling:
The story behind Dandelion allows and engages the imagination to allow readers to “live” the story. Storytelling is an excellent teaching strategy because stories ignite kids’ interest, helping them to create vivid mental images and stories activate the thinking process. The storytelling process is also brought to light in Pacer.org’s tale of SpookyThe Pumpkin.
Spooky is a square pumpkin living in a round pumpkin world. Through Spooky, Pace.org has created a wonderful system of stories, role-playing, and video to help young minds understand the effects of bullying.
Empathy skills: Happy-Mad-Sad.
Encourage children to label their own feelings and tell each other how they feel about bullying.
Discuss how children who are bullied might feel.
Explain that despite differences between people, everyone experiences certain basic feelings.
Remind children how they felt in situations like those faced by others in distress.
Model empathy by talking about how you identify another’s distress and think of ways to help.
Encourage your kids to be creative by creating ” bullying art.” Ask them to create masks depicting the different human emotions. This helps to get them thinking about bullying and the emotions that go along with it. Our friends over at No Time For Flash Cards has a great tutorial on making Emotions Masks from Paper Plates.
Emotions Mask Activity
DLTK-Kids Also has some great printable facial expressions to help add color and flair to your mask. Those can be found HERE.
Puppet Show!
Using your new emotions masks and other puppets from Pacer.org, your family or class can create a puppet show! Pacer also has a great script to print off and use for your show HERE. 
Create a Caring Chain
Crayola.com has a wonderful activity called The Caring Chain:
How do you stop bullying? These bright paper rings—looped into a chain—highlight kind and respectful ways to treat people. Even bullies want friends!
For extended details, directions, and supply list go HERE.
Sing a Little Louder: Be heard. Share. Talk About it. Be a Spokesperson
Hayley Reardon was a shy quite teenager who never aspired to be a musician. Then one day she picked up a guitar and started to play. And then she started to write. One of her first songs? A song called She’s Falling.
“Hayley Reardon, who is 5-foot-1 and has a warm round face and long brown hair, was moved to act after seeing the emotional wreckage bullying can cause up close. In the seventh grade, she watched a friend, a target of online attacks, struggle badly and leave school for a time. Reardon felt helpless. She wrote a song called “She’s Falling,” as a way to work through the experience. That’s when she hit upon a Minnesota-based nonprofit organization, PACER, and its National Bullying Prevention Center. Reardon says she’s received e-mails, messages, and tweets from youth around the world sharing tales of bullying — victims and aggressors both. One lonely Iowa girl wrote from a bathroom stall and became the inspiration for Reardon to finish the song “Tribe,” about belonging, which is on the new record.” -Boston Globe
To read more about this amazing 16-year old, go HERE.
What projects or activities have you found useful for talking to your kids about bullying?
Something To Do
Pacer.org’s Top 10 reasons to celebrate
The number one reason to celebrate? You can be a part of a cause that’s uniting a nation! Historically, bullying had been viewed as “a childhood rite of passage,” but National Bullying Prevention Month is now a nationwide call to action — providing schools, parents and students with the educational resources and support to better respond to bullying behavior.
View the top 10 list to learn ways you can get involved.
Show Your Support
Register your school or organization as a Champion Against Bullying
Add your name to the digital “The End of Bullying Begins With Me” petition
Sign up for the Bullying Prevention Newsletter
Speak in your community about bullying prevention and local activities.
Download, print and share the flyer with your school, organization or community.
Order the official PACER t-shirt from CustomInk. Available August 1 – October 31, 2016.
Complete the brief on-line form sharing your plans to celebrate National Bullying Prevention Month.
Looking for a creative way to “re-home” your previously-loved children’s books? Consider creating a Book or Treat campaign in your neighborhood!
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The post Using Kidlit to Acknowledge National Bullying Prevention Month appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
October 18, 2016
Finger Print: Princesses and Fairies and 100 Other Magical Creatures!
{guest post from Hannah Rials}
Finger Print: Princesses and Fairies and 100 Other Magical Creatures
Create engaging art activities with your children – at home or in the classroom. Packed with fun step-by-step instructions, this book teaches you how to make 30 classic fairytale characters including nymphs, fairies, princesses, butterflies, and angels with only the tips of your fingers. Create your own enchanting world, no paintbrush required! Kids aren’t the only ones who will enjoy it, artists of all ages can put their fingers on the fun of art. Use the characters to spice up you art journals and doodles. Creativity is at your fingertips! Amazon
I remember having this book as a child, and I spent hours upon hours stamping my fingers into a rainbow of ink colors. But this book is even more magical than the one’s I remember because this book helps you to create your own world of fairies…with the press of your thumb!
There’s something very motivating about reading an amazing book that really allows you and your kids to have some fun with your imagination and creativity. with something as simple as your own fingerprints!
Start of with the basic thumb print fairy. Then move on to your dancing, singing, and playing fairies.
Fairies obviously need little pet friends–butterflies, birds, and dwarves–or other accessories–potions, wands, and crowns.
Create your own fairy world. You’ll need trees, mushrooms, waterfalls, rainbows, flowers, and the sun.
This book will also show you how to create a FAIRY PRINCESS and a UNICORN!
There’s so much more to discover in this wonderful little book that’s full of it’s own activities.
Just make sure you have a bunch of different ink colors or or water colors and a cup of water. You’ll definitely need a wet paper towel.
Grab your copy of this enchanting book HERE>
****Some of these links are affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I may get a very small commission. This money goes towards postage and supplies to keep books and ideas in the hands of young readers!
HANNAH RIALS: A Maryville native and current college student at University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Hannah began writing her first novel at age twelve. Eight years later, the result is her new YA novel Ascension; a modern day teenage romance filled with “double-blooded” vampires and revenge-seeking witches. When not spending time with her family and playing with her beloved Corgis, Buddy and Noel, Hannah leads a creative group, crafts and cultivates her writing skills. Connect with Hannah on Facebook, Twitter and via her website.
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The day has come! The much-anticipated release of Ascension by Hannah Rials is finally HERE!
Enter this world of vampires, set in the south, and realize you are being pulled in more—and deeper—with each page.
Steeped in the mystery, intrigue and rich history of New Orleans and the secretive world of the Deuxsang, teen vampire, Cheyenne, and her forbidden love, Eli, embark on a very different, and vastly more dangerous, journey as the net of betrayal tightens around them. This intense and fresh novel is enchanting, engrossing and impossible to put down right up to the cliffhanger ending. Remember, the end is not the end.
What an extraordinary debut novel with new and intriguing twists on vampires—a strong female protagonist as one. I already can’t wait for book two.-Jill Murphy Long, author of The Conduit
This book is by the far the BEST YA/Adult fiction that I’ve read in a very long while. So exciting!-Rebecca F
The wait is over-Ascension is here! Thrilling and entertaining, like the experience on a crazy roller coaster. Hannah has grown into the most amazing writer. Watching her journey has been as much fun as holding the book in my hands. A “must read” for YA and thriller fans!-Valarie B
Grab your copy of Ascension HERE and visit Hannah on Facebook, Twitter and on her website.
The post Finger Print: Princesses and Fairies and 100 Other Magical Creatures! appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
October 16, 2016
An Opportunity for Authors and Publishers: Multicultural Children’s Book Day
The cooler temps and the changing color of the leaves tells me many things here in TN. Autumn is abundant with fun hikes in the Great Smokey Mountains and thoughts of upcoming holidays. But there is one holiday in particular, one that I helped co-create, that has got me especially giddy with excitement! Our 4th Multicultural Children’s Book Day online holiday is just a few short months away and the way time flies, before you know it January 27, 2017 will be upon us.
Anyone who knows me knows that I am incredibly passionate about reading and children’s literature. The MCCBD holiday also allows us to raise awareness for the need for diversity in children’s literature and get those books INTO the hands of young readers. For authors, organizations, parents, educators, publishers, it’s also an excellent opportunity to reap the rewards of this vibrant and well-established event.
That being said, I am excited to announce that not only are the Sponsorship opportunities now available for MCCBD 2017, we have all sorts of great plans for this next event!
We have officially opened up Sponsorships for MCCBD 2017 and there has been great interest in the top spots already. If your publishing company, organization or author would like to remain involved in Multicultural Children’s Book Day please head over to our Sponsorship Page and lock in your spot. This page also shares extended details as to the perks that each sponsorship level can expect. Spots are already filling up so don’t delay!
Don’t forget, the social media reach for the 2016 was simply amaze-balls (and we believe it will be even bigger and better in 2017).
As you may know, our next event is on January 27, 2017 and promises to be even bigger and better than ever! Things are heating up already and these last few weeks have been filled with very powerful conversations, plans and collaborations. Stay tuned for more exciting news.
Also, our free diversity children’s books for classroom campaign is BACK! Once again Junior Library Guild is gifting MCCBD with 200 library-quality multicultural books for all grades. In 2016, over 180 classrooms benefited from this campaign and we are thrilled to be able to offer it again. If you know of a classroom, library or school that would like a free children’s book, have them go HERE to sign up. We also need review bloggers to review the hundreds of quality books that publishers and authors will be graciously donating.BUT HERE’S WHAT EXTRA AWESOME FOR 2017; In years past, we asked for BLOGGERS to sign up to receive a free book in return for a review on their blog which they linked up on January 27th. This year, we are thrilled to expand our invitation for a FREE diversity book to review, along with the optional book extension activity to blog posts, to social media platforms: Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.
In a nutshell; you don’t have to be a blogger to review multicultural children’s books for the MCCBD 2017 holiday! You just need to have a love of diversity in children’s literature and be willing to share on your social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or YouTube. Just pick one of these three social media platforms that you are most comfortable on and post your review for everyone to read and enjoy there. When signing up to be one of our book reviewers simply indicate which platform(s) you plan to post your review on in the “blog URL” space on the below Google sign up form that can be found HERE.
As always, the team at MCCBD truly appreciates your support
October 14, 2016
Getting Ready for World Dragon Day!
World Dragon Day 2016 is this Saturday the 15th of October!
People around the world will be coming together to celebrate Dragons in all their awesomeness!! Find out about the events and people in these pages – and connect with other people who love Dragons.
The Dragon Energies are helping us to discover co-creative skills to help us solve our human problems. They teach us to transform and cleanse old negative energy patterns to make way for the new inspirational energies now available. Their goal is to strengthen and expand our perception of the interconnection of all living things on the planet. The Dragons lead us to improve communication and mutual understanding, allowing us to reach peaceful solutions where everyone is a winner. World Dragon Day
So why are Dragons here?
The answer to that question varies from person to person and even country to country. My personal belief is that Dragons are here to be our friends. How do I know? Well, as a child my brother and I had a Dragon friend for two whole summers in Gotland, Sweden! Here’s what I learned about Dragons.
Dragon Facts:
Dragons love BOOKs!
Check out my #DragonsAreReal Dragon Booklist for Middle Readers
And a Dragon Booklist for Beginning Readers!
Dragons love to PLAY!
How about a Dragon-filled activity time just for kids? Grab my Dragons Are Real Activity Guide that inspires Screen Free Time HERE. (it’s FREE!)
Dragons love music and love to sing!
Check out this beautiful, spine-tingling Dragon song which was recorded in a special version for World Dragon Day by the wonderful Gabriella Songbird! Great Gratitude and Love to Gabriella for giving this gift to people around the world – and to the Dragons,who are indeed returning!
My book Dragons Are Real is a children’s picture book that has received many glowing reviews including one (plus a star!) from Kirkus Reviews. Kirkus even included Dragons Are Real as a featured book in their July Magazine. You can find deeper details about Dragons here and also here.
To everyone who helped make this book not only a huge success, but let the story of Dragons among us be told, THANK YOU!
The post Getting Ready for World Dragon Day! appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
October 13, 2016
Helping Kids Learn About Money-How The Moonjar Was Made
{Guest post by Becky Flansburg}
Talking to children about money can be challenging. Parents often wonder where to start with such a complex topic, but teaching good, life-long money skills is one of the most important things we can do with our children. My kids may be older, but I still struggle to help them understand the value of a dollar and the importance of not blowing their money just because they have some!
Eulalie Scanduizzi, founder of Moonjar, has written two children’s books to get the conversation started and I love the fun and whimsical way she goes about Helping Kids Learn About Money.
‘How The Moonjar Was Made’ chronicles Noom and Raj – a dreamer and a thinker – who work together to learn about the three S’s: Saving, Spending and Sharing.
The knowledge they gain leads them to create the Moonjar Moneybox and they make their dreams possible. Children delight in reading the book and being hands-on with the Classic Moonjar Moneybox as they use their own money and divide it up among the Save, Spend and Share sections.
The story behind how the metal body of the Moonjar came to be is thoroughly entertaining and I could totally see an inventive child coming to this conclusion! The coin slots are big enough for international coinage and even for folded dollar bills.
Moonjar (moon-jar)
Moon: To shoot for the moon”; to go after dreams and goals.
Jar: Following an ancient custom where wishes or dreams are written down and placed in a special jar for future celebration!
Moon+Jar= Moonjar!
In ‘Noom & Raj Start a Business: The ABC’s of Money,’ they become business partners and open up a lemonade stand. In this book, children will learn the ABC’s of money and finance as they travel with the characters on a journey filled with unexpected adventures. Every book comes with a Moonjar Moneybox tucked inside! For more information about Moonjar, go to https://www.moonjar.com.
WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD — Small parts. Not for children under 3 yrs.
GIVEAWAY!!!
GIVEAWAY DETAILS
ONE winner will receive a copy of How The Moonjar Was Made book and one Moonjar Moneybank. Giveaway begins 10/13/16
Prizing & samples courtesy of Authors of the above books
Giveaway open to US addresses only
ONE lucky winner will win one copy of How The Moonjar Was Made book and one Moonjar Moneybank
Residents of USA only please.
Must be 18 years or older to enter
One entry per household.
Staff and family members of Audrey Press are not eligible.
Grand Prize winner has 48 hours to claim prize
Winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter on 10/21/16
The post Helping Kids Learn About Money-How The Moonjar Was Made appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
October 10, 2016
A Picture Book About Kindness and Overcoming Fears-Peep and Egg: I’m Not Trick or Treating
This week I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to review Peep and Egg: I’m Not Trick or Treating by author Laura Gehl. The book is truly a book not only about facing fears, but being kind and compassionate as well. Laura has crafted this special book in a way that it gives us a fresh look a being afraid, and especially being afraid on Halloween. It’s a wonderfully fresh and inventive spin on a holiday that so many of us love.
Laura is going us today with a wonderful guest post about her books and her writing journey. Enjoy!
After I presented to a gym full of preschool, kindergarten, and first grade students this week, a teacher asked me a funny question: “Do you have an egg of your own?”
The teacher wasn’t asking if I had a hard-boiled egg in my lunch. She was actually asking if I have a capital-E Egg in my life…a child like the character Egg in the Peep and Egg series.
In Peep and Egg: I’m Not Hatching, Egg is scared to leave her safe, cozy shell. For every fun experience big sister Peep talks about, from watching the sunrise to counting the stars, Egg sees only the scary side.
In Peep and Egg: I’m Not Trick or Treating, Egg has found the courage to leave her shell. Now, Peep is excited to celebrate Halloween with her little sister, but Egg is thinking about vampires, mummies, and ghosts lurking around every corner. Egg is not trick or treating. No way, no how.
In my presentation, I showed the kids my Big Bag of Super Scary Stuff. I told them I was too scared to take anything out of the bag. But if any students were brave enough, they could reach inside.
Several kids did reach into the bag, and found terrifying items like a stuffed dog and a wooden candle. After shrieking in terror as each item was revealed, I asked the kids why they thought I had brought the Big Bag of Super Scary Stuff to their school. One kindergartener nailed it: “To show us it is okay to be scared.”
We talked about how kids are scared of all different things—dogs, candles, and, of course, Halloween. We talked about how grown-ups are scared of things too. And I tried to make sure the message of Peep and Egg came through loud and clear: we all have fears, and we can all overcome those fears.
This brings us back to that question: ”Do you have an Egg of your own?” And the answer is yes; in fact, I have a few. Between my four kids, we’ve dealt with common fears, like needles and the dark, and less common fears, like earthworms. There’s no doubt that the Peep and Egg series was inspired by my own life experiences—the fears, and also the gentle sibling love that Peep and Egg share.
I’ve heard from teachers, parents, school counselors, and librarians who have used Peep and Egg to discuss fears with kids. Between the comforting repetition of the lines “I’m not hatching!” or “I’m not trick or treating!” and Joyce Wan’s adorable drawings, the Peep and Egg books set a safe, inviting stage for these types of conversations.
It makes me so happy when I hear that Peep and Egg might be helping the little “Eggs” out there crack their fears, even just a bit. As for my own “Eggs,” my 6-year-old has finally started sleeping with the light off, and that’s pretty egg-ceptional in my book!
**Click any of the book images above to buy your own Peep and Egg book
**Some of these links are affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I may get a very small commission.
This money goes towards postage and supplies to keep books and ideas in the hands of young readers!
Bio: Laura Gehl is the author of One Big Pair of Underwear, a Charlotte Zolotow Highly Commended Title, International Literacy Association Honor Book, and Booklist Books for Youth Editors’ Choice; Hare and Tortoise Race Across Israel and And Then Another Sheep Turned Up (both PJ library selections); and the Peep and Egg series. A former science and reading teacher, she also writes about science for children and adults. Laura lives in Chevy Chase, Maryland with her husband and four children. Visit her online at www.lauragehl.com and www.Facebook.com/AuthorLauraGehl.
Giveaway Details!
ONE winner will receive a copy of Peep and Egg: I’m Not Trick or Treating. Giveaway begins 10/10/16
Prizing & samples courtesy of Authors of the above books
Giveaway open to US addresses only
ONE lucky winner will win one copy of each of the above books.
Residents of USA only please.
Must be 18 years or older to enter
One entry per household.
Staff and family members of Audrey Press are not eligible.
Grand Prize winner has 48 hours to claim prize
Winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter on 10/18/16
The post A Picture Book About Kindness and Overcoming Fears-Peep and Egg: I’m Not Trick or Treating appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
October 9, 2016
Weekend Links: Curious About Children’s Book Folklore? Me too
Welcome to Weekend Links! October is already flying by! How is that possible?? Perhaps life is moving fast because I am! After returning from recent trips to Gotland and Spain (two different trips) I am scrambling to get caught up on reading and planning. One thing I’ve noticed is that I have a renewed fascination with folklore; Children’s Book Folklore to be exact. That awakened interest has also been evident in my recent blog post, bookjumps and book reviews. Here are some of my top picks.
It’s not secret that I am HUGE fan of author/illustrator, Demi. I personally appreciate the way she unfolds a story whether a classic folktale, religious figure, or cultural celebration has always greatly captivated my attention. Add on top of that her amazing and gorgeous illustrations and you have what I consider a treasure trove from book heaven. Here is a roundup booklist that I did awhile back on 19 Books Celebrating China with Author Demi
The Secret Child by Marti Healy (And a little look at Fairy Folklore!)
The Secret Child by Marti Healy is a timeless and whimsical children’s tale that will appeal to a wide range of ages; its one of those favorite books cherished by more than one generations.
Of course I had to delve into the enchanting world of Fairy Folklore with Encyclopedia of Fairies in World Folklore and Mythology by Theresa Bane and more!
A Ride on the Red Mare’s Back Review and a look at Swedish Folklore
I have this collection of beautiful red dala horses from Dalarna Sweden. I’ve always wondered why they originated and if there is a folkloric story behind them.
Learn more about this wonderful folklore and the book that inspired it HERE.
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Whispering Woods-Tales from the Caledonian Forest (and some Scottish Folklore)
Whispering Woods-Tales from the Caledonian Forest is a magical and enchanting walk through the Scottish forest told by Alan Crawford and exquisitely illustrated by Susan Gray. Read the full post HERE.
Authors & Publishers: Sponsorship Info for 2017
Our Medallion Level Sponsorships (Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze) and our Author Sponsorships for MCCBD 2017 ARE OPEN!! View 2016’s Sponsors and Authors Sponsors. We look forward to working with you! Go HERE for details and 2017 rates.
Would you like to be a Review for MCCBD 2017 and Receive aFree Diversity Book?
Bloggers can go here to sign up via a Google Sign-up and review a multicultural children’s book for this event. MCCBD is also open to reviewers do not have a blog, but have a strong presence on Facebook and LinkedIn.
How It Works
Bloggers are then “matched” with an author or publisher that will supply them with a free children’s book to review. Bloggers are encouraged to read the books and share their thoughts on the book (a basic book review) in the form of a blog post.Many bloggers add a book extension activity. Go HERE for the full details and instructions.
Once their book review blog post is live (any time between January 1 and January 27th is good), bloggers are invited to “link up” their blog post on the Linky that will be found on any of our CoHosts’ sites and also the MCCBD website. This linky will go live on January 27th..
(NOTE: We will not be shipping out any books for the 2017 online event until Nov/Dec of 2016!)
Direct all questions and inquires to becky (at) multiculturalchildrensbookday (dot) com
The post Weekend Links: Curious About Children’s Book Folklore? Me too appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
