Valarie Budayr's Blog, page 9

Happy Birthday Sherlock Holmes! Let’s Create and Decipher

William Sherlock Scott Holmes, best known as Sherlock Holmes, is the world’s only consulting detective, a profession he created for himself. Oddly enough, people are not 100% when this fictional character’s really is. Created by the Scottish writer Arthur Conan Doyle. The prototype for the modern mastermind detective, Holmes first appeared in Conan Doyle’s A Study in Scarlet, published in Beeton’s Christmas Annual of 1887.  Although, his creator author Sir Conan Doyle

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10 Ways to Make the World More Beautiful with Miss Rumphius

How many of you love Miss Rumphius? I Do! Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney is a classic. I’ve read it to a variety of nieces and nephews throughout the years, and my own children grab it often. Miss Rumphius is an old friend that we go back to again and again. Miss Rumphius is the life story of Miss Alice Rumphius (otherwise known as the Lupine Lady) as told by her young niece,

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A Book for Coaching Global Girls

As Book Birthday #3 for the popular non-fiction book, HOW TO COACH GIRLS, nears, the Audrey Press Team continues to be amazed by the feedback and comments from inspired coaches, parents, and volunteer coaches. Published in February of 2018 and written by Mia Wenjen and former Boston College Head Coach, Alison Foley, this book has continued to change lives all over the USA. Written with the goal of providing the

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Valarie Budayr Talks About A Year in the Secret Garden

Valarie Budayr shares the story of when she was young, she was drawn to play in the urban forest that was across the street from her childhood home.  In the suburbs was 24 acres of woodland that became the perfect place to run free and play. A constant companion during her adventures and pretend-play was the classic children’s book, The Secret Garden by Frances Hodges Burnett. Inspired by her favorite

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Edgy Dragon Books for Middle-Grade Readers

I’ve been doing a lot with dragons lately and in honor of my new book Dragons are Real (see the end of this post for the scoop) so I thought I’d share a few of our favorite dragon reads from our favorite dragon library. I started this recently with my Dragons are Real booklist for Beginning Readers and the more I dug, the more amazing dragon books I found! You may not know this

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Celebrating a Santa Lucia Christmas with Wish Cookies

Hope, like the gleaming taper’s light, Adorns and cheers our way, And still as darker grows the night, Emits a brighter ray. ~Oliver Goldsmith~  Photo by Claudia Grunder Every December 13th, we continue a long family tradition of celebrating St. Lucia. My parents were from Sweden and they brought this tradition along with them. In the darkest hours of the morning, a young girl with a wreath of candles on

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Cool Dragon Picture Books for Beginning Readers

In honor of my award-winning picture book, Dragons are Real, I’m sharing a few of my favorite dragon-y reads from our favorite dragon-themed library shelf. You may not know this but Dragons love to read and are actually book hoarders. So if you’re missing a book, there’s a good chance a dragon took it! I should know because I’ve had my very own dragon friend since I was 7. Look for

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Supporting Small Businesses During Challenging Times

Audrey Press is ❀ Woman-Owned & Independent Small Business ❀ Shop Small First! As the Shop Small Movement gains momentum, local officials across the nation take notice and move to promote the day even more than ever thanks to all of the challenges that 2020 has brought upon Americans. Why is it more important than ever to support small businesses (online and off)? Small businesses give back to the community

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Celebrating Swedish Christmas Traditions and Foods

On any given day, you may hear as many as six different languages spoken in my home. My life and household have been diverse and multicultural for as long as I can remember. As the daughter of parents who emigrated from Sweden, I have been immersed in Nordic culture since childhood. So as you can imagine,  Celebrating Swedish Christmas Traditions and Foods, and also recognizing Santa Lucia has been a

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Ways to Crush Your Holiday Shopping List Mask-Free!

The sweat is rolling down your back. Your facemask is inching its way up to your cheeks and all it will take is one more wiggle to send it straight into your eyeballs. Your stomach rolls because you are hungry as heck and the person in front of you in line smells like a delightful blend of chicken tenders and fresh-baked cookies. Your arms are so ladened with gifts that

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