Valarie Budayr's Blog, page 75
April 19, 2015
Weekend Links Earth Day, Garden and Other Assorted Book Fun
Welcome to Weekend Links!
So far this month has been jam-packed with insightful education, booklists, outdoor activities and cool nature resources for kids and parents interested in raising global citizens. I would like to share them this weekend as my Weekend Links Round-up. Enjoy!
Check out my guest post at Kid Lit Celebrates Women’s History Month; The Mother of Trees Wangari Maathai -so honored to be included!
This was shared by one of our dedicated readers Donna Marie and the it’s from the author of the Secret Garden’s house. Bookish Illuminations; Entering The Secret Garden at Great Maytham Hall. It’s fantastic!!
How to Find Children’s Books in Spanish in One Easy Step from Spanish Playground
5 Amazing Multicultural Novels in Verse and the Kid Lit Blog via PragmaticMom
10 Simple Ways Kids Can Celebrate Earth Day-via Multicultural Kids Blogs
We Need Diverse Books Tells AWP 2015: Write Diverse Books That Sell via Publishers Weekly
Reading: It’s good for their health. Harper Collins Children’s Books
Grab it before it’s GONE! My Free Curious George Gets a Medal Rocketship Craft and Activity!
Get Out in to the Garden! Have you missed the last few Secret Garden Wednesdays? These are too much fun not to read!
Secret Garden Wednesday: Building a Bee Watering Hole
Secret Garden Wednesday: Robin Cake
Secret Garden Wednesday: Studying the Class of Hunger
Secret Garden Wednesday: Planting Time
Secret Garden Wednesday: Book-Inspired FUN
Secret Garden Wednesday: Perfectly Good Porridge
Secret Garden Wednesday: Garden in a Jar
Secret Garden Wednesday: Sticky Toffee Pudding
If you are in the mood for another and inactive 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 Weekend Links Earth Day, Garden and Other Assorted Book Fun appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
April 15, 2015
Secret Garden Wednesday: Wildflowers
Hello and welcome to our Secret Garden! Every Wednesday you can drop by here and find new and special happenings in the Secret Garden. There will be crafts, great food, fun and laughter. So please be sure to come by and see us in our Secret Garden created just for you.
We took a little adventure a couple of days ago and discovered a Secret Garden right in the middle of the forest. We were hiking in the Smoky Mountains, everyone around here knows that the wildflowers bloom over a few weeks and many of us get out to see the forest and mountain sides bloom out in color.
We took a side path and walked ourselves into an ancient moss covered forest. Surrounded completely by mountains we walked deep into the enclosed valley to discover the most enchanted vision I’ve ever seen in nature.
The forest floor was completely covered in blooming phlox, may apples and another little tiny white flower I don’t know the name of. Moss one inch thick covered fallen trees and branches as well as the trunks of living trees.
We were all alone here in this ancient wood. The only sounds were that of a water fall off in the distance, the cacophony of birds and the buzzing of bees.
One of the most important things missing from these photos is the smell. I’ve never smelled anything as this blooming forest. It made us heady with delight. We spent over an hour in this forest soaking it all in. Soon other wildflower enthusiasts joined us and it was nice to meet people who shared in this moment of Secret Garden bliss.
I learned a big lesson on this hike, that a Secret Garden doesn’t have to be behind a wall locked away with a key but can be found in our daily wanderings.
This week I challenge you to find a secret garden near you. It might be behind a wall, it might be under a big tree, it might be in the forest near your home, or behind a log that’s drifted in from the ocean. Wherever it is, go and find it! Cherish those hidden moments in nature’s Secret Gardens!
Have you missed the last few Secret Garden Wednesdays? These are too much fun not to read!
Secret Garden Wednesday: Building a Bee Watering Hole
Secret Garden Wednesday: Robin Cake
Secret Garden Wednesday: Studying the Class of Hunger
Secret Garden Wednesday: Planting Time
Secret Garden Wednesday: Book-Inspired FUN
Secret Garden Wednesday: Perfectly Good Porridge
Secret Garden Wednesday: Garden in a Jar
Secret Garden Wednesday: Sticky Toffee Pudding
Want to enjoy more month-by-month activities based on the classic children’s tale, The Secret Garden? A Year in the Secret Garden is over 120 pages, with 150 original color illustrations and 48 activities for your family and friends to enjoy, learn, discover and play with together. A Year In the Secret Garden is our opportunity to introduce new generations of families to the magic of this classic tale in a modern and innovative way that creates special learning and play times outside in nature. This book encourages families to step away from technology and into the kitchen, garden, reading nook and craft room. Learn more, or grab your copy HERE.
The post Secret Garden Wednesday: Wildflowers appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
April 12, 2015
Blast Off! Free Curious George Gets a Medal Rocketship Craft and Activity!
Book Designer and Audrey Press Team Member Roscoe Welply originally created this delightful bookjump and craft for his own boys. The result was so enchanting we felt we need to do something special with it.
For those who don’t know, Roscoe is the book designer and graphic designer behind much of JIAB and Audrey Press’ images. Roscoe was also the creative genius behind the graphics in both The Fox Diaries: The Year The Foxes Came to Our Garden and the wildly popular The Ultimate Guide to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
We hope you enjoy jumping into the book Curious George Gets a Medal and delight in this in-depth rocket making tutorial.
How about a fun (and FREE) rocketship craft and activity for the little adventurer in your family?
It’s my gift to YOU. Click the image below and grab your FREE tutorial. Enjoy! 
The post Blast Off! Free Curious George Gets a Medal Rocketship Craft and Activity! appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
April 9, 2015
Confederate History Month: A Civil War Booklist
Many may already know that April marks the start of Confederate History Month, but another interesting fact is that this year marks the milestone of 150 years since the end of the Civil War. On April 9th and nationwide recognition of this event will take place in the form of ringing bells at 2:15. This time and date marks 150 years from when Union General Ulyses S. Grant met with Confederate General Robert E. Lee at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, to set the terms of surrender of Lee’s army.
“Confederate History Month is a month annually designated by six state governments in the Southern United States for the purpose of recognizing and honoring the history of the Confederate States of America. April has traditionally been chosen, as Confederate Memorial Day falls during that month in many of these states.“-Wikipedia
The American Civil War, also known as ‘The War Between the States’, was bloody and raged from 1861 to 1865. It was when 11 Southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America (“the Confederacy”).
The Confederacy fought for its independence from the United States and opposed the end of slavery, which existed as a legal institution in North America for more than a century before the formation of the United States in 1776.
-The Network Journal
Ways to Celebrate by Reading
The Civil War for Kids: A History with 21 Activities (For Kids series)
If You Lived At The Time Of The Civil War By Kay Moore
Hold The Flag High by Catherine Clinton
Mr. Lincoln’s Drummer by G. Clifton Wisler
Pink and Say-by Patricia Polacco
Shades of Gray by Carolyn Reeder
Behind Rebel Lines: The Incredible Story of Emma Edmonds, Civil War Spy by Seymour Reit (Author)
A Confederate Girl: The Diary of Carrie Berry by Carrie Berry and Anne Todd
Note from Valarie: If you are in the mood for another and inactive 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 Confederate History Month: A Civil War Booklist appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
April 8, 2015
Secret Garden Wednesday: What To Do When Bees Get Thirsty ?
Hello and welcome to our Secret Garden! Every Wednesday you can drop by here and find new and special happenings in the Secret Garden. There will be crafts, great food, fun and laughter. So please be sure to come by and see us in our Secret Garden created just for you.
Happy Spring to You! Today on Secret Garden Wednesday we’re going to dive into the world of Bees. I know Spring is finally here because I’ve just spotted one of our pollinating friends the bumble bee over the weekend. As the temperatures rise the buzz in the air is loud. Day by day more and more plants and flowers are blooming. This is all thanks to pollinators such as bees, hummingbirds, bats, wasps and so on. Without them we would simply die.
Side Note about Bees:
Bees play a key role in the productivity of agriculture and the beauty of our world and are responsible for the pollination of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and flowers. But our cherished bees are facing peril in the form of the disruption of natural habitats. This disruption is in the form of lack of “bee flowers” due to the widespread overuse of pesticides, and numerous bee diseases and parasites have pushed bees to the tipping point. But Jump Into a Book readers can do their part by planting “bee-friendly flowers” and not treating those same flowers with pesticides (insecticides, fungicides or herbicides). That simple act can help to keep bees healthy and on their own six feet.
Did You Know…
To get one pound of honey, that’s 16 oz requires 1,152 bees traveling 112,000 miles, visiting 4.5 Million flowers ?
With all of this traveling and the heat of summer, bees can get really thirsty. For a bee to drink water they need a surface to land on. To ensure that the bees are not only well fed but well watered too, let’s create a watering hole for them.
A Bee Watering Hole
Supplies:
Flower pot saucer
Rocks which you’ve collected or purchased at a craft store
Water
Directions
Arrange the rocks in the flower pot saucer.
Add water until water covers the bottom half of the rocks.
Place outside near flowers
Inside A Year in the Secret Garden we explore the world of bees as we make a bee house/hive to attract bees into your garden. Though our garden might be a secret we always need bees and other pollinators inside to help our gardens grow.
Have you missed the last few Secret Garden Wednesdays? These are too much fun not to read!
Secret Garden Wednesday: Robin Cake
Secret Garden Wednesday: Studying the Class of Hunger
Secret Garden Wednesday: Planting Time
Secret Garden Wednesday: Book-Inspired FUN
Secret Garden Wednesday: Perfectly Good Porridge
Secret Garden Wednesday: Garden in a Jar
Secret Garden Wednesday: Sticky Toffee Pudding
Want to enjoy more month-by-month activities based on the classic children’s tale, The Secret Garden? A Year in the Secret Garden is over 120 pages, with 150 original color illustrations and 48 activities for your family and friends to enjoy, learn, discover and play with together. A Year In the Secret Garden is our opportunity to introduce new generations of families to the magic of this classic tale in a modern and innovative way that creates special learning and play times outside in nature. This book encourages families to step away from technology and into the kitchen, garden, reading nook and craft room. Learn more, or grab your copy HERE.
The post Secret Garden Wednesday: What To Do When Bees Get Thirsty ? appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
April 7, 2015
Tiny Creatures: The World of Microbes
The tiniest creatures accomplish some of the biggest jobs on the planet.
This beautifully illustrated and cleverly written guide invites us into the microscopic world of microbes.
Zoologist and author Nicola Davies welcomes us into the microscopic world in her book Tiny Creatures The world of Microbes.
Taking us on a journey through a microbe’s minute size, to their multiplying sills turning one microbe into millions, to their diverse shape forms, and the variety roles they play in the world, Tiny Creatures in an invitation to go exploring.
Using wonderful and clear analogies such as an antenna on an ant would need to be as big as a whale to see all the micro-organisms on its antenna. This book is beautifully illustrated by Emily Sutton and brings to life all of the amazing and cool facts about microbes. It supports the text wonderfully.
Davies focuses on the positive things that microbes do such as composting soil, making yogurt and helping to make our air good and clean to breathe.
We really like the part about germs which make us sick, how they multiply and how to prevent illness from happening in the first place.
I really loved this book because it leaves its readers in a state of wonder and has us wanting to know more about the invisible world of microbes.
Something To Do
How to Compost
In her book Tiny Creatures: The World of Microbes author Nicola Davies shares with us that one of the ways microbes do their finest work is breaking down dead material into soil. Composting is one of the easiest ways to see this work up close. You, along with those microbes are going to create rich soil called humus to put into your garden.
Composting creates soil for plants filled with nutrients they need to flourish
Compost is made from items you usually throw away in your home.
Composting is Earth friendly as it reduces the garbage we send to the landfill.
Here’s how it works:
When organic scraps ( think green and brown) are put into a compost bin, the combination of nitrogen and carbon invite tiny microbes, insects, and worms to break down the organic matter into soil. This is called decomposition. The rich nutrient filled soil is called humus.
What Can You Put into a Compost Bin
1. Greens (Nitrogen) All vegetable and fruit produce, grass clippings, coffee grounds, and weeds that haven’t gone to seed.
2. Browns (Carbon) Dried leaves, paper towel/toilet paper rolls, newspaper, cardboard, paper egg cartons, and saw dust.
Other: I also throw in egg shells into my compost. It’s not a green or a brown but it breaks down wonderfully.
Keep a 50/50 balance of brown and greens in your compost bin.
3. Water Compost needs water so that the microbes, insects, and worms can do their thing.
4. Air: Compost piles need air. If your compost bin is made our of chicken wire, no problem. If you have a closed container, you’ll need to stir it every few weeks with a compost stir pick.
How to make an easy Compost Bin
Once your compost bin has been built and you’ve started adding scraps and water to it, see how soon it is before you start seeing potato bugs, little flies, worms etc. Mark on a calendar daily what you see and how long it takes for the compost scraps to break down into humus.
Has your family tried composting and putting your own Tiny Microbes to work?
Would you like to discover more fun and nature-filled activities for your family?
How about some month-by-month activities based on the classic children’s tale, The Secret Garden? A Year in the Secret Garden is over 120 pages, with 150 original color illustrations and 48 activities for your family and friends to enjoy, learn, discover and play with together. A Year In the Secret Garden is our opportunity to introduce new generations of families to the magic of this classic tale in a modern and innovative way that creates special learning and play times outside in nature. This book encourages families to step away from technology and into the kitchen, garden, reading nook and craft room. Learn more, or grab your copy HERE.
The post Tiny Creatures: The World of Microbes appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
April 5, 2015
Weekend Links Great Booklists and Links for Moms and Kiddos
Welcome to Weekend Links! First let me start off by saying that I wish everyone a happy and blessed Easter.
Weekend Links is my chance to share all of the amazing book-related goodness that I have encountered over the course of the past week. So much is going on lately! Holidays, observances, Spring Break and the promise of an equally busy summer. So much to do…so much to share! BUT, for now I want to share these little pieces of gold from the interwebs.
There are most certainly a few favorites here! 15 Important Pieces Of Wisdom Found In Children’s Books
35 Multicultural Early Chapter Books for Kids From What Do We Do All Day?
Top Ten Picture Books Celebrating Diversity by Jennifer McLaughlin http://wp.me/p21t9O-21L via the Nerdy Book Club
This post was such a hit this week when I shared it from our archives, I thoughts I’d add it to Weekend Links just for fun. 10 Ways to Make the World More Beautiful with Miss Rumphius
April 2nd was International Children’s Book Day and we did a great round-up of blog posts and booklists HERE PLUS I am giving away a $50 Amazon Gift Card!
If you are in the mood for another and inactive 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 Weekend Links Great Booklists and Links for Moms and Kiddos appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
April 2, 2015
April 2nd is International Children’s Book Day #ReadYourWorld Giveaway
International Children’s Book Day is celebrated every 2 April, inspiring children to pick up a book and get reading!
April the 2nd was chosen to mark this day for young literature lovers as it’s the same date as Hans Christian Andersen’s birthday, the author of many famous children’s stories like The Little Mermaid and The Ugly Duckling.
Organised by the International Board on Books For Young People, or IBBY, the aim is to promote books and reading to young people. IBBY was founded in Zurich, Switzerland in 1953 and today there are 70 National Sections from all parts of the world.
During International Children’s Book Day there will be a number of events held around the world, including writing competitions and talks from famous authors and illustrators.
It’s no secret how much I love children’s book and especially those books celebrating diversity within it’s pages. It just seemed fitting that I ferret out the best booklists I could find on the subject and share them here with you in honor of this important day. AND…I want to give a readers the gift of being able to but their own books so I am also celebrating with this $50 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway!! (more details in a bit).
books about race and multiculturalism from HelloBee
At the The Logonauts: Multicultural Nonfiction Picture Books
At Delightful Children’s Books-Read Around the World
At All Done Moneky- Children’s Books About Friendship Around the World
The Educators’ Spin On It: Diverse Books in Your Home Library: Parenting Global Kids
A HUGE collection of Multicultural Children’s Book reviews, activities and blog can be found posts on the Multicultural Children’s Book Day blog!
Giveaway Time! One lucky winner will win a $50 Amazon Gift card to put towards building their own wonderful library!
GIVEAWAY DETAILS
ONE winner will receive a $50 Amazon Gift card. Giveaway begins April 2nd-April 10th
ONE lucky winner will win one Amazon $50 Gift Card
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 April 11, 2015
The post April 2nd is International Children’s Book Day #ReadYourWorld Giveaway appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
April 1, 2015
Secret Garden Wednesday: Celebrating Spring with Robin Cake
Every Wednesday you can drop by here and find new and special happenings in the Secret Garden. There will be crafts, great food, fun and laughter. So please be sure to come by and see us in our Secret Garden created just for you.
Happy Spring to You !!!! Today on Secret Garden Wednesday I’m giving a public service announcement to buy those Cadbury Eggs while they’re here. This weekend is Easter weekend and the stores are loaded with those delectable creamy eggs.
I’m not giving this egg advisory for eggs sake oh no, I have other motives in mind.
While creating A Year in the Secret Garden one of the activities we had the most fun with was our Robin Cakes. Robin Cakes are creamy cupcakes with a cadbury egg in the center, an egg which is whole and does not melt. It’s so magical !!! On top of the robin cake we spread a creamy vanilla frosting and then create the cutest little robin to go on top. These cakes are hit at any party.
I buy those cute little cadbury eggs during Easter time and put them in my freezer so I can make Robin Cakes all spring and summer long. So take heed and go get yourself some Cadbury Eggs, the small ones so you can have this delectable and adorable treat all Spring and Summer long.
Have you missed the last few Secret Garden Wednesdays? These are too much fun not to read!
Secret Garden Wednesday: Studying the Class of Hunger
Secret Garden Wednesday: Planting Time
Secret Garden Wednesday: Book-Inspired FUN
Secret Garden Wednesday: Perfectly Good Porridge
Secret Garden Wednesday: Garden in a Jar
Secret Garden Wednesday: Sticky Toffee Pudding
Want to enjoy more month-by-month activities based on the classic children’s tale, The Secret Garden? A Year in the Secret Garden is over 120 pages, with 150 original color illustrations and 48 activities for your family and friends to enjoy, learn, discover and play with together. A Year In the Secret Garden is our opportunity to introduce new generations of families to the magic of this classic tale in a modern and innovative way that creates special learning and play times outside in nature. This book encourages families to step away from technology and into the kitchen, garden, reading nook and craft room. Learn more, or grab your copy HERE.
The post Secret Garden Wednesday: Celebrating Spring with Robin Cake appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
Elephant Dance: A Journey to India by Theresa Heine {Guest Post by Hannah Rials}
Guest post from Hannah Rials
Summary:
When Ravi’s grandfather comes to visit from India, Ravi and his family learn a lesson about their homeland. Ravi’s grandfather tells them of the sun that is like a roaring tiger, of the wind that is like a wild horse. He tells them of the snow-tipped Himalayan mountains that are like ice cream. After a traditional Indian meal, Grandfather talks about elephants, the beautiful Indian elephants. Together. Ravi, his sister Anjali, and Grandfather drew a map of India, shaped like an elephants ear. They drew in all the animals, the big Ganges river, the elephant forest, the roaring sun and the ice cream mountains. Then Ravi played an elephant dance on his bamboo flute that he got at the market. He goes to bed, and in his dreams, as he plays his bamboo flute, an elephant does a silent dance.
Opinion:
I loved this book! Most people now are not able to travel as often as we would like to. It’s nice when different countries are able to be brought to our imagination with stories. Elephant Dance beautifully illustrates the rich Indian culture through a grandfather’s memory and love of a country. The illustrations are beautiful and colorful, perfectly complimentary to this fabulous story. Be sure to check out the information about India in the back of the book!
Something to do/Activities
Make your own Kite like Ravi’s that the wind like the wild horses can carry!
Coloring Your Own India Map:
What to Include:
The Ganges River
Himalayan Mountains
Elephant Forest
Deserts
Roaring tiger sun
Elephants
Monkey
Peacocks
Crocodiles
Snakes
Welcoming/Creating The Roaring Sun of India with crafts:
Born in the hills of Louisiana and raised in the mountains of Tennessee, Hannah Rials is an eighteen year old aspiring author and editor. Now a freshman in college, she’s been writing short stories since she was a little girl, but for the past several years, she has been writing, editing, and reediting a novel of her own that will soon be published by Audrey Press. Hannah has always loved reading and the world of books. With a librarian grandmother who can tell the most magical stories, how could she not fall in love with the written word? Her library collection and love for books grows every day.The post Elephant Dance: A Journey to India by Theresa Heine {Guest Post by Hannah Rials} appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
